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2024-11-11
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We have visited this restaurant back in 2018, before the hotel has closed down for renovation and returning to its former name. Today, knowing that their famous owner Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has come to HK and will be in the restaurant, we return to try out his fancy in this new space, looking for the surprises he has in weaving South American flavours into traditional Japanese cuisine.Arriving at Regent Hong Kong, we come to the restaurant, located on the 2/F. The staff greets us warmly and shows u
We have visited this restaurant back in 2018, before the hotel has closed down for renovation and returning to its former name. Today, knowing that their famous owner Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has come to HK and will be in the restaurant, we return to try out his fancy in this new space, looking for the surprises he has in weaving South American flavours into traditional Japanese cuisine.
Arriving at Regent Hong Kong, we come to the restaurant, located on the 2/F. The staff greets us warmly and shows us to our table, a comfortable banquette with the amazing night view of Victoria Harbour as backdrop. There are seats at the sushi counter on one side, but unless you are dying for conversation with the chef, there is not much reason to take those. The décor is neat but quite simplistic, more akin to a casual diner.
There is a special menu on the day, Nobu in Town Omakase Menu ($1,888). To pair with the food, I have ordered a bottle of Nobu Daiginjo YK-35 ($1,580) also. This house sake is served in all the Nobu restaurants in the world, smooth and with a good rice flavours. Versatile.
The first course is Sawara Pico de Gallo 鰆魚配番茄洋蔥莎莎. A very good example of the Peruvian influence, the chef has mixed an appetizing salsa, with tomato, onion, some finely chopped green and red bell peppers, coriander, with plenty of lime juice. The acidity is balanced with some sweet mango pieces. The Japanese Spanish mackerel has been torched briefly on the skin to give a bit of smokiness, while the flesh is still raw and soft. Highly appetizing and very delicious.
The second course is Nobu Style Sashimi – Yonten Mori 新派刺身 四點盛. The four sashimi includes the crunchy Tsubugai, with the chef adding a bit of dashi jelly as condiment to give richer umami flavours; the soft Kinmedai with some shredded pickled daikon on the side; an avocado nori taco, with some Uni on top; and the last one being a spicy Toro tartare with some caviar on top. Very different from what you would experience in Japanese restaurants, however the assortment and combination do not feel awkward, with the flavours a good match in fact.
The third course is Omakase Sushi Selection with Awabi Clear Soup 特選壽司配鮑魚清湯. The four sushi includes Maguro, Hirame, Aji, and Ikura. Though cannot compare with the sushi restaurants we frequently visit, they are not bad, with the ingredients fresh and the shari of good texture and appropriate sourness. There is a abalone clear soup on the side to help warm up the stomach, delicate yet flavourful. Still this is the dish I don’t think I will miss.
The fourth course is Seared Scallop Pear Salad Yuzu Dry Miso 帆立貝沙律配日本梨乾味噌. Sandwiched between are pieces of juicy and sweet pear, with the light taste helping to showcase the delicate scallops. With some dry miso and Parmesan cheese to complement with its savoury taste, and some deep-fried burdock shreds to give a contrast in texture, this is a creative dish but the stronger flavours of the miso and cheese has masked the scallops significantly.
The fifth course is Lobster with Creamy Spicy Shiso Salsa 龍蝦配香辣忌廉紫蘇莎莎. My favourite dish in the evening, the lobster is grilled together with a very delicious and creamy spicy shiso salsa, with good acidity, nice spiciness that excite but not burn the palate, and the fragrance of the shiso permeating throughout. The lobster is very fresh, with firm and bouncy meat, and the sweetness is integrating well with the sauce, complementing each other. Though not exactly look like a typical Japanese dish, it is a must try.
The sixth course is A5 Wagyu Matsutake with Seasonal Mushroom Teriyaki Sauce A5和牛配松茸 時令蘑菇照燒汁. The Miyazaki beef has been cut into relatively thin slices, grilled perfectly with caramelized surface while juicy and pinkish on the inside, seasoned well. The teriyaki sauce is appealing, with good umami and sweetness, and the seasonal matsutake mushroom is also impeccable in quality. Another nice dish.
The seventh and final course is Yuzu Parfait with Shiso Lychee Sorbet 士多啤梨柚子芭菲配紫蘇荔枝雪葩. With plenty of fresh, sweet strawberries inside the white chocolate wrap, the parfait is sitting on a strawberry sauce while on top there is also a shiso lychee sorbet, with a refreshing touch of the herbal and fruit characters. A nice finale, with everything just right on sweetness so not feeling guilty or too indulgent at the end.
Service is good, and Chef Nobu has been walking around the restaurant to greet the customers and take photos. The bill on the night is $5,991 and while it is quite expensive, considering the opportunity to meet up with the legendary chef it is worth coming. For the food and experience, they are just different, and you should not compare with those traditional Japanese restaurants.
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