NOBU, London

If you read all the dining guides in London most of them will read: 1. The Ivy 2. La Caprice and third on the best restaurants in the capital list, Nobu. Famous for celebrity spotting, as well as its worldwide reputation for Japanese fusion food.

It is cram packed every night so book well in advance. The best regional comparison I can offer is Chino Latino in Leeds city centre. We did not know what to expect or really know what to wear. On arrival I have to admit we were a little apprehensive but that soon dissipated with a sudden halt and a little shock to a well experienced and well oiled system. It was about as impressive as a terrace house in Beeston with most people dressed very casually many in jeans and t-shirts. Perhaps it was their local, I really don’t know.

Nobu had shattered our high expectations. It felt more like a café than the third best restaurant in our fine capital. We were seated in about half an hour, or as I like to phrase it: “Four Mojitos later with my credit card maxed out.”

The atmosphere was electric. The chefs were on view, the chinking of samurai swords and people chatting and laughing was superb. Our waitress was great, really helpful and full of beans. We decided to order Omakase (Chef’s choice) basically a tasting menu. Two options were available. Option one £70, option two £90; per person. We opted for one of each.

The Omakase menu was extensive, offering delights like their signature dish Blackened Cod. Probably the most perfectly cooked and tasty thing I have ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth. Other dishes were things like King Crab, Organic Salmon, Braised Pork Belly with Spicy Miso and Ginger Salsa, Seared Foie Gras with Shaved kyoho Grape Ice, Lobster with Wasabi Pepper Sauce and Peruvian Style Spicy Ribeye steak.

The food was absolutely beyond reproach. I cannot think of a superlative to describe how good it was. The only down sides were it could have been a bit hotter and there was too much.

From memory the cheapest wine on the menu was £26, which is very steep, or is for a Yorkshire man. I don’t mind paying £30 to £50 for a bottle of wine and regularly do, however my normal tipple was £80 plus in Nobu.

Overall the food was great but dramatically overpriced. The service went from great to rubbish. The atmosphere was amazing, if you like loud and vibrant and the value was ridiculous. Would I go again? No. It’s one of those restaurants you visit once just to say you have been. You will have a great night and will tick it off your must do list. Will a bill of £266 for two, with only two bottles of standard wine we felt robbed and never felt like we were in one of the alleged best restaurants in the UK.

Category over £50

Review Summary

Atmosphere ♦♦♦♦♦
Food ♦♦♦♦♦
Service ♦♦
Value ♦

Contact Details

Nobu Londono
19 Old Park Lane
London
W1K 1LB

Tel: 020 7447 4747
Website: www.noburestaurants.com