Restaurant Review: Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar, La Jolla, California

Just north of San Diego, La Jolla is not only a small town devoted to the good life, it also is home to many wonderful restaurants. Located in the heart of downtown La Jolla, Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar is a glittery gem of a Japanese restaurant, though not in the classic sense. Instead, Roppongi mixes several Pacific Rim components with a definite European flair.

Upon entering the restaurant, the diner is aware that this is no ordinary sushi joint. Nicely appointed in dark fabrics and marble facades, booths are cleanly outlined, the bar area is glitzy yet inviting, and the entire room proclaims sophistication.

Roppongi features a tapas (small plate) menu, which includes some traditional Japanese fare such as miso soup. However, there are also many inventive offerings with flavors from the rest of Asia, including chicken satays, Indian spiced Kefir cheese, Kung Pao calamari steak, Mongolian shredded duck quesadilla and an interesting item called a Polynesian crab stack. Tapas plates are like appetizer dishes, and there's plenty to share. In addition, there are creative soup and salad choices, making choosing just one thing nearly impossible.

Dinner entrees include pan-seared mahi mahi with pineapple salsa ($23.95), Mongolian shrimp with mango salsa and pineapple egg fried rice ($31.95), crispy Shelton Farm chicken breast with Hon Shimeji mushrooms ($22.50), a Kurobuta pork chop with demi glace ($28.95), and grilled filet mignon with sake braised shitake mushrooms ($37.95).

True, for the purists there is the traditional sushi, but at Roppongi, it's dressed in a tuxedo for a night on the town.

On a recent visit, we opted for a couple of tapas plates (the duck quesadilla and Chinese pot stickers), and variety of sushi rolls, including the tuna roll, caterpillar roll and Roppongi roll. A complete offering of sashimi and nigiri sushi is also available. Although that doesn't sound like a lot of food, it was more than enough for three to share.

Roppongi has a decent enough wine list, but my guest and I decided on Cosmopolitans that night, and they were excellent. Dinner prices are a little high, but the sushi and tapas are quite reasonably priced. We spent more that night on beverages.

If there was one dull spot to the evening, it was that our waiter was less than attentive. True, my guest and I were busy visiting, but he could have been a bit more solicitous. There were lapses of time that should have been covered with a flurry of dishware being removed or glasses refilled. In a restaurant of this caliber, perfection should be noted in both the food and the service. Even so, I would definitely return again.

This restaurant has been the recipient of many fine awards, including Zagat 2008 Best San Diego Restaurant, and Best Chef by Ranch and Coast (March 2008). Roppongi is part of the Ladeki Restaurant Group, and their other award-winning establishment is Sammy's Woodfired Pizza.

Sushi is available to go. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant or you can also use their web site to reserve a table. Valet parking is available, and I would strongly urge using it, especially for dinner reservations. The streets in La Jolla are narrow and winding, and it is both hard to find parking and easy to lose your way.

Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar
875 Prospect
La Jolla, California 92037
858.551.5252
www.roppongiusa.com