Nobu - Old Park Lane

Walter Adamson (2 June 2006)

Worth a visit, and again and again. Unlike so many cafes posing as restaurants and cooks posing as chefs this outfit really deliver tasty fresh food prepared with Japanese care and knowledge.

Although I found it a kind of weird total experience as when I glanced ahead I saw seven Japanese chefs behind the sushi bar and when I looked to the side or was served there were staff of all nationalities on the floor - but none Japanese that I noticed. So it is not a Japanese restaurant experience, but it is a Japanese food experience in the sense of having the classics with all their care and attention, and the extensions.

For value try the lunchtime bento box, with green tea, and for a not inexpensive fusion finish a double espresso. I thought that it was good value especially compared to similar prices elsewhere for second rate food. This is worth every penny, in my opinion. Will definitely go again.

Richard J P D'Silva (25 April 2003)

This was rather a last minute visit due to friends arriving from Devon, calling us mid-afternoon and asking us to join them in the Met Bar for drinks.

We weren't exactly bowled over by this now (in)famous posing den of the rich and famous. It has a very dark interior, decorated in dark red, black and chrome - reminiscent of a 1970's American Cocktail Bar, the like you may see Al Pacino in 'Scarface' smoozing around in...

However, eyes adjusted, we settled down to a couple of bottles of house champagne, Cuban cigars and conversation.

The champagne was lovely - fresh and vibrant with biscuit and almond undertones. Conversation possible due to music (a very weird selection!), set to the correct level. Shame for any stargazers as nobody even remotely famous joined us, either pre or post meal!

Our friends from the South West had, unbeknownst to us, booked well in advance to ensure they could dine at Nobu whilst staying at the hotel. By the time they were due to leave us for their sumptuous banquet of Japanese delicacies, neither of us was particularly hungry. We arranged to meet them later on back at the bar - plumping for a wander down Park Lane for some fresh air.

This looked in jeopardy as my good friend popped off to see if they could 'squeeze us in' with them for dinner. He wasn't long gone, unsurprisingly, as Nobu explained about the waiting list and need to book etc.. etc..

So, they left us alone in the bar and we set about finishing off our drinks ready for a brisk walk. No sooner had I raised my glass to my lips than back came aforementioned friend to announce that he had secured us seats at their table and we were in if we fancied it?!

Needless to say, we took nanoseconds to decide and vaulted into Nobu at a pace Paula Radcliffe would have been proud of.

And so to the restaurant, which is what you have probably been waiting to read about.

I don't remember too much about the food, other than this -

IT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD