HONOLULU, May 3, 2007 - Nobu Waikiki, the most anticipated
dining experience in Hawaii, is set to open its doors at the Waikiki Parc
Hotel on May 28, 2007. A testament to a dynamic collaboration between the
management of Nobu Restaurants and Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani,
Nobu Waikiki will offer innovative Japanese cuisine featuring a priceless
'ingredient' acclaimed Chef Nobu Matsuhisa refers to as "Kokoro," or heart.
Located in the lobby of the Waikiki Parc hotel, sister property of world-renowned
Halekulani, Nobu Waikiki represents a unique confluence of stunning interior
design by the Rockwell Group and culinary creative genius for which Nobu
Matsuhisa has come to be known.
David Rockwell and Rockwell Group's design represents a fusion of indigenous
Hawaiian tactile elements with a progressive Japanese aesthetic, resulting
in a sophisticated yet casual ambiance that will set the standard for "Waikiki
Chic." The 7,500 square foot restaurant features a dramatic bar and lounge,
a sushi bar, private dining room and a main dining space that collectively
can accommodate approximately 250 guests. Accentuated by illuminated Italian
onyx paneling, soaring artisan wall hangings and walnut finishings, Nobu
Waikiki embodies a sense of grandeur yet provides a feeling of warmth and
intimacy. The restaurant is poised to dramatically redefine, and set a
new standard for, the dining, cocktail and nightlife experience in Honolulu.
"In less than a year, the radius of Waikiki's Lewers and Kalia Streets
has become the entertaining and dining mecca of the Pacific," said Peter
Shaindlin, Chief Operating Officer for Halekulani Corporation. "Collaborating
with Nobu and David Rockwell has been an exhilarating experience as well
as a great privilege for our corporation, and we are honored to welcome
such an esteemed establishment to the Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani
portfolio. With the debut of Nobu Waikiki at the Waikiki Parc Hotel, combined
with Halekulani's legendary La Mer, Hawaii's only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant,
and Waikiki Beachwalk's exceptional dining offerings, Waikiki is now poised
to become a global culinary destination."
"I am honored and very excited to see Hawaii's flagship Nobu restaurant,
Nobu Waikiki, in full bloom. The partnership with the Halekulani and the
Waikiki Parc Hotel has been a thrilling and synergetic process. I hope
that this restaurant will become home to the residents and guests of Hawaii,
for I feel that through Nobu Waikiki I too have 'come home'," said Chef
Matsuhisa. "I am ready to cook with 'Kokoro,' to delight and gratify my
guests, making sure they leave wanting more!"
In developing the distinctive menu for Nobu Waikiki, Chef Matsuhisa
has drawn on the "heart" of Hawaiian culture, highlighting indigenous local
ingredients and delicacies that celebrate the bounty of the sea. Nobu Waikiki
will open to the public on Monday, May 28, 2007. Nobu's traditional private
sake ceremony as well as a special Hawaiian blessing and other gala events
will take place during the course of the summer.
Nobu Matsuhisa
Chef Owner
 Nobuyuki
Matsuhisa � known to the world simply as �Nobu� � is the acclaimed and
highly influential chef proprietor of Nobu, Matsuhisa and Ubon restaurants
all over the globe, from Beverly Hills to New York City, London to Tokyo,
Aspen to Milan, Las Vegas to Miami Beach.
Nobu was born in Saitama, Japan, the son of a lumber merchant who died
in a traffic accident when the future chef was just seven years old. He
traces the beginnings of his professional ambition to the day his older
brother took him to a sushi restaurant for the first time. Young Nobu found
himself fascinated by everything about the environment. He knew then he
was destined for a career in the kitchen.
After graduating from high school, Nobu found a live-in job at a sushi
restaurant in Tokyo called Matsuei. When he was 24 years old, Nobu accepted
an offer from one of his customers that took him to Lima, Peru to open
a restaurant. The impact of his time in Peru cannot be overstated. Nobu
began weaving Peruvian influences into his dishes � the beginnings of his
signature style. After three years, irreconcilable differences over food
cost led Nobu to part with his associates.
After a brief stint in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nobu returned to Japan.
Upon returning to Japan, he had an opportunity to open a restaurant in
Alaska, which he took. Unfortunately the restaurant burned to the ground
during one of his rare nights away from the restaurant.
Broken but not beaten, and with debts to pay on his ruined Alaska enterprise,
Nobu went to Los Angeles on the advice of a friend. He took a job at a
sushi bar, working and using his income to make good on his commitments.
No less than nine years later, after earning his way back to solvency,
he opened his own restaurant Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills in 1987.
Matsuhisa was an instant success and became a magnet for food lovers
and celebrities alike. It was here that his longtime friendship and business
relationship with Robert De Niro began. It was at De Niro�s urging that
they opened Nobu in New York City in 1994 with restaurateur Drew Nieporent.
Like Matsuhisa, Nobu was a hit.
Notable citations bestowed upon Nobu�s restaurants start with Matsuhisa
chosen as one of the Top Ten Restaurant Destinations in the world by the
New York Times (1993). Nobu was awarded Best New Restaurant by the James
Beard Foundation (1995) and Three Stars by Ruth Reichl of the New York
Times (1995). Nobu Next Door was awarded Three Stars by Ruth Reichl of
the New York Times (1998). Nobu London was awarded One Michelin Star (1997).
Nobu Fifty Seven was awarded Three Stars by Frank Bruni of the New York
Times (2005).
Some of Nobu�s personal honors from the culinary community are America�s
10 Best New Chefs by Food and Wine Magazine (1989), Southern California's
Rising Stars by Los Angeles Times Magazine (1998), induction into Who's
Who of Food and Beverage in America by the James Beard Foundation (2002),
and nomination for Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation (1997,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006).
Nobu currently has 17 restaurants in 13 different cities around the
world, with new openings in Waikiki, Melbourne, Los Angeles, and San Diego
planned for 2007. Nobu is the author of four cookbooks: Nobu the cookbook
(2001), Nobu Now (2005), Japanese Finger Food � nobu style (2006) (in Japanese
only), and Nobu West (2006).
Nobu has appeared in several movies: �Casino� (1995), �Austin Power
in Goldmember� (2002), and �Memoirs of a Geisha� (2005). He has participated
in advertising campaigns for the Gap, Calloway Golf Clubs, Illy, Fiji Water,
Lincoln Automobiles, and Rado. He has been a guest on such shows as �The
Tonight Show�, �The Today Show� and �Martha.� Nobu donates his time to
numerous culinary and charitable events each year.
Nobu resides in Beverly Hills with his wife while his two grown daughters
now live in Tokyo. He travels the globe, visiting all of his restaurants
and scouting new locations to conquer. |
Nobu Waikiki will serve dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the
Bar Lounge will be open from 5:00 p.m. - Midnight. In addition, Waikiki
Parc Hotel guests will soon enjoy exclusive in-room and poolside delicacies
from the sushi bar and kitchen of Nobu Waikiki. Valet service is available
at Waikiki Parc Hotel's Helumoa Porte-cochere. Reservations strongly recommended
and available at (808) 237-6999.
About Nobu
Nobu, the world's most recognized Japanese restaurant known for its
innovative new style Japanese cuisine, started as a business partnership
in 1994 between chef Nobu Matsuhisa and his partners actor Robert De Niro,
producer Meir Teper, and managing partner Richie Notar. With the original
restaurant in New York, the Nobu brand is now an empire that spans across
the globe, from London to Tokyo, Las Vegas to Malibu, Milan to Miami Beach,
Dallas to Paradise Island, The Bahamas. The newest location in Hong Kong
is followed by upcoming openings in Waikiki, Melbourne, Los Angeles, and
San Diego. Nobu restaurants, all a visual and culinary delight, continue
to win unprecedented praise and rave reviews from such publications as
the New York Times, the Zagat Surveys, and the Michelin Guide. The restaurants'
perennial popularity and devoted following are a tribute to Nobu putting
his own spin on traditional Japanese cooking. For additional information,
visit http://www.noburestaurants.com.
 About
Waikiki Parc Hotel
Waikiki Parc Hotel, the embodiment of "Waikiki Chic" and nexus of the
Waikiki revitalization, brings together a sophisticated contemporary sensibility
and ultra-refined service. The stylish Waikiki Parc Hotel offers breathtaking
views of Honolulu and ocean horizons. The Waikiki Parc Hotel is managed
by the Hotels and Resorts of Halekulani, a division of the Honolulu- based
Halekulani Corporation, which also manages the world-renowned Halekulani.
For reservations and information, please contact your travel professional
or the hotel at 808-921-7272 or visit http://www.waikikiparc.com
About Hotels and Resorts of Halekulani
Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani, HRH, represents a luxury hospitality
legacy of unique and iconic properties, including Halekulani or "House
Befitting Heaven" and the Waikiki Parc Hotel, both on the beach in Waikiki.
The HRH philosophy embodies a lifestyle hospitality experience like no
other, surprising and delighting guests with its indigenous cultural sensibilities
and unparalleled personalized service. Halekulani has welcomed discerning
travelers to Waikiki Beach since 1917 and, since its redevelopment in 1983,
Halekulani has been consistently ranked and acclaimed as one of the world's
finest hotels (http://www.Halekulani.com). Waikiki Parc Hotel, situated
adjacent to Halekulani, was developed by the Halekulani Corporation in
1987 and offers affordable luxury in an intimate contemporary setting.
The Waikiki Parc has established a well deserved reputation, as well as
state-wide acclaim, for its gracious service. In additional to the management
of its two iconic hotels in Waikiki, the Hotel & Resorts of Halekulani
is committed to expanding its brand offerings by
developing unique properties in select locales, both in the Hawaii
and throughout the world. For additional information, please visit
http://www.halekulanicorporation.com.
About The Rockwell Group
Rockwell Group, an award winning, cross-disciplinary 180-person architecture
and design practice was founded by David Rockwell. Based in New York City,
Rockwell Group specializes in hospitality, cultural, theater and film design.
Recent commissions include the Jet Blue Terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport;
the Elinor Bunin Film Center at Lincoln Center; Town restaurant and Chambers
hotel (New York City); W New York and W Union Square (New York City); the
Academy Awards' Kodak Theatre (Los Angeles); the Broadway musicals "Hairspray,"
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and "Phantom of the Opera" (Las Vegas); and,
numerous restaurants located internationally including New York restaurants
Nobu Fifty Seven, Country, Bar Americain, Cafe Gray, Nobu in Dallas, Bahamas,
Dubai and Hong Kong, Roppongi Hills in Tokyo and Maze in London to mention
a few.
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