This Iconic Tribeca Restaurant Was A Favorite Of JFK Jr. And Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy - Tasting Table

"Before it became the international sensation it is today, Nobu was the result of Robert De Niro partnering with master sushi chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa. The Tribeca restaurant opened in 1994 and delighted customers with signature Peruvian-Japanese dishes that were devised over a lengthy period of time."

"De Niro first tasted Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's sushi creations at Matsuhisa in Los Angeles. It was a dish of black cod prepared with miso that left a lasting impression on the actor, who later proposed the idea of opening a branch on the East Coast."

"Since Nobu opened, it has not only ushered in a new approach to Japanese cuisine but has also served as a kind of cultural marker for those who embrace sushi with unique flavors. Beautiful plating and a buzzy atmosphere have provided the perfect recipe for high-rolling New Yorkers and celebrities to wine and dine."

Nobu opened in Tribeca in 1994 as a collaboration between actor Robert De Niro and master sushi chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. The restaurant emerged from De Niro's experience tasting Matsuhisa's black cod with miso at his Los Angeles establishment, inspiring him to propose an East Coast location. Though Matsuhisa initially hesitated about the then-underdeveloped Tribeca neighborhood, De Niro's persistence led to the restaurant's opening. Nobu quickly became a celebrity destination, with JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy frequently visiting. The restaurant revolutionized Japanese cuisine through innovative Peruvian-Japanese fusion dishes, elegant plating, and an energetic atmosphere that attracted high-profile New Yorkers and entertainment industry figures.

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