Ubon by Nobu

Having previously eaten lunch here (great lobster & shrimp salad), I had high expectations when returning for dinner with my date. Unfortunately several 'niggles' added up to spoil the evening. Firstly, despite being 3/4 empty they seated a noisy corporate party next to us, which the BF objected to and although we were moved (one along), our waiter didn't seem happy despite the fact our food hadn't even arrived yet. Agree with others that it is a rather formal atmosphere but the staff are polite if not overkeen to extend themselves. They let us walk out w/o our doggy bag of sushi.

My biggest gripe is that everything arrived in single file with about 20-30mins between each 'course'. Which meant we polished off a (large) plate of endamame beans... before being served a salmon skin salad... then 20-30mins later our mains arrived. I'd also ordered a couple of soft shelled crab rolls to kick start the sushi part of our meal, but we had to wait another 30mins for them so by that time we felt 'full'. Also everything was super salty, and not having anything to counter (e.g. rice to go with the salty salmon salad), meant we were drinking water like it was going out of fashion. Oh and our green tea mugs smelled fishy (clearly no segregation in the dishwasher).

Disappointing experience really considering how pricey it is. I'll try Nobu next time...
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Niron Gil
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Thursday, March 06, 2008

If you go here for one reason and one reason alone, let it be the black cod... It's not just a dish, but an experience that will stick in the memory for a long time! As other diners have commented, Ubon is pricey and it's better to leave it as a rare treat, or when someone else is picking up the tab! The setting is too formal for a date and too sterile for a big outing with friends, but it would be a good place to celebrate after thrashing out a big deal at work...

The sushi is fresh, quirky and lovingly-made... I would particularly recommend any of the soft-shell crab dishes too. The view from the restaurant is pretty and we had no complaints about the service, but it's not the easiest place to find... In summary, I'd say you have to try it at least once a year.
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Tehmina
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I ate at Ubon last Saturday night and I was very impressed! We had the chef's tasting menu, which was a culinary journey beginning with sashimi, followed by exquisite ceviche, lobster, seabass broth, rack of lamb, complete with oriental vegetables. The attention to detail in the dishes was remarkable, eachone looks like a piece of art, quickly destroyed by chopsticks! Lastly green tea mousse with coconut icecream finished off the evening. Georgeous view of the Thames in a contemporary setting.
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Jemma
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, December 03, 2007

Well - what can I say - I spent the night at Ubon for my birthday! It wasn't the best atmosphere.....a little souless but to be honest you come here for the food and the food alone!!!

We started with tuna sashimi salad with matsuhisa dressing - presentation was spot on - salad leaves of lambs lettuce and red chard delicatley presented - surrounded by flavoursome slices of fresh tuna - but its the dressing that lifts this dish to a great height....

Yellowtail with Jalapeno - again delicate and a subtle heat from the multi couloured chillis resting on each mouthful.....

Creamy Rock Shrimp with Spicy Sauce - this had to take the prize for absolute pleasure eating - the texture of the creamy sauce with the crispy fried prawns sends you to heaven and back! I could eat these everyday! Chopped chives finished the dish - you cannot fault this man's presentation......looking around the room - I noticed the excitement of my fellow diners faces - first with the look of the dishes that came to the tables and of course the pure bliss of eating each morsel!!!

Grilled Lobster with a Spicy Lemon Garlic Sauce - again top marks for presentation - a little stingy on the portion - only half of this meaty shellfish is served along side the most delicious assortment of wild mushrooms.....the spicy dressing again gives this dish that Ubon kick!!!

Rib-Eye with Anti-cucho Sauce - melt-in-the-mouth delicious slices of medium rare beef. For all you males out there - this is the dish for you!

All in all - each dish sang with taste, texture and presentation. Service was a little morbid - no smiles. Prices are high so expect to pay over £100 for 2. Portions are a little on the small side but I came away feeling satisfied.
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ASHTON EATS
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, March 11, 2007

I have never had a bad meal at Nobu or Ubon.

however, the below comment by Stefanie is true, regarding the atmosphere. It's a bit soul-less and though I know that it's located in the city where there are lots of entertaining going on, at times if felt like we were in the Canary Wharf cafeteria.

the decor is slightly outdated and some of the staff are 'green' compared to those at the other London Nobus.

But if you want a Nobu meal but can't get to the other ones, i.e. if you live in the rea, then Ubon isn't a bad option. Just be prepared to be surrounded by suits and corporate chitter chatter.
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jo
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Saturday, February 17, 2007

I was really disapointed too. We also were unliky with a service, table wasn't ready when we came so we had to wait until it will be ready, waitress didn't know about a coctail in a menu and offered to go to a barman and ask!!! I politely asked her to find out herself for me!! The food was lovely (my friend didn't like it much though), the view is impressive, but there is no athmosphere at all, no character, I felt it was a business meeting not out for a dinner for two. Black cod was very nice though! I'm glad I tried it but I won't go there again.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Sunday, February 04, 2007

I was looking forward to going to Ubon after hearing so much about it but I was really disapointed. I almost feel bad saying it as the food was lovely, the service was pleasant and the view is impressive, but I felt it was a really cold restaurant and that I should have been in a business meeting not out for a cosy dinner for two. I also didn't like the way the food was brought up. I like having a few dishes at once so you can have a pick but we had one dish then another so we was eating our black cod on it's own for instance, our rice would have been nice with that! I'm glad I tried it but I won't be going back. Cocoon anyday for me!
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Stefanie
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Thursday, November 02, 2006

don't go at lunch - very corporate and sterlie, huge disappointment compared to mother restaurant
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Thursday, September 28, 2006

SUPER FOOD - NOT CHEAP BUT GOOD VALUE - SERVICE ADEQUATE - HOWEVER THE STING IN THE TAIL CAME WHEN WITH CLIENTS WE ASKED FOR ANOTHER DRINK AND WERE TOLD THAT "THE BAR IS NOW CLOSED AND THE GENERAL MANAGER DOES NOT ALLOW DRINKS IN THE LATE AFTERNOON" IT WAS 17:30-17:40 THE RESTAURANT RE-OPENED FOR DINNER AT 18:00 AND WE WERE ORIGINALLY TOLD THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE DRINKS DUE TO LICENSING LAWS AND COULD WE VACATE THE RESTAURANT - WE WERE WELL MANNERED AND HAVING SPENT OVER £800 (INCL £105 FOR SERVICE) FOR LUNCH FELT SHORT CHANGED - OUR COLLEAGUES WERE DRINKING UNTIL 18:00-18:30 THE PREVIOUS EVENING WITH THE SAME CLIENTS. IT WILL TAKE A PERSUASIVE CLIENT TO GET ME BACK THERE IN A HURRY.
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MARTIN BALDOCK
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, September 05, 2006

You can't fault the food at Ubon. It was fantastic, all perfectly done and beautifully presented. But I was less impressed with other aspects of the restaurant. The decor is 1970s brown and really not appealing to my eye, plus if you are there the wrong time of day the sun shines in your eyes and there are no blinds to prevent this, nor was there another table we could move to during a busy lunch service. The service blew hot and cold. Starters and mains came quickly, but it took ages to get more water, desert and the bill. Ah yes, and the bill -- £250 for 4 people, including starters, mains, deserts and 1 bottle of £32 wine. A bit pricey really. I know it's got the Nobu brand, but I can think of other restaurants where the food is nearly as good and the prices are half of Ubon.
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Friedel Grant
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Friday, August 25, 2006