Nobuya — Restaurant in Milan

The Good: The chef at Nobuya is truly exceptional , the food quality was sublime and showcased real culinary artistry. Every dish was beautifully crafted and delicious. The restaurant's design is elegant with comfortable seating that creates a pleasant dining atmosphere.

The Disappointing: However, for a restaurant offering omakase, the experience fell far short of authentic Japanese dining standards. As someone accustomed to traditional omakase service, I was disappointed that we weren't seated at the counter to watch the chef's preparation, this interaction is fundamental to the omakase experience.

Major Service Issues: The sake sommelier was particularly disappointing. He lacked proper knowledge about the sakes being served, frequently mistaking taste profiles and polish rates didn,t know about the regions in Japan. Most concerning was that sake bottles were wrapped in plastic film, preventing guests from reading labels or learning about origins , completely defeating the purpose of sake appreciation. Additionally, sake pairings consistently arrived after we had already received our food, rather than before each dish as proper pairing etiquette dictates.

The pacing was also problematic , dishes followed each other at breakneck speed, like there was a speed train going on in the kitchen. This rushed service, combined with being unable to see the chef's preparation, made the freshness of ingredients debatable and eliminated the contemplative, mindful experience that defines proper omakase.

The staff also showed poor understanding of Japanese dining etiquette. Soy sauce was poured carelessly "like water" rather than with the respect and precision it deserves in authentic Japanese service. Overall, the staff came across as rude rather than embodying the warm hospitality (omotenashi) expected in Japanese dining.

Bottom Line: While the chef's talent is undeniable, Nobuya feels more like fusion dining with Japanese influences rather than an authentic Japanese experience. For the price point of omakase, I expected much better service standards and cultural authenticity.

Recommendation: Great for those seeking high-quality Japanese-inspired cuisine, but look elsewhere if you want a traditional...

Far far away from expectations. 1- the quality of the ingredients are not bad but of course you expect the chef to add a twist but there was nothing. The fried fish was full of oil and you cannot even cut the skin. The sashimi and the starters are ice cold and looks and tastes like pre prepared. 2-we choose the omakase but it was not at all. It was just some dishes coming to your table from the a la carte menu. You dont sit in the chefs table and chef does not interact 3- the service is way beyond standards the waiters are inexperienced. When they asked about the food i said i was not satisfied they dont know how to manage it and we left the restaurant alone without anyone saying goodbye or anything. 4-in a restaurant this price level I expect a better ambiance and a set up rather than sitting in a small table next a wall.

So in a nutshell it was a total...

Peccato. Una vera delusione. Per 200€ a persona mi aspetto decisamente molto di più. Mi spiego: Il tavolo: non è accettabile a questo prezzo, far mangiare i clienti in un tavolo minuscolo, quasi da bar, letteralmente attaccato alla parete. Può andare bene magari per pranzo ma a cena mi aspetto standard ben diversi. Attenzione al cliente: avevo espressamente richiesto via mail un bel tavolo per una celebrazione speciale. Nessun si è curato della mia richiesta e ci può anche stare. Non capisco però perché far sedere gli unici tre clienti presenti uno vicino all'altro. Noi avevamo il muro da un lato e un tavolo ad un metro dall'altra parte, con nessuna privacy. Per quanto eravamo vicini, basti pensare che il tavolo di fianco, facendo cadere del vino, ha bagnato il vestito di mia moglie.. Non era più semplice distribuire i tre clienti su tutta la sala? Servizio: tre camerieri hanno servito al nostro tavolo, anziché sempre lo stesso, e tutti avevano un livello inadeguato di conoscenza nella descrizione delle portate. In più a noi è stata portata la carta dei vini mentre al tavolo di fianco è arrivato un sommelier a spiegare accuratamente la carta. Questo a testimonianza del fatto che per loro ci sono evidentemente clienti di serie A e altri di serie B... pazzesco! Cibo: assolutamente nella media. Nessun piatto wow nell'intero menù degustazione. Buona la materia prima ma nessun guizzo dello chef. Per il prezzo richiesto siete ben lontani da proporre un'esperienza accettabile. Onestamente, molto meglio...