Nobu – 19 Old Park Lane, London W1K 1LB

Nobu: 19 Old Park Lane, London W1K 1LB
Contact: 020 7447 4747 http://www.noburestaurants.com/london/experience/introduction/
Price: £85 chefs classic menu

Food: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Style: ★★★★★

The first time Monsieur and I went to Nobu on Park Lane, we were blown away by the intensity of the flavours and intricacy of the presentation of the food. Could the well-known Japanese venue deliver for a second time? We went on a busy Wednesday evening to celebrate the engagement of our friends and thought the Park Lane restaurant would suit the occasion. Our friends and I had been to the Berkeley Square venue before and found it bustling and a bit brash, so the understated chic of the original restaurant was more fit for this occasion.

We opted for the chef’s classic 7 course menu which is not itemised on the menu because it is meant to be a surprise. If you don’t want to know what it contains, please look away now!

Yellow fin tartar

The menu opener was a yellow fin tuna tartar, a sprinkling of caviar with a soy and wasabi sauce. The presentation was stunning, with the food gently chilling on top of a bowl of ice. The flavour was intensely hot from the wasabi and cold from the tartar – a classic Japanese combination.

Seabass and razor clam sashimi

Up second was seabass and razor clam sashimi with freeze dried garlic shavings, lemon and olive oil drizzle. I am a big fan of razor clams having tried them for the first time at St. John so I was excited to tuck in. The flavour combination was zingy and fresh. The garlic was warming and the other freeze dried bits provided the crunchy texture against the freshness and softness of the fish.

Seared tuna and prawn

Lucky number three was a stunning dish of seared tuna, prawn and vegetable rolls in a miso, onion and black pepper sauce. The tuna and prawn really came alive in the tangy, tasty sauce. The vegetable rolls were so simple but still packed with flavour. This was a truly memorable dish for the balanced intensity.

Black cod in miso

The first of the hot dishes was the famous black cod in miso. A visit to Nobu is incomplete without it. The tender fish melts on the tongue and the miso infusion is deliciously sweet. The wedge of lemon on the side was optional to lessen the sweetness of the miso and provided an extra dimension to the dish.

Sizzling beef

A sizzling beef dish was next where the beef arrives slightly raw and cooks in the hot bowl at the table. Monsieur loved this dish the most because of the quality of the meat and aromatic flavour of the sauce. The double mushroom combo and asparagus spears where enlivened by the sauce and sizzle of the bowl. I would have liked a side of plain rice to soak up the sauce. Maybe next time!

Sushi

A warming soup with a potato ball in the centre was served next and a sushi selection consisting of tuna, salmon and seabass nigiri, spicy tuna rolls and a soft shell crab roll closed the savoury dishes. The spicy tuna rolls were the favourite among the group but the whole dish was by far the best sushi any of us had ever eaten.

Having polished off every morsel of food from our plates, we were all pretty full by the end of the savoury courses but as I always say, there’s always room for dessert! The group all enjoyed their whiskey crème brulees and I had a mango and strawberry sorbet as the substitute option. I was very impressed that the waiting staff were observant to my preference for no alcohol in my food and provided alternatives or left it out without me having to ask – truly 5 star service.

Overall, Nobu Park Lane did not disappoint and the kitchen and front of house staff proved very well that it is still one of the top restaurant choices in the capital. Japanese food has not tasted better.