Nobu Toronto, the city’s most anticipated opening in years, has faced numerous delays due to COVID-19 lockdowns and permit restrictions. Originally breaking ground in 2018, the development includes 45-story towers, with 660 condo units, a 36-room hotel, and a restaurant located at 25 Mercer St. Founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisha, actor Robert De Niro, and movie producer Meir Teper, this will be Canada’s first Nobu Hotel and Residence, slated to open in spring 2025.
The restaurant exudes drama, elegance, and sophistication, featuring two levels where no expense was spared. The main level houses a stunning backlit bar and a lounge with a dark, moody interior. Guests can enjoy a limited menu without a reservation. A grand marble staircase or an elevator leads to the second floor. The staircase is adorned with 28-foot-long chain mail chandeliers, and after walking through an attractive tunnel, you arrive at the 140-seat dining room. The interior boasts striking circular wood beams on the high ceiling, blond elm wood tables and chairs with black accents, and a variety of seating options are provided, including circular booths, banquets, tables, or sushi counters. There was a show-stopping porcelain art centerpiece suspended from the ceiling that you see as you enter, where you are greeted with a loud “shamase“.
For those who prefer outdoor seating, there is a small, narrow terrace off the second floor. The numerous servers, all dressed in black, are eager to please but still need a bit of polish, though our server Martine was excellent. The menu offers no big surprises if you have ever been to other Nobu’s, featuring their signature dishes like black cod with miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, and rock shrimp tempura, found at their 47 other restaurants worldwide. Executive chef Alex Tzatzos, and his team of five chefs (that I counted), have introduced about three new dishes specific to Toronto. We tried the $90 lobster tempura that was beautifully presented but was frankly underwhelming—Ditto for the salmon tacos that lacked any discernible flavour.
The bar drinks were excellent, particularly the signature lychee martini and the oni Negroni. The wine list had excellent selections, though with the expected high markup, such as $945 for a bottle of Dom Perignon. As an internationally celebrated luxury brand restaurant with over 30 years in business, Nobu caters to those seeking a high-end dining experience with “new style” Japanese cuisine and the means to afford it.
Happy dining,
Shanea
08/29/2024
