Nobu

Ok, it's NOBU. This is a must for visitors and should be experienced at least once. I would recommend going on a Friday or Saturday for the full show. I have been several times and although the amount of food that is served with the Omakase has dwindled somewhat, the quality is still as good as ever. Pros: the experience Cons: the bill more

Took my wife here for her birthday. We both had low expectations since the hype always tends to disappoint these types of attraction restaurants. I did my homework and ordered all the ""go-to"" dishes: miso cod, rock shrimp tempura, oysters, raw (almost) tuna salad (and possibly one other dish I can't recall). All were equally good. Miso cod was a bit of a let down considering the hype (chilean seabass from Sushi Samba is much better). WIth drinks, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised how moderate the bill was...and we were both stuffed. Service was a 6 out of 10 which is NYC standard. Probably would not come again though...once is enough. Pros: It's famous Cons: too warm inside more

Oooh!! Long-time reader, first time writer. I recently went to Nobu for the second time in Dec. 2006 (first was in June 2006) and had the $150 Omakase both times. It was GREAT! The first time, everything was a nice surprise... so when I went the second time and my date wanted the omakase, I thought I would be disappointed with the same dishes from last time. The waitress asked if it was our time at Nobu and if it was our first time trying the omakase. It was my date's first time at Nobu but I told her it was my 2nd time at Nobu and 2nd time to try the $150 Omakase so I thought that was that. When the courses started coming out though, the waitress told me since I had been there before, the chef was making me different dishes! What a treat it was for me... and my date too because he got to try more things! =) It was definitely very fun - except for the part where you only have 2 hour reservations, so they rush you out and don't get to enjoy your courses as much as you would want to =( Pros: Fresh fish Cons: rushed more

After years of living on the west coast and dreaming of eating at Nobu, I was finally able to eat here on Christmas eve and was rather disappointed. We ordered largely what we felt were classic Nobu dishes: jalapeno yellowtail sashimi, toro sashimi, wagyu, rock shrimp tempura, black miso cod, and various sushi. \r \r The yellowtail and cod were excellent and the best of the dishes we ordered. The toro was good, but then I have never had bad toro and this was certainly not the best (though at $12 for each extremely slender slice, it should have been). The wagyu (more expensive than the washu listed on the menu) was good but I did not think the preparation was effective in bringing out the texture and flavor of the meat and I have had much better elsewhere. The rock shrimp tempura (in creamy spicy sauce) was too heavy, too greasy, too much, and we did not finish it. But the absolute worst was the various sushi we ordered, which unfortunately came last so as to almost ruin the meal entirely. We did not even order that much of it, but it was extremely disappointing. Every piece was meagerly sized and tasted like it could have been from any neighborhood sushi restaurant (and not your good neighboorhood sushi restaurant). Especially bad was the sea urchin, which was NOT fresh, and in retrospect should have been sent back. Luckily, the Bento Box (warm chocolate souffle cake with shiso syrup, a GREAT combination) helped us recover.\r \r I am glad I had the chance to try Nobu, however I would not go back. I don't think it is too expensive for a nice dinner; I do think it is too expensive for the quality of food they serve. Regardless of people who say it is not a ""sushi"" restaurant, it is a Japanese restaurant at the top of its league that carries sushi, so I expect that it at least be fresh. Additionally, the signature Nobu dishes, while excellent, can be found at most other Japanese restaurants. Go to Nobu to decide for yourself but be prepared to leave disappointed. Pros: It's Nobu...what else can I say? Cons: Bad sushi, menu is not creative these days more

I walked into Nobu with way too high expectations. It was dissapointment after dissapointment.\r First, the place looks incredibly cheap -- I had to squeeze by the symbolic 15 cm wide gap between my tiny table and the neighbor's into my seat. We ordered omakase. This is mistake #2 (mistake #1 was not walking right out after my gut feeling within the first 2 mins). The first course is a tiny dollop of toro with some caviar and a wasabi sauce. I fight my first instinct of just eating the whole thing in one bite and try to make it last thinking -- ""this is just a little appetizer to warm up"". I am also thinking that they might as well served sardine and samon roe instead of toro and caviar and save a buck or two because the wasabi sauce is so strong that I can't even taste anything. Next plate comes in and it's three micro slices of sashimi sitting on the center of a gigantic-looking dish. They are dressed with a citrus sauce so overpowering that you can smell even before the dish is at your table. And this was the tone for the whole meal. Throw in some seared foie grass with the minuscule cod serving and call it high level cuisine? Not for what I am concerned. Plate after plate the sensation of being totally ripped off is growing. The dishes are minuscule and sure tasty but nothing worthy of the restaurant's hype at all. The sushi is ridiculous. The pieces are tiny and sad looking and are in the same league as Todai if you ask me. The only thing that was impressive was the fat bill -- 500 bucks total for 2 (including tip + tax). The very least thing you'd expect is that after paying that much, you won't leave the place and be hungry, but that wasn't our case. We polished a pepperoni pizza right after Nobu. It's the ultimate rip off -- don't go to this place. There're many other better places to eat in NYC. The next day I ate so much delicious simple honest food at Les Halles that I could barely walk my way out of the place, for 1/3 of the prize. Pros: OK place to eat given that you don't look at or care about the bill Cons: Over-priced, Over-hyped, Very very dissapointing more

I can't say enough about Nobu. The ambience is awesome and customer base is serious. The sashimi salad and any of the sushi rolls are great. Definitely try one of their cocktails. It's a good place to go to to begin a night out with friends. Reserve one of the booths right in the middle and I bet you won't want to leave. more

i went there expecting the restaurant to live up to the hype: high price for high quality, right? WRONG. the food is overrated. for the same amount if couldve gotten a sushi/sashimi combo thats 3 times bigger from the local place i frequent (also zagat rated), and tasted just the same, if not better. the place is dark, dark enough where i have to put the menu up to my face just to read it, the seating is cramped and inconvenient. i actually had to pull a table out just to let my guest sit. the waiter was rude, i asked him a question about the food and he looked at me as if i insulted his mother. food took a long time, and the portions were extremely small for the price. the menu selection was VERY limited. another reason why i left the place feeling like i got fisted was because i was nice enough to still tip after all that...\r the only thing that amazed me was their wide selection of sake & spirits.\r cliffnotes: i am never going back there. Pros: wide selection of sake & spirits Cons: everything else more

Hi. Can an experienced Nobu-ER talk to me about the Veggie/Vegan sushi options at Nobu and please rate? I would expect plenty of choices, but would like to hear from people who've been there and sampled. Many thanks! --- Jim from Sedona. more

I was somewhat disappointed (the hype is just so overwhelming!) It was really pricey and the sushi was ok, but nothing out of this world. However, major A-list celebrity spotting, so in the end it was really worth it! :) more

been to Nobu downtown mannnny times....always great. great food, service...nice atmosphere. would 100% recommend it. Pros: black cod and rock shrimp Cons: hard to get reservations more

I have been to Nobu several times and never been disappointed. The rock shrimp is melt in your mouth. The buttered cod is to die for and the sake and drinks are all wonderful! I have taken many people here who are in New York visiting and have yet to get an unsatisfied customer. Pros: Food and drinks never disappoint Cons: Hard to get reservations more

Excellent, never had anything I didn't like! Love the bento box for desert and love the black cod and rock shrimp. The crab is amazing as well. My mouth waters thinking about the food here! more

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday. The ambience was not exquisite honestly, it looked a bit cheap. But the food definitely made up for the weak ambience. The sea bass was very close to perfection. The great thing is that all our dishies was very fresh and tasty. Cod fish was bit sweet. Our waiter treated us with a bit of an attitude, as if we were not good enough to dine at Nobu. I honestly believe that having a helpful and kind waiter makes your experience a little more enjoyable. Overall the food was great but I think once was enough for me. Pros: Tasty Dishes Cons: Expensive, Attitude from servers more

Next Door Nobu has the same kitchen as Nobu except it's "easier" to get into as there is a, no reservation,... more

Still at the top! Over a period of three yrs I've been here probably around twenty times. Yes, I strayed... more

Next Door Nobu has the same kitchen as Nobu except it's "easier" to get into as there is a, no reservation, policy. Nobu does not advertise its act... more

Still at the top! Over a period of three yrs I've been here probably around twenty times. Yes, I strayed every now and then(this is New York) but a... more

My husband took me to Nobu last night. I highly recommend the: Monkfish Pate with Caviar, Tiradito Nobu Style and Broiled Black Cod with Miso. I LOVE the burst of flavor in each dish. The black cod literally melted in my mouth. The house special sushi and shrimp tempura are both average-I would say they're just slightly above supermarket quality. Although the flavor was good, the biggest disappointment was the overcooked truffle stuffed sea bass, which was rubbery. You have to know what to order for the best dining experience. Customer service is quick and they're really very helpful. I especially loved the lychee martini. I'll definitely come back but only for the hot/cold dishes. Make reservations!! Pros: Lychee martini, black cod fish, cold dishes!!! Cons: a little expensive more

This is the 6th time I've been to Nobu and the food there still makes me giddy. We were both nervous because the last time we went the dishes were not as good as usual...everything was a little off. We agree it must have been a bad night, because this time it was amazing! We got the ceviche, monkfish pate, matsuhisa shrimp with caviar, rock shrimp tempura with ponzu sauce, creamy spicy crab, black cod with miso, bento box, and pineapple caramel cake. Everything was delicious. \r \r The ceviche wasn't too acidic, the monkfish pate melted in our mouths, the shrimp with caviar only had two shrimp but was so good, the rock shrimp tempura was light and refreshing, the creamy spicy crab was to die for...big chunks of crab and just the right amount of sauce (last time they put way too much sauce), the black cod with miso was divine, and of course the bento box was the perfect ending..all that for under $150 and we were STUFFED. Pros: good-sized portions, friendly staff, a new plate with each course Cons: don't try to the regular stuff you can get at any corner japanese restaurant for cheaper, go for the special hot/cold dishes instead..the sushi and tempura aren't worth the $$ more

next door to nobu, no thank you!\r I ventured out on friday night ( 08/04/06 ) in utter anticipation of the best sushi i have ever had. i was definitely dissapointed. it wasn't bad by any means, but i have had better in a number of different establishments around the city. if you are looking to hang out with the shi shi crowd and impress your other rich friends then this is the place for you. if you are an average to above average joe looking to find some good sushi, i'd look elsewhere. the price definitely doesn't match the quality of the food. on the upside the staff was courteous and attentive to our needs throughout dinner. more