Nobu is here — not just the restaurant but also his first hotel in Asia

Last Monday, Jan. 27, I had the privilege of trying Nobu — in the Philippines. Tonkatsu sandwiches, yellowtail jalapeño, black cod on butter lettuce, yakitori and anticucho skewers, assorted sushi, and “Bagels and Lox” — a breakfast dish served at the Nobu Hotel in Las Vegas — crispy rice cake topped with tofu cream, cured salmon sashimi, ponzu capers and slices of red onion, a one-bite American-Japanese kind of wow, were prepared by Nobu chefs Zac Hillberry from Las Vegas, and Shuichi Yamaguchi and Hideki Endo from Hong Kong, at the National Museum in Manila in honor of a very ceremonious occasion.

It was the official announcement of the opening of the very first Nobu Hotel in Asia — right at our doorstep — at the City of Dreams Manila. This is Melco Crown Entertainment’s new integrated casino resort, in partnership with Belle Corporation, currently under development at Entertainment City, Manila, set to open in the third quarter of this year.

The 321-room Nobu Hotel, inspired by Japanese culinary genius, chef Nobu Matsuhisa, championed by Academy award-winning actor Robert De Niro and Hollywood producer Meir Teper, will offer a “celebrity-inspired ‘fun-luxury’ experience,” with laidback luxury, high-energy nightlife and exclusive guest room retreats and spa services.

The Nobu Hospitality partners Matsuhisa, De Niro, Teper and chief executive Trevor Horwell, as well as Melco Crown Entertainment co-chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho, and co-chairman James Packer, flew to Manila to personally talk about it to a select audience. It was a star-studded international powerhouse cast all under one roof.

So the question on everyone’s minds was, why the Philippines? “I think the fit was right from Nobu’s side, coming to Manila because of the destination, City of Dreams. We felt the partners were right,” explained Horwell. “We knew the partners and their vision for the City of Dreams was very important. Naturally we believe the staff within the Philippines would be perfect to deliver what is truly Nobu service.” He added that the general manager of Nobu Las Vegas is Filipino.

“Manila ticks all the boxes for all the exciting potential that we see in developing an integrated resort and tourism,” shared Ho. “Nobu as a brand and hospitality giant is indisputable. As our promise to the Filipino people, we want to bring something exciting and totally unique and new. We’re very proud to be the first resort to have the Nobu brand in Asia.”

What foodies are most excited about is, of course, the hotel’s Nobu restaurant, which will showcase chef Nobu’s fusion artistry at an outdoor cabana-styled dining terrace situated on a platform deck overlooking Manila Bay. The Nobu Hotel will offer, exclusively to its guests, a special in-room menu carefully crafted by chef Nobu.

Ho recalled his first experience at Nobu in London 20 years ago, adding that not many restaurants have lasted this long. Added De Niro, “If people go because of me or other celebrities, then they will go once or twice out of curiosity. But Nobu has stood the test of time.”

Chef Nobu’s goal — or reason for cooking — is simple: “I like people smiling, happy and eating. That means they’re comfortable and they will come back.” While most of us customers like to append to our dining experiences visually, looking out to gorgeous scenic views, it’s the reverse for chef Nobu. “The best view for me, is inside the restaurant, not outside. For me, it is the people smiling, eating.”

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