Nobu Milan

Nobu Melbourne is the latest restaurant to open inside the Crown Casino Complex. Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, know as Nobu, is the Japanese chef behind it along with part owner Robert De Niro.

The restaurant was opened with a traditional sake ceremony that included billionaire James Packer who co-owns Crown Casino. The date of the opening was also on De Niro’s 64th birthday.

I decided to take my mother along as the rest of my family was overseas so I thought this would be a lovely treat. We were not to be disappointed.

The décor inside is seductively dark with twinkling tea lights on the tables. This is only the bar upstairs. Once our table was ready we were taken downstairs and were given a wonderful Asian greeting and shown our table.

Tamsin our incredibly knowledgeable and delightful waitress gave us the menu and explained the different ways we could order our food.

The selection and choices were too many so we decided upon the Omakase Menu. This is where the chef picks his best eight dishes which are served in small portions. You don’t know what you are getting but you know it will be the best.

While we waited for our feast to begin we were given a plate of Edamame which are fresh green soy beans boiled in their pods and lightly salted with Murray River rock salt. It is a very simple dish but incredibly delicious. I tried not to each too much as I knew I had to fit in eight dishes after it.

Each dish was explained to us as it was brought out which I thought was wonderful.

The first dish was a selection of three small seafood dishes. The flavour was incredible. It was such a lovely zesty, fresh flavor. The oils mixed with the lemon juice and sweet and sourness of the fish was delicious.

This was followed up by another two fish dishes that were very fresh. One of them being Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño. They didn’t really blow my mind but they were lovely simple dishes. The best was coming.

Tamsin our waitress kept telling me to wait until we tried the Black Cod with Miso which was apparently Nobu’s signature dish. It was up next. It came with an elegant presentation.

The fish was wrapped in a bamboo leaf with small droplets of Miso sauce on the side and a pickled ginger stalk. I have never tasted fish like this. It was succulent and sweet and the Miso sauce complemented it perfectly. It was absolutely divine.

Another amazing dish was on its way…

The Beef Tenderloin came smoking hot in a dish straight out of the wood fired oven. I was worried it was going to set off the smoke alarms. It was cooked medium rare. But swirling it through the juices that were sizzling on the plate cooked the beef to perfection. The flavour is to die for. Absolutely delicious.

The traditional sushi made its way to our table. There was a selection that included prawn and scallop, my favorite. It came with a sweet surprise.

A small oblong shaped omelette. It was like a sweet sponge cake. It all worked perfectly together. I wasn’t happy that between the layer of fish and rice was a smattering of wasabi. I had to scrape it off.

A small black bowel in an octagon shape with a lid was put before us. Opening the lid we found a warm bowl of Miso Soup. We drank it directly from the bowl. I felt like I was in Asia. It was a wonderful touch.

Tamsin told us that people start with the soup which is incorrect. Soup should be left to the end and I agree. All the meals came out in perfect order.

Finally my favorite dish… dessert! I have a very sweet tooth and I was not disappointed.

I felt like a child at Christmas. The box dessert came in reminded me of a jewellery box my mother has. It was a glossy mahogany style box. Upon opening it I found a delicious chocolate dessert. It was the Chocolate Bento Box with Green Tea Ice Cream.

The chocolate dessert was warm and crispy on the outside. Yet one spoonful into it allowed the chocolate sauce to escape. It was like a chocolate sauce pudding. I also love green tea so the ice cream with the chocolate was a decadent delight.

To finish up a warm cup of Green tea was in order.

The meal we had was truly outstanding. Leave it to the chef to select the best which he did.

The food was superb. It was incredibly fresh, the flavours were explosive and the service was impeccable.

The price tag for the Omakase Menu is $110 but it was money well spent.

photo credit: jlastras