Roka for lunch, Roka for dinner,
I’d even have Roka for breakfast.
Now you can too, only on Saturdays during November.
It’s no secret I’ve always been a fan of Roka the original at Charlotte street and the one at Mayfair for those very late lunches. So when they asked me to review their breakfast at 8:30am, I was out of bed in a flash. Admittedly, it wasn’t much of a commute from Marylebone to Mayfair.
Even this early in the morning, seeing the robata grill on and the chefs bustling about got the tastebuds going. I was ready to get my hands on the menu.
To start (all good breakfasts need a juice boost), this clever concoction of turmeric, pineapple, ginger and mango was an instant favourite, revitalizing and delicious. Normally I’m a green juice fan but this one won hands down.
For the breakfast booze, the cocktails were just right for a mini morning buzz. The peach and umeboshi Bellini had a wondrously weird salty flavour, but then you’d expect nothing less from the bartenders in here. The Bloody Mary was spicy-nicey with an extra kick of everything.
Ok brace yourself foodies, the granola with sobacha (roasted buckwheat) was scrumptious. It had a deliciously different nutty flavour, perhaps not for the sweet tooth, but that is a plus point for me.
The breakfast mains were individual servings, not designed for sharing.
The mushroom toban and shiso brioche was exceptional. I’d recommend it as an extra on any table, heavenly vegetarian and gluten-free.
All the dishes were exactly as described on the menu (no translations needed, unlike Roka news).
Straight away I fell for the Hamachi (yellowtail) “Kama†hook line and sinker, served with miso soup, rice and pickles, which I’d be happy with at any time of day.
For the more traditional breakfast lover, there’s poached eggs twisted.
Tokyo beni-smoked salmon, poached eggs under yuzu hollandaise sauce with a delicately flavoured shiso waffle, a brilliant take on Eggs Royale.
Or (and this has got to be a first) smashed avocado on squid ink toast!
Needless to say, as well as looking fantastic, the eggs were poached to perfection.
All in all a fabulous start to the morning, and a perfect way to load up before Christmas shopping, from now through every Saturday in November.