My first disappointment with Nobu was at their Malibu location. There was not a single celebrity sighting. From a restaurant that gets so many mentions of celebrity dining, there was nobody, not even a male Kardashian. This was when I started to doubt People Magazine’s journalistic integrity. So i didn’t post a review. And also because I didn’t take enough pictures coz I was so busy looking up the door every time someone walks in. For whatever it’s worth, I don’t remember the food being bad.

When they opened here in Houston, I was willing to give it another try, this time with no celebrity expectation. At the end of the meal…there is still something. I decided to wait overnight before forming an opinion, then it dawned on me. I viewed Nobu like I would any other Asian restaurant — I would walk out really full and feel that they made a mistake in my bill.

Nobu’s portions are really tiny. Everything is bigger in Texas. Didn’t they know?

The drink are on point, though.

Dessert was my favorite. This came in an elaborate wooden box. No hold barred, presentation-wise.

Note that at the top of the picture there is a wine glass. That is how they served my Graham LBV Port. That’s a Fail. Port is customarily served at 3 ounces, hence, a smaller glass. Serving it in a regular wine glass makes one (me!) feel cheated.

So….here’s my verdict. Did I enjoy every dish and savor every morsel? YES. Did I feel like I should go to the restaurant next door and grab something because I’m still hungry? ALSO YES. (restaurant next door is Fig and Olive—really good restaurant. Coming up on my next review).

Let me deconstruct this feeling. As Asian, I am programmed for certain expectations on everything Asian. I remember David Chang talking at length about this topic. I never had any issue with cost of food at fancy restaurants but I whined on the cost of this meal. I just cannot wrap my Asian head around paying that much for that cuisine. My childhood memories of my family eating in Asian restaurants culminated on doggie bags that we had to eat the following day. So I am aghast that I wolfed down the $40 appetizer in less than 2 minutes.

I feel horrible for writing this because I should know better. My non-Asian husband had no issue with the whole experience whatsoever except for the port glass (he’s a wine-snob). The quality of the dishes is superb, the service is exceptional. Under normal circumstances, this would come out as a ‘highly recommended’ in my book. But because I was ruined by my expectations (that is by no means any fault of Nobu), I had to take  a break and mull things through so I could say kind words.

So if you are non- Asian or an uncorrupted Asian with money to burn, give this restaurant a try. I’m sure you will not be disappointed.