Rock n' Sake coming to Baton Rouge

[Leo in B.R.]

According to our "225" mag, they're coming to a new development on Perkins Road. Story here: http://www.225batonrouge.com/news/2009/may/21/no-sushi-restaurant-moving-br/

So how is this place? I've heard of it, but never been. Now they'll be almost in my "hood."

[The Bear]

I don't know if these will help. They are from 2000 & 2001

ROCK-N-SAKE BAR & SUSHI at 823 Fulton (504-581-7253) in the Warehouse District offer the other end of the spectrum. I dropped in there for a light snack between seminars at NOWFE. It is only a couple of blocks up Julia from the Morial Center. From the exposed industrial ceiling with no attempt to camouflage it to the concrete floor done in swirled blue and white paint this place appears cutting edge. They have numerous wood tables and a fine Japanese menu. But for me the action happens at the sushi bar and the chalkboard menu. I ordered miso to clear my palate and my mind. They serve a light broth soup with the appropriate amount of mushrooms and noodles. While I sipped I contemplated my options. I went with an unknown and a favorite. First up appeared nigri sushi of conch. I’ve eaten conch fritters in the Bahamas but this was raw with a sauce applied already. This caused the rice to fall apart but the flavor with the slightly sweet but chewy conch made it worth it. Next I had a soft-shell crab roll. The tiniest crab I’ve ever seen (no more that two-inch long and an inch wide) came out. I didn't think they marketed them that small. I expected it to be raw but they fried it. A sweet soy sauce on the side added just the right touch. I definitely have a new sushi spot. Readers of New Orleans magazine elected this establishment “Best Sushi Bar” in the city. Next time in I am going to try the raw seafood salad recommend by the magazine


I wrote a review and the owner accorded me a great honor by expressing the desire to frame and hangs my review. Since we would be going by this place and I have as big an ego as any man does, I wanted to see it on the wall. Inquires at the hostess’s stand at ROCK-N-SAKE (823 Fulton St 504-581-7253) brought first the manager then the owner. Not up on the wall yet but nothing would do but for us to have lunch on the house. We could not refuse; he would not let us. As described before this place in the Warehouse District maintains that sort of ambience. Exposed ceiling with all the ductwork and a painted concrete floor. We ordered crab shumai and BBQ tuna to start off. The stuffed dumpling came out like ethereal clouds with tremendous crab flavor. Tuna on skewers marinated in a ginger sauce and grilled. It proved tender and succulent with the ginger adding its own notes. My friend opted for a Tempura & Chicken Teriyaki combo. The shrimp and vegetables appeared fried to perfection with the lightest batter im*****ble. The Teriyaki looked rich and flavorful. Hardly a word escaped my companion’s mouth as enjoyed it. As promised in my previous review of this establishment I tried the Seafood Salad and a repeat of the baby soft-shell crab sushi. I received a dish of assorted raw seafood and cucumber in a ponzu sauce. This sauce of rice wine vinegar, sake, soy, seaweed, and bonito flakes complemented the raw seafood to a T. The sushi proved as cute and delicious as the year before.

[Isabella Maja]

Rock n Sake was always a place I wanted to like.

Is the music played still very loud, clubby dance music?

It's relatively close to my house, open late & I enjoyed their food.
It all got shot down because of the music.

I'd love an update.

[Lucie]

I love Rock'n Sake when i can get a parking place. Its great that they changed, upgraded, the wine list finally. It is a fun up beat place. My only complaint is that if you are calling yourself Rock'n Sake, the music selection should include more (any) 70's classic rock instead of the techno music that constanlty blares, pumps through the dining room hence the nic name Flamin Sake.

[JRO]

Really great food, I have tried many different things on the menu & have never been disappointed.

[globe9]

I've been a few times and think the food is great! Unfortunately, the loud music is keeping me away. I'm not THAT old(33)but if I want to listen to really loud techno, I'll just go to a club. Last time I was there, the entire clientelle appeared to be under the age of 25 and were very loud and obnoxious. One large table were doing flaming sake shots and were extremely intoxicated already. I have nothing against this atmosphere in a bar, but not what I'm looking for when I'm having dinner.

[Isabella Maja]

I've been a few times and think the food is great! Unfortunately, the loud music is keeping me away. I'm not THAT old(33)but if I want to listen to really loud techno, I'll just go to a club. Last time I was there, the entire clientelle appeared to be under the age of 25 and were very loud and obnoxious. One large table were doing flaming sake shots and were extremely intoxicated already. I have nothing against this atmosphere in a bar, but not what I'm looking for when I'm having dinner.

Well said.

globe9, I've been out of the "Darling" demographic for a while now, and it still is kind of shocking that newer restaurants are not catering to my tastes so much (btw, this is a grossly general statement).

How does it feel to you, at the young age of 33, to be at that cliff's edge of the dining demographic in this particular case?

Does anyone else notice this? Feel free to start a new thread if you feel this is too much of a hi-jack.

[globe9]

Well said.

globe9, I've been out of the "Darling" demographic for a while now, and it still is kind of shocking that newer restaurants are not catering to my tastes so much (btw, this is a grossly general statement).

How does it feel to you, at the young age of 33, to be at that cliff's edge of the dining demographic in this particular case?

Does anyone else notice this? Feel free to start a new thread if you feel this is too much of a hi-jack.

In the case of Rock n' Sake, I felt very old and out of place. I was dressed well(on the dressier end of casual), but everyone else there seemed to be dressed up like they were going to The Metropolitan or Ampersand after dinner, which of course, they probably were. I would probably go back for lunch, assuming that the atmosphere and clientele are different(probably more business people than college kids or 20-somethings) b/c the food is good, IMO.
I get that this place is "hip" and aimed towards a younger crowd. They seem to be doing well, so I'm guessing they don't miss the "older" crowd and there are other good sushi places I can go to where I feel more comfortable. To each their own, I guess. I just didn't like feeling so old when I was there.

As for other newer restaurants, I really haven't felt so "out of place", as I did at Rock n Sake, but maybe I'm not trying the "hip" new restaurants. What other places did you have in mind that appear to cater to a younger clientele?

I do get that New Orleans, in it's recovery, is trying to attract younger, professionals to help revitalize the city. These young, urban, hipsters probably appreciate places like Rock n Sake. I think there is room for these kind of restaurants here in NOLA, I probably won't frequent them however, b/c unfortunately I am no longer a young, urban hipster LOL

[buzd]

In the case of Rock n' Sake, I felt very old and out of place. I was dressed well(on the dressier end of casual), but everyone else there seemed to be dressed up like they were going to The Metropolitan or Ampersand after dinner, which of course, they probably were. I would probably go back for lunch, assuming that the atmosphere and clientele are different(probably more business people than college kids or 20-somethings) b/c the food is good, IMO.

It's MUCH better at lunch. I can't stand the atmosphere at dinner.

I do get that New Orleans, in it's recovery, is trying to attract younger, professionals to help revitalize the city. These young, urban, hipsters probably appreciate places like Rock n Sake. I think there is room for these kind of restaurants here in NOLA, I probably won't frequent them however, b/c unfortunately I am no longer a young, urban hipster LOL

RnS was like that before the storm, too.

[JRO]

lunch is fairly quiet, in the evening the later it gets the louder the music gets.

I like the menu they offer, I am 50 & can look past the music.

I really like Rok n Sake