Anyone who knows good food – and likely even those who don’t – will recognise the name Nobu. It’s easily the world’s most famous contemporary Japanese restaurant, with more than 50 venues in some of the fanciest hotels around the world. Whether you’ve dined at all three of Nobu’s Aussie outposts or have been saving up your whole life, this is the time to splurge.
World-famous chef and co-founder of the global empire, Nobu Matsuhisa, is venturing far from his namesake restaurant in Beverly Hills for a grand Australian tour in May. He’ll grace the kitchens at his Nobu establishments located within Crown Sydney, Crown Perth and Crown Melbourne, giving fans and foodies a rare chance to brush shoulders with the celebrity chef himself.
Matsuhisa will touch down in Sydney for his first series of ticketed events, starting with a sophisticated pool party overlooking Sydney Harbour on Thursday, May 2. At $475 per person, you’ll get to sample the finest sushi and sashimi, along with classic cocktails featuring Don Julio tequila. A-list live celebrity entertainment and a dip in one of Sydney's most spectacular infinity pools will make this a night to remember.
If you prefer something more intimate, then Matsuhisa will also host a Gochiso sushi lunch on Saturday, May 4. Tickets are $120 per person and you can expect to taste some of Nobu’s signature dishes – black cod miso, we’re looking at you – plus a glass of Oatley wine.
Chef Matsuhisa will then take his grand Aussie tour to Perth, where he’ll host a cocktail party on Tuesday, May 7, followed by an exclusive eight-course dinner with beverage pairings on Wednesday, May 8.
He’ll then make a final stop at his very first-ever Australian Nobu within Crown Melbourne, for a ‘Taste of Nobu’ cocktail event on Friday, May 10. It’ll be luxe with a capital L, with each $450 ticket inclusive of caviar, oyster, live sushi stations, roving canapés, Nobu sake, DJ entertainment, and a chef meet and greet.
Melburnians also lucked out with the only sushi masterclass, which will be hosted by chef Matsuhisa on April 10. Don’t worry if your sushi doesn’t cut it, as a fancy four-course lunch with paired beverages will follow. A sharing-style four-course Mother’s Day lunch with matching beverages will round out Nobu’s Australian tour on May 12, where you and mum will even get a rare chance to snap a pic with the chef.
You can visit the Crown website to find out more about the events in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.