Nobu

Went to nobu for the first time a few weeks ago. I've not had japanese before and thought that this was a good place to try it at its best.

Nobu is hideously overpriced - and I mean seriously. The portions of food are tiny.

Since I had no idea what most things were on the menu, I opted to ask our waitress for help making choices. The waitress we had was very helpful but seemed to make assumptions about a lot of things - such as knowing what certain dish names meant and contained. She also let me feel a little bit like I was being a pain by not knowing what things were - so I ended up taking her recomendations quite blindly, something I would never normally do. It was also very hard to understand her - she had a heavy accent (not oriental though).

What I ended up with I still don't know - all except the black cod, which was delicious but totally on its own, it was not accompanied by anything and this made it rather bland for me. The flavour and texture of the cod was lovely, but, like I said, it was just that little piece of cod on the plate!

I do not like strong or fishy fish - such as crab and trout etc, or salmon - so I told our waitress this. Some of the tiny little servings that were brought out were nice, but they didn't blow me away. I had a desert because I wanted to see what they had and also because I had had such microscopic portions of main dishes that i was still quite hungry (I'd gone there hungry so as to utterly appreciate it). The pudding I had was wierd, I still don't know what it was, only that I asked for something chocolatey. It didn't fulfil my hankering for a tasty choclatey dessert.

In the main I do not go out much, although I have been lucky enough to go to some very lovely restauraunts, but I still have a decent knowledge of good food, mediocre food and bland or bad food.

I had one glass of wine with my meal, as did my friend, and thats all.

When the bill arrived I couldn't believe it. I had expected it to be high - but for the food we got and the size of the portions, this is definately what I would call a rich chav's restauraunt - in that it is the name "nobu" and the michelin star behind it, and the mad price tag that lets people perhaps be a little austentatious with thier money and throw it around on a poor choice.

It is ludicrously priced!! Its expensive beyond the call of sense.

Its taking a bottle of nice sparkling wine at £10 and selling it as champagne for £150. That is how I would sum up this place. Big ol fat let down of a michelin star restauraunt.

I would not go again -
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Saturday, May 10, 2008

went to Nobu last week for the 3rd time this year and had my usual knuckle of lamb and bottle of liebfraumilch (blue nun slightly chilled) i finished off with tapiocca pudding and syrup of fig. The service was first class and even gave me a baby chair.
Comment on this reader review

Owen White
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I am on a budget but form time to time like to have what the late Noel Coward called a 'white tablecloth outing.' So that is why I have now been to Nobu at the Metropolitan Hotel twice.

Some of the dishes are exquisite but I resented the waiter telling me the lobsster taster would be £9.50 and it ended up being $14.50 on my bill. I queried it and he basically said I had imagined him saying £9.50. I also calculated my bill on two different occasions and it was wildly under what Nobu presented me with at the end of the meal. I think this is because of the huge service charge. Unlike in good Japanese restuarants in the USA, there are no chef's complimetary dishes, or Yo-kan at the end.

I also resent being served by French, Italian, Spanish and every other nationality but JAPANESE. Does Nobu have a rule about not employing Japanese? Also, I loathed the constant shouting of the waiters and waitresses to each other in slogans that mean nothing to the customers and are actually quite intimidating. It was disappointing that I was told I had exactly two hours to eat and leave; I like lingering and for the US equivalent of $120 I expect to be able to do so. Ruth's Chris Steak House in Washington, DC is one of the most prestigious in the USA and you can sit and read a paper and stay as long as you like even if it is heaving with people.

Nobu is overpriced, pretentious and deceitful about its 'on the night special' prices.
Comment on this reader review

Carol Gould
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Monday, April 14, 2008

Pretentious and overpriced.

Bland surroundings.

Service pretty good but would have liked a choice regarding the obligatory service charge.

Food fairly average. I have tasted better in street markets in the Far East.

The sushi in the fast food Jananese restaurants in Melbourne is better.

Suitable for people with more money than sense.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 04, 2008

Had a weekend lunch. Service was good, although a little forced at times. But it was very pricey indeed, wasn't worth it. The food was fine but not amazing. The portions were relatively very small.
Comment on this reader review

me
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 23, 2008

Went to Nobu last night with my partner. Had heard a lot of good things about what is supposed to be one of Londons top restaurants...was definately not dissapointed.

The service was fantastic, the waitress explained everything to us and gave us very helpful suggestions.

Definately recommend the starter of salmon with cavier which was delicious.

The atmosphere was great, very lively and loud although the accoustics of where we were sitting meant that we didnt have to yell at each other over the noise.

Total bill was reasonable at around £200 as we had ordered quite a few dishes between us.

Would definately recommend Nobu quite happily and cant wait to go back and try the black cod.
Comment on this reader review

Carlie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 14, 2008

An enjoyable experience - wonderful delicate food in a superb setting. Expensive but a must try experience.
Comment on this reader review

John Szepietowski
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Six of us dined at Nobu on Saturday 9th Feb and had a fabulous evening. I had been once before and hoped it was going to be as good as last time as some of my friends hadn't been before. We were not dissappointed! The restaurant is very busy and loud but that suited us and we appreciated the good atmosphere. Like lots of other diners, we were confused with what to order so the waitress ordered for us and did a fantastic job. We had several signature dishes including yellowtail sashimi and the black cod (of which we ordered 2 because it was so amazing). The quality of the food was superb and we loved the fact that it was delivered to the middle of the table and explained to us each time. The puddings were to die for! The Chocolate Bento Box and the Coconut Rice Pudding were firm favourites. Although we did get through a fair few bottles of wine, the bill came to £750 including service of £98.00 which is pretty steep. I would certainly recommend Nobu to any foodies out there looking for a fantastic eating experience but make sure you are not on a budget!
Comment on this reader review

Charlie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 6
Monday, February 11, 2008

Generaly the food (starters) was good. This time I was not lucky with the "Tender Pepper Steak", which was not tender at all. The restaurant also seem getting more and more noisy.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, January 09, 2008

My friend and i headed for dinner at Nobu London Last Night, We were seated at a lovely table running along the wall, with exceptional views of Hyde Park.

From the very beginning our waiter was attentive, we were offered first drinks and something to snack on whilst looking over the menu, after we had toasted our special occassion our young energetic waiter was back offering to help us with the menu, he went through all the different options including the set menu, and we decided to let him design the menu specifically for us.

Yellowtail with Jalapeno, followed by the amazing beef tataki, then a sashimi salad with half salmon, as we mentioned to him it was a favourite of ours, then we had the king crab tempura, the original black cod, dover sole with red chilli and the tea smoked lamb to finish.

The food was amazing, the portions were not huge, but because we were having several dishes we knew to appreciate the quality rather than the quantity. Our waiter was constantly checking on us, asking if we had any questions, making us laugh, filling us in with little facts about certain dishes, and overall making the night fun, memorable and relaxed.

I will definatly be back there again soon!!
Comment on this reader review

Kate Harrington
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, December 29, 2007