NOBU? No Problem.
NOBU is one of NYC’s most famous restaurants. It is seen all throughout popular culture in hit television shows such as Sex and the City. Going to NOBU doesn’t require a significant other, so why not go with your crew! Grab your Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, and Carrie and head downtown (or uptown) to NOBU NYC.
I recently attended NOBU at their downtown location in Tribeca. A few friends and I went to celebrate one of our birthdays. Let me tell you, this was a great place to celebrate!
The downtown location is in Tribeca, one of my favorite New York City neighborhoods, so I was instantly taken by the scenery. With a gorgeous view of the Brooklyn Bridge and Pace Universities campus, I was already in love with this restaurant. Upon walking in, I was entranced by the high ceilings, beautiful light fixtures, and glass walls.
Once we checked in for our reservation, the hostess took us downstairs to our table. As you walk down the steps of NOBU, the lighting becomes dimmer and dimmer creating an exclusive feel. The restaurant also featured orange lights and dark wall accents to enhance the luxe vibe.
After taking our seats, we were greeted by our waiter who filled us in on everything NOBU. NOBU is a Japanese Fusion restaurant featuring family-style dishes. At every seat, there was a stone next to our chopsticks. Being curious, I asked the waiter what the purpose of these stones are. He told me that they were meant to rest your chopsticks in between eating. The waiter at NOBU was not only kind and helpful, but he was also educational about Japanese culture and traditions. This made it feel more than just dinner, it was a cultural experience.
To start off, we ordered a few bowls of edamame. This was a great way to begin diving into the Japanese cuisine. When it came time for entrees, I decided to order the crispy rice with spicy avocado. There were tons of options to choose from, including sushi, soups, and meats cooked to perfection. Though I am not a huge sushi lover, I do have to say the presentation was impressive.
NOBU has a separate section in the kitchen where the sushi is hand-rolled. If you are a sushi fan, I would definitely suggest you try, my friends were nuts about it!
Personally, I loved my meal. I am an avid lover of crispy rice and the spicy avocado dip added the perfect tang. I had previously looked at the menu before dinner so that I was able to go in knowing what I want. I absolutely suggest looking at the menu beforehand, especially if you have any eating restrictions.
After the entrees, it came time for my favorite, dessert! The dessert menu at NOBU was incredible. I almost wanted to order one of everything! As a drink, I ordered a matcha latte to set the tone for what was to come. My friends and I decided to split the “Bento Box.” The Bento Box featured a dark chocolate lava cake with coconut matcha gelato. I have no other words to describe the dessert than heavenly. I’m not sure how I stood up after; I was definitely in a food coma!
Overall, my experience was NOBU was fantastic! Not only was the food amazing, but the decor and furnishings of the place were also a great backdrop. Though it is a little pricey, I would say it is worth attending for a special occasion. If you have a reason to celebrate or feel like treating yourself, I would definitely put NOBU at the top of your list.
