Sunday was the choice of day, a perfect way to end the week but a not pleasant way to start the next week, with a Monday hangover. I never knew it was even possible or normal to have a hangover on a Monday. Well I have certainly learnt my lesson… or maybe I have until next time.
One by one, we all arrived to our table in Aldwych, which situated in the most perfect spot in the restaurant. The most perfect amount of natural light hit our tables, giving us the very best chance of getting good quality photos.
We all greeted each other and settled down for what was going to be the most fun and boozy brunch at ROKA.
The waitress brought over some edamame that was coated in ginger and soy, with a selection of vegetables, pickled turnip, gherkins and kimchi.
Some of us had met for the first time after talking over social media for such a long time, and some of us were reuniting for the umpteenth time – it’s a good job we don’t get bored of one another, always something to gossip chat about.Ellie is a vegetarian and i’m not a huge lover of raw fish, therefore we were brought out a small selection of cucumber rolls to share between us, which were simple, refreshing and so delicious – especially dipped in a bit of soy sauce.
I think many restaurants have learnt that food bloggers can really drink. Our glasses were empty, after 20 minutes of being served our belini’s, but luckily the brunch was served with unlimited wine or red wine as stated on the menu. However, our waitress gave us the option of prosecco. Now everyone knows (even my little 14 year old cousin who follows me on Instagram!) that prosecco is a bloggers go to drink. You can imagine how all our faces lit up as we heard prosecco.
Pop goes the bottle of fizz and out come the glorious golden coloured drink. Mmmmm! At this point there was no turning back. The mark that went from very civilised bloggers to letting our guard down and becoming the most fun group of people you have ever met.
Next in the sharing starters was a couple of tomato salads with shiso and hijiki dressing. A lovely use of early picked tomatoes to give a crunchy texture with a sweet balsamic flavouring coming through behind it.
We were served a lovely, healthy stack of spinach with a sweet sesame dressing to even out the flavours. Again, simple yet delicious.
Followed by a 3 sashimi selection, which all the ladies were getting very excited for whilst Ellie and I sat back, nibbling on what was around us and watching them enjoy!
I have to admit it was beautifully presented, on a bed on ice keeping the sashimi chilled and with leaves and a slice on lemon for decoration.
We then had a massive helping of maki rolls served to us. Half the plate ws sake to avocado maki, which had raw salmon, avocado and wasabi tobiko. The other half was obi rural to avocado maki which was crispy prawn and avocado. I steered away from the raw salmon maki rolls but braved to try the crispy prawn rolls and there were delicious. I never thought the day would come that I actually liked sushi rolls, well the prawns were cooked but it definitely a start!
Next was a potato salad with egg, certainly wasn’t one of my favourite dishes but I had a try for completeness. However, the next two dishes were worth waiting for.
The vegetable tempura was so good! A winner around the table, I steered away from the prawns, as they were huge and some what frightening for a non-seafood eater. However, the ladies seemed to love them which proved that they were just as good as the vegetable tempura.
My favourite dish was the beef dumplings with ginger and sesame though. Absolutely, insanely good. I could have re-ordered them twenty times (but I didn’t!), dipped in a bit of soy sauce, they went down a real treat.
That concluded the starters. Yes… that was just the starters! Now onto the mains. Everyone picked one dish, and some of us had a little taste of everyone else’s – the benefit of dining with other foodies.
Emma ordered ROKA’s Gyuhireniku No Pirikara Yakiniku, a beef sirloin with chilli and spring onion. Cooked medium-rare, to perfection.
May ordered the Kobuta No Ribs Yawaraka Nikommyaki which were glazed baby back ribs with cashew nuts sprinkled over the top.
Angie ordered Tai No Miso-Yaki, a sea bream fillet with ryotei miso and red onion. As a huge seafood lover, Angie was loving it! It also had a lovely sweet glaze on top which really complimented the fish.
Lauren ordered the Sake Teriyaki, a salmon fillet glazed in teriyaki sauce and sansho salt. A delicious, chunky piece of fish that had the most exquisite flavours!
There was six bloggers that were completely and utterly full of delicious Japanese food, prosecco, exclaiming in utter happiness and mass amounts of laughter – just the way it should be.
But wait, there was more! A massive dessert platter was coming out for us, how exciting?! Sadly, May and I had to head out as the dessert arrived, so we quickly had a little taste of everything (including the massive famous ROKA chocolate Buddha) and ran out the door. This meant I wasn’t able to capture any photos of the dessert even though it was presented so beautifully. When I tell you it tasted divine, you should believe me.
SUCH FUN.
Thanks to ROKA Aldwych for having us, giving us the best service and serving truly fantastic food!
Until next time…
