Nobu Berkeley

15 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DY.
W: www.noburestaurants.com
E: berkeleyst@noburestaurants.com
T: 020 7290 9222

A showbiz fave, expect those who come here to want to be "seen"

Review

Where is it?

Located on Berkeley Street, this branch of Nobu is easily reached from Green Park tube station, though of course most diners here arrive in a slightly flashier mode of transport. Expect to see the paparazzi lined up as you make your way in, waiting to catch the great and good on their way in or out.

What's it like?

Start off at the glam ground-floor bar before making your upstairs to the elegant, tree wallpaper-lined restaurant area. If you want to watch the real stars (the chefs!) hard at work, request you sit at the sushi bar at the left of the restaurant as you enter, or else sit at one of main tables where you can keep an eye on everything going on around you! Afficiondos of Nobu Berkeley currently include Lily Allen, Jade Jagger, Nicole Kidman and, errr, Dale and Jen from Big Brother. Unfortunately, the international curse of Nobu abounds here as it does at every branch - the besuited, boring businessmen boasting of their City bonuses and sports cars' 0-60 times. The staff can be a bit over the top sometimes too, rushing to help you out of the chair when you just want to nip to the toilet, which becomes embarrassing if you're in a large party. For such a polite bunch, it's a shame they spend so much of their time standing around chatting to each other and they never seem quite sure whether they're allowed to make conversation with their guests or not. Ignore the odd staff and finance bores though, because the food rocks - start off with sashimi appetisers (fleshy, raw beef is the best) and then go on for either the infamous blackened cod or more sushi. Main courses are £20-30, and for the most part are of an exceptional standard. One word of advice: book early!

Why does Johnny Ikon love it?

The fun and fabulous make up the customer base and the food is out of this world. Truly the best of its kind.

Johnny recommends somewhere to go afterwards

	Embassy London 29 Old Burlington Street, W1S 3AN. Embassy is the ultimate WAGs and reality TV stars' haven
	Chinawhite 6 Air Street, W1B 5AA. Ten years at the top!
	Crystal 78 Wells Street, W1T 3QL. Jet set favourite
	Jalouse 17 Hanover Square, W1S 1HU. One of 2008's biggest new openings