“Nobu” Restaurant on Lana’i Opens

By Vanessa Wolf

Tiradito Nobu Style. Courtesy photo.

It’s already been delayed once or twice, but the new Nobu at the Four Seasons Lana’i Resort at Manele Bay officially opens tonight.

With locations as far flung as Moscow, Mexico City, Cape Town, Budapest, and Dubai already under his belt, it is no wonder Chef Matsuhisa’s latest Nobu on Lana’i has caused such buzz.

Located inside the Manele Bay Four Seasons and world renowned for its award-winning “New Style” Japanese cuisine, this latest Nobu is certain to be impressive.

The intended restaurant was announced in late October and is believed to be a favorite of the private island’s new (majority) owner, Larry Ellison, as he also owns the property which houses Nobu Malibu.
In June, Ellison, co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation, the world’s largest business software company, completed the purchase of a reported 98% of the 141-square mile acre of Lana’i. The deal included the two Four Season’s resorts, a golf course, and all of the utilities (water and electric) on the island.

The Nobu menus at the other 25 locations traditionally feature an array of Japanese-inspired dishes running the gamut from the familiar to the rare and extraordinary. Cold dishes such as Chef Matsuhisa’s signature yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno or monkfish pate with caviar will likely be offered alongside a variety of cold ceviche (a popular Central and South American dish typically made from fresh raw fish or seafood, marinated in citrus juices, and spiced with chili peppers) creations.

Nobu’s Black Cod Saikyo Miso. Courtesy photo.

Other menu standards and standouts include black cod saikyo miso, lobster with wasabi pepper sauce and beef tobanyaki (a style of Japanese cooking utilizing an iron griddle). Diners can also anticipate a vast array of tempuras and extensive creative and exotic sushi and sashimi offerings.

The restaurant promises that Nobu Lana’i will draw upon Chef Matsuhisa’s classical sushi chef training in Tokyo, his time spent living in South America, and his worldwide travels in order to “showcase Chef’s signature new-style Japanese cuisine, as well as new creations infusing local Hawaiian ingredients.”

Maui residents and visitors hoping to sample this latest culinary offering will need to plan to book a room or dine early, as the last ferry back to the Lahaina harbor departs Manele Bay at 6:45 p.m.

Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line. Mahalo. -Vanessa (@mauinow.com)