For somewhere special to both eat and stay in London, there is nowhere better than the Nobu Portman Square. Find out what we thought of the restaurant and hotel and what you need to know here…
Staycations are currently more popular than ever and while it might be tempting to flock to the countryside, we suggest an oasis in the heart of the city instead. The oasis we are talking about? Nobu Portman Square. Recently opened following a £££ renovation, the Nobu London Portman Square offers a tranquil escape from daily life. It whisks you from the hustle and bustle of the city and into a place of pure relaxation. From the moment you step through the large glass doors into an atrium flooded with light, you know that you are somewhere special. It’s effortlessly beautiful, sophisticated and relaxing. The lobby is a stunning open space with sleek furnishings and large pieces of statement art on the walls. One such piece is a striking silver creation that sits suspended from the ceiling and turns on a steady rotation.
I complete an effortlessly smooth check-in and am shown up to my room. The Nobu Portman Square is in what used to be a Radisson Blu Hotel and is a listed building. The outside is relatively unassuming, yet the interiors are anything but. Swish carpets pave the way to wooden framed doors with electric “do not disturb” indicators outside the doors – a welcome addition, particularly in this covid era. I push the door open and instantly feel calm. Decor is in muted tones; soft greys, clean lines and restrained natural fabrics. It is a picture of pure Japanese minimalism and is a space that you can feel your worries instantly melt away.
A large bed sits in the centre of the room – one that you can starfish on and still not cover much of the surface area. The pillows are plump and inviting, the sort that once you have laid on them you will have a very hard time dragging yourself up again. It looks out to a balcony; something that is rare in London hotels. It is the small details here that stand out, from the Japanese teapot and crackers that sit on the bedside, to the sensor lights beneath the bedside tables that guide you back after a trip to the washroom in the middle of the night. There is a dedicated dressing area that is ideal for getting ready for your meal down in the Nobu restaurant and small reading lights on the wall make for a handy nighttime read. The bathroom is decorated in sweeping marble with a rain shower and Grown Alchemist amenities. While here, you can forget the craziness of the outside world and encase yourself in your very own bubble of tranquillity.
I pour a glass of champagne, open the balcony doors and feel the soft breeze tease at my hair. It’s London, but not as I expect. I feel I am abroad, with that same anticipatory feeling that you can’t wait to get out and explore. Where you feel you are being really taken care of and you know you will go home with less weight on your shoulders. Light puddles on the streets below and there’s a gentle hum of traffic, but it’s not loud enough to be bothersome. With the balcony door shut, I can’t hear anything at all.
At 7pm my partner and I head down to the Nobu restaurant that is situated on the first floor. Nobu is known for its fine dining and having been to their restaurant in Miami (and been suitably blown away) I was excited for what was to come. The restaurant is stunning and sophisticated, with wraparound windows that really open the space up, allowing light to flood in during the day and the stars to be seen once night falls. Decorated in soft greys and natural wood tones, it feels swanky yet effortlessly so. It has the air of somewhere that is special but without trying too hard and it works. Very well.
The Nobu Portman Square restaurant has the capacity to hold 200 guests plus eight at the sushi counter (once Covid rules allow) and while it is busy on the night of my visit, it is all the better for it. The air is electric with the aplomb of a place that everyone is appreciative to be at. After months of home-cooked dishes, the culinary excellence of Nobu Portman Square is a welcomed one. Chefs chop and prepare sushi with a dedicated flair, sake flows into glasses and people relax into their chairs, dining slowly, appreciating the flavours, the atmosphere and the chance to be out. Out out, no less.
We sink down into a booth style seating in front of a window before being greeted by our friendly waiter of the evening. I would suggest to anyone who wants the real Nobu experience to opt for the omakase multi-course tasting menu. A real feast for all the senses, it will transport you to a true culinary paradise. The menu consists of Yellowtail Jalapeno; Tuna Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing; Salmon Nigiri; Seabass Nigiri; California Roll; Clear Soup; Miso Black Cod; Beef Toban Yaki & Upper Berkeley St. Cheesecake. Each and every course is spectacular.
We begin with sushi where soft pillows of rice envelope expertly prepared cuts of fish, moving on to the yellowtail jalapeno. Silken in texture, it packs a punch in flavour, while the tuna sashimi salad is so beautifully presented it almost seems a shame to touch it. The Miso black cod is a signature dish of Nobu and it doesn’t disappoint. Sweet, silky and buttery it is deliciously light and melts in your mouth. The beef toban yaki however, is a real showstopper; brought over to the table on individual ceramic dishes, it sizzles as the lid is removed, enveloping us in the mouthwatering scent. The beef is deliciously tender, cooked to perfection and a real treat for the tastebuds. Our meal ends with the Upper Berkeley St. Cheesecake that is soft, creamy and light, and a cocktail each. We feel pleasantly full in the way that only a truly good food can do to you, teetering on the edge of a food coma but not quite there.
Cocktail wise, I opt for their signature jalapeno and ginger martini, a combination that I was intrigued to try. An expert blend of JJ Whitley vodka, fresh jalapeno, ginger liqueur, basil leaves and a touch of citrus, it is refreshing and spicy. Served in a martini glass and garnished with a jalapeno I am pleasantly surprised at just how delicious it is, balancing all the flavours with a carefully executed precision. My partner chooses his signature Old Fashioned and, is equally as pleased with his choice.
The Nobu Portman Square is a hotel that does not disappoint. Other similar, reputable hotels can sometimes sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that their name alone will drive in custom, yet Nobu doesn’t do this. It works to prove that it is worthy of the praise and reputation that it holds, making you feel special from the very moment you first arrive until the moment you unwillingly leave at the end of your stay. If you are carrying any weight on your shoulders or stress when you arrive, you can rest assured that this will feel significantly lighter by the time you leave. For the best Japanese food this side of Tokyo, a night of slumber that will leave you relaxed and refreshed and service that goes far above and beyond your expectations, look no further than the Nobu Portman Square.
