Nobu Shoreditch has been on my wish list since it opened last year, so I was super excited that Steven had booked us in for brunch on my birthday. Nobu may already be a London institution, but there’s something a bit special about its Shoreditch sister.
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch is the first European hotel by the global brand’s inimitable founders, actor Robert De Niro and master chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Tucked away on Willow Street it certainly has a striking look and features 148 guest rooms, spa, fitness studio, the famous high-end Japanese-Peruvian restaurant and a new relaxed Nobu Café in the lobby.
It was hard to predict whether brunch would have a chilled or party vibe on a warm bank holiday weekend (there is a DJ booth after all), but the restaurant felt calm with most guests basking in the sun in the outdoor courtyard. We were kindly given a choice of tables and opted for a cool and cosy booth, strategically in view of the open kitchen.
Weekend brunch at Nobu Shoreditch is a luxurious affair and includes one main dish each as well as edamame and unlimited access to a bountiful brunch and dessert bar. There’s a generous choice of dishes to choose from and I was thrilled to see Nobu’s signature Black cod den miso as an option, especially as it’s a cool £42 on the a la carte menu.
Matcha waffle and chicken with smoked maple tosazu and pecan miso butter was a spin on a brunch classic that actually worked really well. The chicken was succulent and crispy with a well-seasoned panko coating while the waffles had an intense matcha flavour and were complemented by the sweet butter and tangy, piquant sauces.
The brunch-size portion of Black cod den miso was tender and perfectly-cooked with sticky, caramelised miso edges – possibly the best I’ve ever tasted. Other tempting main dishes include rock shrimp tempura, beef tenderloin with scrambled eggs and the indulgent Matsuhisa Benedict.
The sushi counter was managed meticulously with an impressive selection of high-quality cold bites constantly replenished. Beef tenderloin ‘new style’ was very moreish (I lost track on how many pieces we ate) and we loved the melt-in-the-mouth Salmon sushi, California rolls, Shrimp tempura rolls, chilled Yellowtail sashimi and the artfully-presented Mushroom sushi. There was also a fresh salad station with assorted leaves and dressings, Crispy rice cubes and Spicy prawn served in decorative shells.
Filling up on sushi is all too easy, but it’s worth leaving some room for the excellent Japanese patisserie. Highlights were a velvety chocolate matcha tart, decadent matcha profiteroles and exquisite full-size macarons in a trio of flavours – sesame, matcha and wasabi miso. We also enjoyed lemon raspberry tart, matcha dorayaki, strawberry mousse with sake jelly and a variety of freshly-baked muffins, mini pastries, cookies and fresh cut fruit. If only we had space to squeeze in a slice of Nobu cheesecake – that will definitely haunt me now!
Brunch at Nobu really surpassed expectations and I was impressed by the offering of high-end dishes, efficient service and attention to detail, from the gorgeous tableware to the well-curated soundtrack. Dinner at Nobu can be eye-wateringly expensive, but the brunch poses good value, as you can graze on a number of the restaurant’s greatest hits and leave feeling more than satisfied. I’ll definitely be back soon to try the Nobu Cafe too – on the way out I spotted a rather fabulous dessert trolley and matcha soft serve!
Weekend brunch at Nobu Shoreditch is served from 11.30am to 3pm and is priced at £45 per person, including one main dish and unlimited access to brunch and dessert bar. For £55 you can add a glass of wine or Champagne and £75 gets you unlimited Prosecco, Aperol Spritz or Lychee elderflower martini for the duration of 2 hours. For more information and booking, visit: www.nobuhotels.com
All photos by Chérie City
