My friends and I ate here for a holiday celebration. Since the restaurant was open less than a year ago in Waikiki, the popularity of this high-end Japanese restaurant was up there and the only available dinner slot for our party of 8 was at 830pm. Location was not too hard to find and is in the heart of Waikiki, where the old Parc Cafe was, across the Halekulani Hotel.

The Ambiance: First entering the restaurant, the lounge area is dark and the dance-house music is slamming; this made me feel like a club (not sure if this was so since it was a Saturday). Our party was seated in the furthermost back room and the atmosphere was loud (not for a romantic setting). This back room did have private areas that were separated with a long curtain. The wall decor was fabulous and designed with art that fit the restaurant.

Food Rating: Delicious and creative. Our waiter informed us that there were signature dishes that popularized the restaurant. As a large party, we had a few food items: As for Cold Dishes: The blackened-ahi salad was a good start with a generous serving. The Oysters (3 total were topped with individual sauces) seemed interesting but not justified by the price. The Ahi Poke Salad Nobu Style was OK but very small in size for the price. You can get better and more poke at a local fish market. As for the Hot Dishes: I would recommend the Steamed Sea Bass with Dried Miso, this was a tasty dish that came with 2 medium sized fillets. The Eggplant Miso was also a good vegetable dish. Our friends ordered the Sushi and Sashimi Dinners, they looked plentiful and fish looked fresh.

Service: Our primary waiter was great, his explanation and recommendations were helpful to all of us. The other staff that brought out the dishes were the opposite, some brought us the wrong dishes, failed to mention what the order and simply did the "drop and go". Our waiter's outstanding service was balanced by the disservice of the other staff.

Bottom Line: This is a expensive Japanese food-chain that caters to visitors of Hawaii. Skip this restaurant if you have a party more than 4. Based on Nobu's popularity, I expected better service from this restaurant.

The atmosphere and the presentation of the dishes were my favorite part of my dining experience at Nobu. Unfortunately the food didn't strike me as much as its reputation.
I tried pretty much everything on their menu. I must say their sushi fish were very fresh, and their uni tempura was so creamy and unique.. it was delicious. Other side dishes were not so impressive. Sauces were dull and not so flavorful. The restaurant has the feel of a fancy bar and a line of sushi men under spot lights reminded me of bar tenders in style. very fancy..
I would probably go back to enjoy sake and its atmosphere, but not to seek for unique taste of Japanese fusion food..