Some of the best sushi in London (Nobu)

Member Name: shuttlex

Product:	Nobu
Date:	22/08/06 (1789 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some of the best sushi in London, very clean, wide variety

Disadvantages: False Zen type rehabilitation environment, annoying waiters

This review is based on the dinner menu at Nobu London.

Famous for its sushi, Nobu is located in Park Lane. In the past few years I have been to Nobu on several occasions. One doesn't necessarily have to book far in advance, however if you book at late notice, you have to wait at the bar until a table is available. This can take up to an hour.

THE LOOK

Much effort has been implemented in the interior design. Similar to other expensive sushi restaurants in London there is a a very clean & minimalist look with bare walls, water falls and open space. This gives a Zen like appearance allowing a better flow of feng shuei. This style of interior design has become very fashionable in other upmarket oriental/sushi restaurants such as Zuma, Roka and Yautcha. Nobu isn't the kind of restaurant that could potentially be shut down by health and safety officers. The place is clean and spotless.

THE CUSTOMERS

Nobu attracts bankers, socialites, jetsetters, sports personalities, celebrities and rich brats. Such "important" people can eat in peace without their fans pestering them for autographs. There is also the aspect of "being seen". There tends to be a lot of self engrossed people at the restaurant. Some customers have a tendency to walk in wearing outlandish styles of clothing to get noticed such as cowboy hats & boots, chains and sunglasses.

SERVICE

The service at Nobu appears too eager to please and therefore too efficient. From the moment a customer is seated, the waiters appear slightly aggressive with their overly "friendly" mannerism. The waiter announces his name (which hasn't been requested) and introduces himself as if one has just arrived at a Buddhist health spa to help replenish themselves. It seems too forced and not sincere.

When taking orders, they often hint for the customer to order the more expensive food and drink on the menu.

At Nobu one cannot enjoy one's meal without constantly being pestered. In most restaurants, the waiter will come by maybe once or twice. At Nobu it seems like every 3 minutes. As soon as a customer has fag in their hand; a waiter is already there lighting it. As soon as some ash falls in the ash tray, the waiter is there replacing the tray. As soon as a drink or plate is finished the waiter removes it. These waiters are trained as overly efficient hawks, constantly watching you at your table.

If all goes well, I usually leave a tip equal to approx 10% of the total bill. When the service is automatically added to the bill, I don't leave a tip. However at Nobu, service is added to the final bill and the waiter still expects a nice fat tip on top of this for being "nice" and helpful. Not leaving them a tip can leave them bitter.

MENU

This is what Nobu is known for and undoubtedly Nobu has some of the best chefs in London preparing some of the finest cuisine.

There are different grades of sushi. Yo Sushi and Itsu serve grade B sushi. The more downmarket sushi restaurants in the West End tend to serve grade C and the cheap "all you can eat" buffet menus are borderline grade D.

Nobu serves nothing less than grade A sushi. The sashimi and salad roles are some of the best that can be had. An extensive variety is available; I usually order the usual assortment of sashimi, California roles and other various assortments. The sushi rice is well prepared, not too hard and not too soft and all perfectly cut.

One should not overlook the wide variety of oriental food other than sushi to complete the meal. Nobu also serve a range of Japanese & oriental soups, dumplings, springs roles, beef ribay, noodles and some very nice prawn dishes. The beef ribay stands out as one of the best dishes I have tried. There are of course many more dishes available on the menu which I haven't tried.

CONLUSION

Nobu being one of the more expensive restaurants in London, for some, it is a special occasion and for others it is a place to dine regularly. The last time I went with a party of 3, the meal came to over £200. This included the ordering of cocktails also. Expect to spend a minimum of £50/head.

The restaurant has slightly annoying waiters and self engrossed customers. If you can look past these faults, the menu is undoubtedly one of the finest in London and the reason to go to Nobu.

Nobu London
19 Old Park Lane
London W1K 1LB
TEL: 0207 447 4747

Summary: Some of the best sushi in London, annoying waiters