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08/19/2007: "NOBU Waikiki"

I actually checked out NOBU, a couple of months ago. I should have posted it then so people could see how the food looked! This review isn't exactly glowing, but I will ask that consideration be placed because I did try it out when they were still pretty young. I hope that by now it has improved, but I don't think I will be returning for a long while.

NOBU outside waiting area.
Click here for more pictures and full review...


The NOBU menu.


Cute little table setting.


Shoyu bottle, very cute.


My obsession with water continues. FYI, The water comes with lemon already.


Here is the starter salad that came with our entrees. I did not enjoy it at all. It was bitter greens once again, but the dressing was pretty nice. Good presentation.


Here is the Rock Shrimp Tempura ($18.00 USD), it comes either with a creamy spicy sauce or a butter ponzu sauce. We chose the latter.


The shrimp was pretty good, I would recommend it. Good flavor.


Tsukemono. Doesn't that look awesome?


Miso soup, nothing special. And they brought it to me after the meal was finished, which is supposed to be the traditional way right?


I ordered the Sashimi Dinner ($36.00 USD).


Closer view. It was very good and delicious, definitely fresh. I enjoyed it very much. Not quite filling, but it'll do.


Kristian had the Tempura Dinner ($32.00 USD).


Other than the 4 shrimp you see there, the rest were all vegetables. Kristian does not like vegetables, so I think you know how this dinner went down for him.


Tempura dipping sauce.


Here is the bowl of rice that accompanied both our meals.

The decor and ambience of the restaurant is very nice. Modern and sleek, definitely upscale. There are many workers running around, waiters and servers? Too many if you ask me. We were a table of two and were stuck in the middle with other table for twos...it was a very cramped space. I did not enjoy how close we were to others. Our waiter, while nice, was not at all helpful. He was not attentive, I was not happy with the service. It was obviously our first time there and he did not offer any help. However, when a Japanese tourist couple came in and sat next to us...He was like the NOBU historian. I'm not sure why he didn't make the same suggestions to us...he seemed to be suggesting a pricey pre-set meal...and I know if he offered it to us...we would have went for it.

The restaurant was extremely busy and yes, that means it is extremely loud. It's hard to hold a conversation or even to hold your own thoughts. The food was fine, but not good enough that I couldn't get it elsewhere for half the price. I was not at all impressed, which is why I will not be returning anytime soon. I hope with age, this restaurant will be better. By the way, the parking is $5.00 for 4 hours of parking with validation and then the waiter tells me afterwards that valet parking is free for the restaurant! Anyhow, I got the parking validation and ended up not paying a dime...I'm not quite sure why. So I suppose it's cheaper to do valet with the restaurant huh?

NOBU Waikiki
2233 Helumoa Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
(808) 237-6999

Mondays - Sundays
5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (Dinner service only)

Mondays – Sundays
5:00 pm – 12:00 am (Bar Lounge)

Price


Food


Service

Replies: 2 Comments

on Sunday, February 24th, vurcecantee said

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on Tuesday, August 28th, kristian said

OK when i ordered the tempura dinner i knew i was going to have vegetables, but i didn't know it was going to outnumber the seafood. i bit into a piece which i thought was lobster, but ended up being bell pepper. and as jenny had stated, i am not a fan of vegetables. i enjoyed the shrimp the potato, and a piece of brocoli. i am more disappointed with the service than the food. and jenny's being way too nice about it. yes, they're a fairly new restaurant, and MAYBE the waiter was also new. ummm...to see how personable he was with the pair next to us and for jenny and i to get below mediocore service, there is no real reason for him to have two different personalities. he smile was genuine, i'll give him that. was the overall experience worth the price? no. but that's just me.