GREAT EATS HAWAII: NOBU HONOLULU

NOBU HONOLULU

1118 ALA MOANA BLVD

HONOLULU, HI 96814

808-237-6999

HOURS: Monday thru Thursday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Sunday 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

www.noburestaurants.com/honolulu/experience-2/

www.yelp.com/biz/nobu-honolulu-honolulu-2

www.facebook.com/NobuHonolulu/

I always liked Nobu Waikiki so when they opened a location in Ward Village we decided to drop in and see how Chef Nobu Matsuhisa was doing in Kakaako. The new Nobu is located in the ultra modern and expensive Waiea condominium complex. Parking and the restaurant can be accessed on Auahi Street directly across from the movie theaters. Valet parking is available for $7. We entered at two minutes before 5:00 pm and the look on the hostesses faces was not positive. Barely a smile and no welcome or hello. One gal just blurted out "do you have a reservation?". I told her yes and my name she said they don't open until 5:00. We sat on a bench fronting the hostess stand and three or four people stood at the stand. None smiling or engaging us or another customer who was waiting for service. These employees need to learn customer service - what a joke we said to each other. A minute or two after 5:00 one of the hostess steps up and says follow me without smiling and looking away. She yelled a Japanese phrase which other employees followed and literally dropped us off at our table. No welcome, thanks for coming in or nothing. Just walked away. We watched the front as others were seated and it was the same unenthused and uninterested customer service. Our waiter was much better but a bit robotic. Really could tell he was just going through the motions and did not really care. I expect much better care and interest when you are paying so much money for the food.

Nobu is expensive, portions are small but the food is sometimes delicious. We started with the Yellowtail Jalapeño ($25). Amazing fresh flavor and one of my favorite dishes on the menu. I love the thin slice of Jalapeño and Cilantro with the fish. The five thin slices were gone fast and we all wanted another plate of this so in ten minutes we were down $50. I always order the King Crab Tempura at the Waikiki location and asked the waiter if they had it. He said no but they have a Lobster version instead of King Crab. I ordered the Spiny Lobster Amazu ($34). The small bites of Tempura battered Lobster had very little taste but the Jalapeño and Red Onion helped. Nothing like the flavor of the King Crab version and a bit disappointing for the price. The Sashimi Salad ($28) looked beautiful and included four or five nice pieces of Ahi Sashimi. Nice salad and dressing. We were kinda ordering as we go so next up we tried some Sushi. Tuna and Snow Crab at $5 a piece and Abalone for $25. Tuna and Snow Crab were incredible. We ended up ordering lots more. The Abalone which is farm raised on the Big Island was terrible. Hard as rubber and one piece was not eatable. I mentioned this to the waiter and he said sorry but did not offer anything to replace it or take it off the bill. $25 down the drain. The Eel and Cucumber Roll ($12) was delicious. Still hungry we ordered the Carbonara with Soba Noodles ($26). Not a bad dish but nothing you would crave and order again. Liked the egg on top and fresh asparagus. Still hungry we ordered the Seafood Ceviche ($17). A few clams, shrimp and octopus in a sauce that did not compliment the seafood.

Still hungry we ordered the Fire Cracker Roll ($18). Delicious. Still hungry we ordered more of the Tuna and Crab Sushi and it was delicious. My favorites. The restaurant made a very nice gesture to present my Daughter with a plate wishing her a happy birthday which was nice. Nobu is good but not great. Service is good but not great. Prices are high and portions are small.

Click link below for previous post on Nobu Waikiki;

https://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2013/06/nobu-waikiki.html