Sluurpy > Restaurants in Toorak > Nobori

Review Nobori - Toorak

Lester Mark
Nicely decorated restaurant at the rear of Toorak village. Staff are polite and helpful. We had a varied selection of the entrees which were all well done, delicate and tasty. We had tempura, steak and barramundi for mains which were also good. The service became a little slow as we progressed into the evening being a Saturday night, so decided to skip dessert.
Margaret Ho
Had a small but oh so satisfying dinner here with the bf before heading off to have more food with a friend. The sashimi was fresh and fulfilling, we were able to have a bit of everything and nothing disappointed. The takoyaki here was close to the best if not the best I've had in Melbourne. The perfect combination of crispy outside and fluffy inside with the right amount of octopus. Service was a bit slow and we ended up waiting for quite a while for dessert to come, which also ended up being swapped for another when they didn't have what we ordered. However, the staff were very friendly and apologetic, even giving us our replacement dessert for free. It's definitely still worth a return.
泽锦和璐璐
Microwave eel ! The rice of sushi Not fresh at all , cheap salmon! Fake Japanese food! If there is zero star, I will give it zero!
Stelyios
Beautiful local restaurant with extremely friendly staff and tasty food! We went late on a Friday night and selected various starters and main. We were enticed to this place via a promotion run by Dimmi however it can safely be said for great tasting Japanese without rye steep price tag this is the place. We ate from the seaweed salad, chicken udon noodles and gyozas and were well satisfied with the portion sizes.  The seaweed salad and chicken udon noodles are definitely something to to sample and to savour for. The seaweed salad will definitely appeal to those wanting to try something unusual however equally as tasty. Overall our dinning experience was pleasant and this restaurant is definitely recommended for anyone looking to have some a nice Japanese meal.
Yang Cheng
nice customer service, nice food
Jay Menon
Ordered take away via menulog. Ordered Sashimi, tempura and fried rice. The serve were very small. Presentation very ordinary.
Barry Wormless
Consistently fabulous food and terrific service in a lovely environment.
Kan So
Food likes Chinese food Waitress service is impolite
Daniel
Yummm!! I didn’t realise there was a Japanese place hidden at the back of the office buildings as everything was closed except for this restaurant. Really enjoyed the meal and definitely come<br/>Back again. The sashimi was so amazing and fresh, that we ended up ordering more.
The_littlehungrylife
This Japanese restaurant is a hidden gem. Although this location is a bit tricky to find, it’s has ample parking. I would prefer to come here over going to the city, as it is more intimate and spacious. <br/><br/> The quality and quantity is amazing here. With beautiful presented and delicious food. We had a variety of dishes. Our favourite were the sashimi, the mix prawn and vegetable tempura and the gyoza. <br/><br/>The gyoza were packed with flavour and perfectly fried. We loved the sashimi platter so much we ended up ordering another plate. <br/><br/>Overall the experience was great and I honestly would be coming back here for my Japanese hit!
Stelyios
Beautiful local restaurant with extremely friendly staff and tasty food!<br/><br/>We went late on a Friday night and selected various starters and main. We were enticed to this place via a promotion run by Dimmi however it can safely be said for great tasting Japanese without rye steep price tag this is the place. <br/><br/>We ate from the seaweed salad, chicken udon noodles and gyozas and were well satisfied with the portion sizes.  The seaweed salad and chicken udon noodles are definitely something to to sample and to savour for. The seaweed salad will definitely appeal to those wanting to try something unusual however equally as tasty.<br/><br/>Overall our dinning experience was pleasant and this restaurant is definitely recommended for anyone looking to have some a nice Japanese meal.
FoodforThought
I had quite high expectations coming to Nobori given some of the positive reviews but the experience was very disappointing even with 30% off with Dimmi’s.<br/>The lamb skewers tasted Indian instead of Japanese, the chawamushi was the most hideous and unappetising custard I’ve ever tasted, and the Wagyu beef the most chewy version I’ve ever had. The only positive was the freshness of the sashimi but even so, the portion was small.<br/>It’s unfortunately not authentically Japanese.
Stella Min Fa
Great food at great price with excellent customer service. Everyone had a fantastic time. Parking was right outside the restaurant Will go back again.
Jean Marc Ng
Nice food and staffs are very friendly. Been there twice and no regrets. Would definitely go eat there again with friends and family anytime
Rachel Lee
Enjoyed the ambience at Nobori tonight ... very clean and beautiful decor. Lots of dishes to choose from and very fresh seafood. Great service ... will come again😊
Priscilla
Ordered the chicken karaage, beef tataki, king fish carpaccio, agedashi tofu, small prawn and vegetable tempura, yakitori, and teriyaki chicken.<br/><br/>Highlights were the king fish carpaccio, beef tataki, and chicken karaage. The chicken karaage wasn't as deep fried/crispy as in most other Japanese restaurants - not necessarily a bad thing, I enjoyed it. The yakitori and teriyaki chicken on the other hand had the same sauce and tasted old/dry.<br/><br/>Service was friendly but it took a while for us to be seated.<br/><br/>+ King fish carpaccio<br/>+ Beef tataki<br/>+ Chicken karaage<br/>- Slow but friendly service
Huangkaiqin1
Amazing food,friendly dining environment,good services,a perfect dining-out experiences……sushi and all ingredience are fresh and delicious.seleted Saki from Japan can be chosen with food……
David Hewitt
First time here since the renaming of the venue. Overall, had a lovely meal. The sushi and ingredients are fresh and delicious. Good selection of sake as accompaniment. Friendly service. Great Japanese option in our neighbourhood.
An Antelope
Nobori serves beautifully fresh seafood that is a delight for both the tastebuds and sight. We ate delicacies including uni, akagai, geoduck, scampi, flounder fin, and o-toro (the last two are not to be missed!). Familiar fare such as tuna, snapper, salmon and king fish sashimi were can’t-be-stressed-enough, fresh, and were so much tastier than average. The king fish carpaccio was a highlight.<br/>I munched away happily all night on sushi. This is traditional Japanese cuisine done well, with care and refinement. Whilst I highly recommend the seafood, I’d steer away from the dessert. It wasn’t on par with the rest of the meal.
Hong Jun
I strongly recommend the sushi, yum! The chawanmushi is unbelievably good! Love all the dishes.<br/>You can have Japanese most famoussake there. The friendly staff, etc, worth it.
Jadonouyang07
Nobori Japanese restaurant is setting in the heart of Toorak village. We really enjoyed the meal. Great food, great service, great environment. Definitely recommended.
Birkin_babe
Showed up about 5 minutes before the time we had booked for only to find that they hadn’t recorded our booking (used the Zomato instant book function and received confirmation).<br/>They found us a table but then it took two and a half hours to receive most of our food. Then they told us that they had now run out of one of the main parts of our order (soba noodles).<br/>What food we did eat was good but it took far too long to be served which really soured the experience.<br/>We weren’t offered anything to make up for a poor dining experience and we ended up leaving still hungry despite having spent a decent amount of money.<br/>Undecided on whether or not we will ever return.
Cynthia Giang
Nobori is an intimate restaurant in Toorak which seats around 40 diners. The staff are extremely friendly, and deliver quality service although being a relatively new restaurant. They were attentive, and shared a good laugh whilst dining here. I was fortunate enough to have been invited to join them on their openig night, and was entertained with a reasonable dining experience. There was a fresh  octopus and wasabi dish that was absolutely divine and a real highlight that evening. The sashimi platter was presented beautifully, but the slices of fish were a little too thick so they did not melt in the mouth, and the oyster and bits of shell in it. The wagyu main was cooked well, but the flavouring was a touch on the sweeter side. Overall, the evening served up to be a treat. However, there were just a slight lack of finesse to take it to a higher calibre.
Celyna Ma
This is an authentic and good quality japanese restaurant. Service was friendly and the atmosphere was nice. Food was delicious and was presented immaculately. I would reccomend coming if you enjoy sashimi and japanese deserts. :)
Onlybeyoutothefull
My friend and I went on a Sunday evening around 8 and it was still quite busy. I would recommend to book ahead of time.<br/><br/>The ambience is super nice and clean. Waiters were very attentive and friendly.<br/>Food was really good and presentation was gorgeous! Definitely would come back! <br/>A bit pricey but it was well worth it. <br/>We also received complimentary matcha lattes :)
Penny Shih
We heard good things about this little gem from a friend of ours, and as lovers of the Japanese cuisine, we decided to come try it for ourselves! We were not disappointed. <br/><br/>Firstly, the aesthetics of the restaurant is absolutely wonderful, giving a modern twist in the traditional Japanese decor. <br/><br/>It is hard to fault the dishes that we ordered. The sashimi deluxe platter and the oysters were beautifully presented and it was very fresh. <br/><br/>The staff were all very attentive and friendly! It was a great experience and we definitely come back!
Shirley Tan Lee Fong
Food was extremely good and fresh ! Presentation of the food was great as well! Service are excellent special mention to Alce and Dixon as a brilliant host in the restaurant as well as Danielle who works in the bar, making some really good cocktails! The owner of the restaurant was extremely friendly, she approached me and my husband and making sure that everything's fine. The only thing that need to be concern is the waiting time for the food is unusually long. But was compliment by the host a nice warm matcha latte to pair with our Panna cotta as apology. Will definitely visit for the next time even though it's a little far from my place but it's worth it !
Annie Antonio
The place is nice and cozy, perfect for an intimate dinner. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. The service from staff is excellent and always check to see if your finished your meal before clearing up the plates. The food tastes amazing, full of flavour and wasn’t salty which, impressed me immensely. Each dish presented were full of flavour. I would definitely recommend this place for a date or if you want great tasting Japanese food.
Inno128
Do take note that this review is based off the food and not service. <br/><br/>Quaint little restaurant off the side street. Would not have known of it if it wasn't through a random stumble on zomato and decided to come here for dinner.<br/><br/>Upon entering the restaurant, I was quite surprised at how pretty the place was. Definitely had a good ambience to it.<br/><br/>Food was of good quality and taste pretty good too. We ordered the Agedashi Tofu, Karaage, and Beef Tartare to start with. Followed on with the Deluxe Sashimi that came with scampi and shell fish. Main was Wafu Steak and the Duckling Saikyouyaki with a beef Japanese fried rice. Finishing off with a Green Tea cream Panna cotta and a Nobori cheesecake. <br/><br/>Agedashi Tofu & Karaage - both yum, can't fault them. The tofu dish had a rich mushroom-y flavour, which I enjoyed. Karaage.. Fried chicken, can't go wrong.<br/><br/>Beef Tartare - flavours were a little mild but otherwise good. <br/><br/>Deluxe sashimi - fresh! Generous! However the wasabi lacked the kick that I am used to.<br/><br/>Wafu steak - so tender that my chopstick pierced right through it without effort. However, it did just look like a standard sizzling plate of beef. No issues though just looks a little out of place and lacked the Japanese appeal.<br/><br/>Duckling - partner says it was overcooked. However, that seems to be the standard with ducks from Asian restaurants anyway. Skin could have been crisper and fat rendered a little more.<br/><br/>Fried rice - really can't go wrong with fried rice unless you're expecting a fancier version?<br/><br/>Desserts - cheesecake was just a normal cheesecake. Was hoping for it to be more like the Japanese cotton cheesecake but no, it looks and taste more like your standard cheesecake. However, the green tea Panna cotta was so yum! Could have had another plate of that easily.<br/><br/>All in all, I wouldn't mind returning; good ambience, good food.
Ev
Came here for dinner with friends, the atmosphere is very nice. Beautifully decorated place. The service was good and attentive. Enter came quite quickly, but there's a bit delay until main. The manager was very apologetic about the delay. In general it's a good night out.
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
Nobori – to climb up – is a fitting name, given you have to ascend a flight of stairs to find this somewhat hidden Japanese restaurant. Nobori was once Orita’s, but has since undergone a rebrand and a renewal of the menu, thanks to the skills of the head chef who hails from Japan. Pickled appetiser
Munching Melbourne
Walk in and you'll be greeted by great interior and lovely staff members.<br/><br/>They offer an impressive menu which features oysters, pork gyoza, sushi deluxe, sashimi platter, wagyu loin, cheese cake and matcha panacotta. We were pleasantly surprised by every dish and couldn't fault any. <br/><br/>Oh, don't forget to try their cocktail menu. If you're at a lost of which to choose, the bartender will be more than helpful!<br/><br/>Nobori has only been open for a month but we predict you'll be seeing a line of people before you even see the door by early next year. Definitely get in before the word spreads about this gem!
Misscleanliving
If you're a seafood fan, Nobori is DEFINATELY for you! Their sashimi platter honestly knocked my socks off!! It is full of oysters, scampi, salmon, king fish, akagai, tuna AND sushi! And the presentation was so beautiful! This resturant has just opned up in Toorak and we will hands down be going back!
Suzie Scribbles
Hidden away off Toorak Road, Nobori is Toorak Village’s new eatery – serving up a mix of authentic Japanese food, and modern main courses, many with a thoroughly British twist. We were invited to visit and sample some of the great dishes from their menu. Don’t be put off by the fact that Nobori is technically in a “shopping centre”. It’s a gorgeously decked out, classy, intimate restaurant, accommodating larger groups if necessary and offering an outdoor dining area overlooking a quiet street. It feels like fine dining, but relaxed and comfortable. The highly friendly staff and open kitchen make you feel as though you are visiting a friend’s for dinner (a really fancy friend, who’s a great cook, but still – it’s not stuck up is what I’m trying to say here – sorry guys, it’s been a long Monday!)
@twogoodtoresist
Nobori boasts a beautiful set up and high quality Japanese at an extremely reasonable price. The staff are lovely and very passionate about their food and everything is home made and fresh. The entrees that we had were delicious- the agedashi tofu with shitake mushroom sauce was simply delicious- we loved the authentic sauce and the serving size was extremely generous. Their tempura is a must try and is available in two sizes which caters to a little entree taste! The beef tartare with egg yolk was delicate and fresh. Finally the vegetarian home made gyozas were also great- light and tasty. For main we ordered the spicy tuna sushi and the nobori wagyu special. The sushi was fresh and tasty and the wagyu was of the highest quality and well complimented by the sauce and veggies. Cocktails were great and creative and they also offer an extensive list of beers (Japanese too) and wine. For dessert we tried the matcha pannacotta which was fresh and light. <br/>Note: on sundays for the next month, all food is 50% off- do not miss out!!!!<br/>If you appreciate good quality Japanese with a nice, classy (but not over the top) vibe then nobori is for you!
Barry Gallagher
Happy to go back again, loved the variety of food. Sat out on the balcony enjoying the start of summer. Tempura was a high point for me as it had a good variety of veg and fish.
TC
Love a sashimi platter and Nobori serves a beautiful and vibrant one! Can't go wrong with this local Japanese spot at the back of Toorak Village. The Wagyu Steak is also a must!!
Must Be Hungry
New fusion Japanese restaurant in Toorak. <br/><br/>Firstly the aesthetics of the place is nice, a high class Japanese restaurant atmosphere. <br/><br/>Staff were very good, customer service was all thumbs up. <br/><br/>Down to entrees, a wide variety to choose from. If you're not mindful of the prices then I'd try the lot. <br/><br/>Sushimi platter was amazing (please see picture) you'd be fighting others for the last piece. Personally I don't eat much oysters but this was an oyster from a different level. <br/><br/>For mains I had the fish and I'll be honest I did have foodies remorse because my friend got the wagu beef, which was tickling my taste buds for the rest of the night. <br/><br/>All in all a wonder new place, I recommend getting the wagu for main. <br/><br/>Only other thing is the location. It's up stairs tucked away like a gem. <br/><br/>MBH approved
The Fo0die
Fo0die dined as a guest of Nobori and as such, the rating does not give any consideration to customer service.<br/><br/>Recently rebranded from Oritas to highlight the change in management, Nobori is a Japanese restaurant with a chef from Hokkaido located in Toorak. Parking is free after 6pm on a weekday.<br/><br/><br/>>> Interior<br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>On entry, there is a bar on the left with a large communal marble table straight in front and various wooden tables and chairs around the restaurant.<br/><br/>The venue itself has undergone renovation along with the rebranding which introduced a bar and outdoor seating area to the restaurant. And we must admit that the interior is stunning and gives the traditional meets modern feel. The restaurant has been decked out with materials imported from Japan; from the tables to the timber used on the ceilings and wall.<br/><br/><br/>>> Food/Drinks<br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>As part of the grand opening event, we were treated to a 7 course set menu however the restaurant itself normally runs an alacarte menu with an extensive list of alcoholic beverages available thanks to the newly added bar.<br/><br/>All the dishes we sampled on the night was well presented and balanced with our favourite being the scallop cream otsukur appetiser and chawanmushi. Each dish had a little extra something to bring the dining experience up a little notch from the normal casual Japanese eatery; from the truffle on top of the chawanmushi to the seafood in the miso.<br/><br/>And while majority of the dishes were familiar dishes from the normal Japanese restaurants, the mains were notably different to the Japanese cuisine norm. Take for example the lamb rack cutlet served with a delicious radish and steamed vegetables; a little western meets Japanese.<br/><br/>Finishing off on a sweet note, the panna cotta had a nice matcha flavour to it and was on the slightly firmer side of the panna cottas of the world. With the ice cream combo not delivering as strong of a matcha flavour.<br/><br/>As one of our favourite cuisines, Nobori is a welcomed addition to Toorak.<br/><br/><br/>>> Dishes that make up this review<br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/>Daeron strips and Salmon roe, Wasabi Taco (octopus) and Scallops cream Otsukur.<br/> <br/>Chawanmushi; prawn, broad beans and shiitake mushroom<br/> <br/>Seafood soup; mixed seafood, Comstock and sake rees miso<br/> <br/>Oyster and Mix Sashimi; oyster, scampi, salmon, king fish, akagai, tuna, uni sushi<br/> <br/>Tempura Mix; prawn, asparagus, nori, shiitake mushroom<br/> <br/>Wagyu Beef<br/><br/>Lamb Rack Cutlet<br/> <br/>Green Tea Panna Cotta with fresh mixed berries and special sauce <br/><br/>Ice Cream Combo and fresh mix berries with sweet ginger sauce.<br/><br/><br/>Follow me on Instagram for more photos: @fo0die (with a zero)
Nicole Tang
Such a great new Japanese restaurant! Walking up a set of stairs to the serene, Japanese garden-like venue, Nobori pleasantly surprises with their intimate venue complete with outdoor seating on their balcony. Staff are genially friendly, with good recommendations for food and drinks on the menu. Attending their launch night, we were treated to a 7-course feasting of all things Japanese, which left us feeling immensely satisfied and full to the brim! Which is saying something considering Japanese food can often be considered quite light and not too filling!<br/><br/>Their oyster and mix sashimi platter is a must-try, with superbly fresh seafood that tastes amazing too. Tempura battered prawns and vegetables are deliciously crunchy. Their main meals include more western-style lamb and steak amongst other options, which may appeal to those who like a bit of fusion mixed into the Japanese-leaning menu. Desserts can be as simple as ice cream with fruits, or their decadent matcha (green tea) pannacotta with fresh mixed berries and special sauce, which looks very impressive on the plate. Definitely worthy of a visit if you enjoy an authentic Japanese experience.
Andy Trancao
We had a fantastic experience at Nobori, the staff were very friendly and helpful when we asked what they recommended. <br/><br/>We had a variety of dishes ranging from assorted sushi and sashimi and also some spectacular desserts! <br/><br/>Will definitely be returning soon!
吳宗翰
Poor food. The staffs are trying to provide good services, but they do it in an awkward and uncomfortable way. TRYING TOO HARD!!!<br/><br/>Trying too be friendly, but keep interrupting our meal.
Split The Bill
We were lucky to be invited to Nobori Japanese Restaurant in Toorak for its restaurant opening.<br/><br/>We were excited to begin our seven course meal of authentic Japanese cuisine.<br/><br/>The restaurant decor was beautiful and well lit as was the entrance as you walk in. The wait staff were very welcoming and always made sure we had something to drink.<br/><br/>Our 7 course meal commenced with three small bowls of seafood. The Scallops cream Otsukuri was our personal favourite with it melting in your mouth. Not being a fan of Wasabi, the Wasabi Taco (Octopus) was very tangy and texture was a bit too soft although Wasabi connoisseurs would definitely love this!<br/><br/>Next was the Chawanmushi which was a bit cold. A first time for us tasting something like this however not something we’d recommend. A bit too mushy for our liking. Some others seemed to enjoy it though!<br/><br/>The seafood soup was absolutely beautiful. Would have had 3 of those to ourselves if we had the choice! Definitely recommend this.<br/><br/>Next was Sashimi dish which was presented beautifully. Not being an avid fan of Sashimi, this was still very tasty and fresh! After Sashimi was the Tempura dish which was also great! Loved the asparagus and fried spaghetti. Accompanying sauce was very popular amongst us and others.<br/><br/>Finally time for the meat which took a long time to come out but was worth the wait! Our favourite dish was definitely the Wagyu Beef Fillet. Beef was cooked perfectly and was super tender and the accompanying sauce was a great addition. Lamb Rack Cutlets were also lovely. <br/><br/>We were lucky to taste both deserts. First was an Ice cream with a combo of fruit with ginger sauce. Second was green tea panna cotta with fruit. Quite plain choices but tasty nevertheless. <br/><br/>Cocktails were presented beautifully with the Espresso Martini being one of the best we have tasted in a long time.<br/><br/>Thank you for inviting us and providing such a wonderful experience. Would definitely recommend and go back!
Linh Danh
My boyfriend and I's favourite cuisine is Japanese, so we were quite excited to try Nobori on the week that they first opened and we were not disappointed! The highlight of our dinner was the Sashimi Deluxe platter as we both really like sashimi, all the fish and seafood on the platter were really fresh and delicious! The service was also great as all the waiters were quite attentive, which made our dining experience a lot more enjoyable.
Daily Food News
We were lucky enough to get invited to the grand opening at Norbori on a fine Wednesday evening. The entrance of the restaurant had a special vibe with many bouquet of flowers and a special featured large stone vase with the most vibrant blossom and vines. The night featured a 7 course meal which surprised all of us. The dishes had a Japanese and Western mix which was different and unique but at the same time, tasted amazing. A mixture of sushi and sashimi platters with a refreshing scallop appetiser were the highlights of the night. Colourful and precisely dished up plates matched nicely with the well furnished and traditionally designed restaurant. The mains for the night were perfectly cooked Lamb Cutlets and the well known Wagyu beef which by the way, melted in our mouth with it's stunning flavour. In conclusion, there is no doubt we'll be back at Nobori - it's simply a must dine in Toorak.
Good Food Good Mood
I was delighted to be invited to the grand opening of Noburi on Thursday as Japanese is one of my favourite cuisines. Straight off the bat we were wowed by a luxe entrance complete with a water feature, a giant decorative hanging kimono and an array of gorgeous scented bouquets no doubt celebratory opening flowers. It was just as beautiful inside with a stunning marble bar and table tops and a cute little balcony area with lots of bonsai. <br/>We started with a round of cocktails which were surprisingly quite reasonably priced. I actually favoured the Eastsider which was very refreshing even though I though I would most enjoy the lychee ginger martini. The martini was sweet but also had a good kick of alcohol to it. Nice and fruity. The meal began with a trio of entrees. The scallop was undeniably my fave, cooked perfectly, with a great creamy textural element on top and I adored the flavoursome sauce. The other two were a little more traditional and not something I'd tried before. These were a bit more polarising at the table amongst those whose tastebuds weren't quite accustomed.<br/>The mixed sashimi was so visually appealing on the plate. It presented exceptionally beautifully and tasted just as good as it looked. Super fresh and delicious. The mixed tempura was also very tasty. A lovely light batter. <br/>For main course I had half the wagyu fillet and half the lamb rack sharing between two. I found these dishes a bit inconsistent with the rest of the menu which was very authentic. The roast vegetables accompanying them were particularly confusing although there was a Japanese radish on the plate. Overall the sauces on both dishes were the stand out and had more of a traditional flavour. The wagyu itself was melt in the mouth perfection.<br/>For dessert we sampled both the green tea pana cotta and ice cream combo with berries. The pana cotta had a strong matcha flavour and was executed with a perfect wobble. The ice cream for me was a bit simple in construct but came with a punchy ginger syrup which was quite interesting and something a bit different. Overall the menu offers the opportunity to sample some really traditional dishes I've never seen before (not even during travels to Japan) such as the chawanmushi which was almost a set custard texture of shiitake, prawns and broad beans. Definitely a must try for all those adventurous Melbourne foodies who are excited to experience something different and broaden their palettes
Nay Nay
Lovely new Japanese Restaurant in Toorak. Started with the cocktails which were well made and on point. Some absolutely traditional dishes with the traditional raw meats and tempura paired with the right sauces worked a treat. Sake paired with the dishes worked well. Warm custard was was interesting. Soups paired with some great pallete cleansers. The matcha dessert was the ideal way to end the night.
Espy Eats
We were lucky enough to get invited to the restaurant launch event at Nobori, a newly opened Japanese restaurant just behind the shops in Toorak village. Subtle signage led us to an intricately decorated entrance way that was like walking through a temple garden entrance. The interiors to the restaurant were spot on. Sleek wood finishes and textured lighting and an open pass so you could see all the action. The bar was also impressive. Easy listening music played quite loudly throughout the venue. Kelisi hit the nail on the head when she commented this it was like listening to Kenny G.<br/><br/>The opening event consisted of 7 course sample menu and there was a variety of items to explore with many dishes which I hadn't sampled before. It started with a trio of appetisers which included Salmon roe, Wasabi octopus and a Scallop cream Otsukur dish. For me the standout here was a scallop which had a hugely impactful sauce. I also loved the salmon roe. I love that pop. <br/><br/>Our second course was a Chawanmushi which was a set egg based dish with prawns, mushrooms and broadbeans cleverly served in a clear espresso style cup. This dish was nicely truffled. I personally am challenged by this style of eggy dish, perhaps it's my western pallet or just me.<br/><br/>Moving on we next had a miso soup that contained seafood elements. I love miso soup and the addition of seafood was a winner for me.<br/><br/>Perhaps the highlight of the meal for me arrived next, a shashimi sharing platter which was as decedent as it was visually stunning. There was scampi, oysters and some items I had never tried before (akagai clam). So fresh and so stunning. <br/><br/>The Tempura mixed plate came just before the main and was almost as impressive as the sashimi platter and we as a table ate with great gusto. <br/><br/>For main I ordered the wagyu beef which was absolutely butter tender and full of flavour. The accompanying teriyaki based sauce provided on the side was also very good. I was a little disappointed to see western style veggies on the plate as they seemed strangely out of place with the rest of the meal and were over cooked and in need of seasoning.<br/><br/>Dessert option one was a green tea and vanilla ice cream combo with a sweet ginger sauce which packed quite a kick. This was Kelisi's absolute favourite. The other dessert option was a green tea panna cotta which was a lot stronger in green tea taste and had a savoury seasame stick horizontally fastened which worked really well together. This dessert was quite rich.<br/><br/>There were many great cocktails and the favourite from our table seemed to be the Lychee Ginger Martini but in my opinion you couldn't go past the Eastside with its refreshing citrus, mint and cucumber combination. <br/><br/>Overall I enjoyed the menu and drinks and there were some absolute standouts, but similarly some items that due to my western taste buds and textural preferences, I didn't enjoy. <br/><br/>I haven't commented on service given, as that this was not a typical restaurant dining experience but the staff were friendly and informative.
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