On dining alone, A LA MODE

I *did* end up mustering up the courage to eat at Roka by myself tonight (thanks to a couple of glasses of Australian Sav Blanc afterwork) -- and what a wonderful treat it was. I sat at the best spot on the counter around the open kitchen, directly in front of the executive chef. Being a young woman dining alone at a trendy restaurant has its perks: I was taken care of tremendously well. As soon as I sat down, the waiter brought out butterfish tataki over white asparagus, drizzled with a yuzu and soy sauce mixture, compliments of the chef. I craved sashimi and sea food, which is exactly what I ordered: a 5 sashimi platter, Roka grilled salad (beautiful), and a miso glazed sea bream (pictured above). Everyone from bus boys to waiters and waitresses checked in on me and made sure I had everything I wanted. The food was delicious and precisely what I craved, and the jasmine shochu was stunning. The restaurant was buzzy as the evening turned out to be a fabulous early summer eve. It was a treat to see how the executive chef, Guillaume (sp?), operated -- he was like a young Elvis Costello being an air traffic control center. Amazing number of orders, calm, patient orchestration of dishes to be grilled, plated and served, and directions to waiters and waitresses. I felt as if I were at the front seat of a phenomenal athletic event, or, better yet and perhaps more comparably, a theatrical extravaganza. As I finished my meal, paid the bill and got up to leave, the entire kitchen staff acknowledged my departure, to which I could not resist but saying, "I love this restaurant -- can't you open one in New York?" To which the lovely chef answered, "Well, next year, come visit us in Phoenix, where we are opening." Phoenix?! All I could say in response was, "I've never been to Phoenix, Arizona, but when I'm in town, I will look you up."

I truly feel Roka would do well in New York. A fabulous shochu bar and selection, fantastic, healthful robata-yaki (grilled) dishes... but in the immediate future, it seems us New Yorkers will have to travel to Arizona for it. Or Miami, as apparently they are opening a restaurant there, too. Miami seems more probable, but in the mean time, Roka is one of my favorite restaurants to revisit in London, as a couple, as a group, or, as I found out tonight, by myself. And I recommend sitting at the counter. Hey, David and I have seen Gwenyth Paltrow and Chris Martin dining there on a mellow Sunday evening -- it must be healthy! (If not exactly micro-biotic as Gwenyth is rumored to be.) I prefer Roka to Zuma, its more upscale sister restaurant. Highly, highly recommended.

TM