Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Rika, Rika

It sounds like the cry of an elegant bird, which is a good description for the type of women who will be decorating barstools at the new Rika in the Sunset Millenium complex. The complex was jumping Tuesday night as Fox TV stars huddled in the rain for a party at Central and food and restaurant people feted the opening of Rika. Tracy Griffith (sister of actress Melanie Griffith, if anyone cares), is one of the sushi chefs, with the title of "modern sushi chef." Griffith is the author of Sushi American Style which features creations such as BLT rolls, but last night's fare seemed more traditional, with tasty rolls, nigiri sushi and fusiony hors d'oeuvres. I heard that an earlier press dinner had featured some amazing Kobe beef as well. I ran into Sophie Gayot, who fortunately had not seen my Mexican restaurant challenge below, food writer/TV writer Jeff Hoyt, Bon Appetit's Lena Birnbaum, food writer Amelia Saltsman who has a cable show "Fresh from the Farmer's Market" and writers from the Asian culture site Chopping Block, which has a lovely picture of the steak sushi. It's an elegantly black-laquered and backlit glass space for looking out onto Sunset, and definitely a high-rollers kind of place.
Rika Restaurant and Diamond Lounge
8590 Sunset Blvd.
(310) 657-9500

4 comments:

LYT said...

That sushi American style sounds like a travesty to my poor ears. As if the California roll isn't a lousy enough creation.

We don't make hamburgers with tuna tartare...I don't wanna see sushi made with bacon. Not called sushi, anyway.

Anonymous said...

I ate at Rika in November and it was one of the worst and overpriced meals i have ever had. We were there on a tuesday night at 7:30 and literally there was NOONE else in the restaurant! When were about to leave, another couple came in. I don't know how this one will stay in business. The lighting in the all white room was so bright, it just enhanced the emptiness of the room. Our bill was over $200 for 2 people - we each had one drink. We tried the "antonio roll" which was $35! and was inedible. we sent 2 things back. The waiter was one of the nicest most attentive waiters i've ever had. I guess the 1:1 waiter to diner ratio enables good service....too bad the food was so bad.

Anonymous said...

I've been finding almost all of my sushi king here

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