Growing up in his native Japan, Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa was introduced to sushi by his older brother at a young age, turning that dinner into a lifelong obsession. Cooking in kitchens from South America to Alaska, his products meld international flavors and techniques with traditional Japanese cuisine, leading the chef to open his first restaurant in New York City with actor Robert De Niro in 1994. Just one year later, it was awarded a star by the Michelin Guide.

The San Diego location, which opened in 2007, is nestled in the perennially hip and centrally located Hard Rock Hotel, delivering equally on food, impeccable service, and ambiance that is sophisticated yet lively. Since then, it's remained a hot spot known for both its intricate sushi and takes on simple Japanese food, including Nobu's famed black cod in miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño. Read on to learn more about the restaurant:

Sample Menu

• Cold dish: octopus carpaccio with jalapeño dressing
• Hot dish: Prime new york strip steak
• Sushi roll: yellowfin and bluefin toro with scallions
• Dessert: bento box with Valrhona dark chocolate, sesame crisp, and green-tea white-chocolate gelato
• Drink: 10-year-old Hokusetsu sake, which is aged to the sound of classical music

Praise

• "For winning subtlety with shellfish, try the king crab tempura with amazu ponzu sauce. It may be that amazu should be pronounced 'amaze-you,' which is what these pretty, costly morsels of buttery crab will do." – San Diego Magazine
• "The yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and the octopus sashimi make my brains fall out of my raw head." – Bread & Cie Café owner Charles Kaufman in the San Diego Union-Tribune on why Nobu is the best raw bar
• "Warm colors and deep wood tones invite the eye, as flavors tantalize even the most discerning palate." – InTomorrow travel directory