Noble Rice

Went for lunch yestersay (Sunday) expecting to order some sushi. We were disappointed at first to learn that it was only a new brunch menu that didn't offer sushi or ramen. I decided to try the chicken and grits (at an Asian fusion place, really?). My God. It was easily the best chicken and grits I've ever had. It was like a damn Olympic opening ceremony of delicious flavors in my mouth in a combination I've never had before. Perfectly cooked grits, perfectly crispy fried chicken, and this gravy sauce I'd probably eat off the floor if I ran out on my plate. What started as a bit of a bummer quickly turned into an amazing meal. My wife got a chicken sandwich with some kind of hot pepper jam that was incredible too- my understanding is the chicken sandwich is on their usual lunch menu too. Go here. Order these things. Amazing.

This is one of the best all around dining experiences I have had in some time. It’s rare that the food, service, and decor all combine to such excellence. The moment we walked in we were greeted by a few staff members with sincere warmth. Our server Christian was professional, helpful and had such a positive energy it was infectious. Our food was stellar - everything we ate was flavorful and delicious. Our water glasses were always full and the service hit the perfect balance of being attentive but not fussy or intrusive. Highly highly recommend. Keep up the good work team Noble Rice!

Wow. Great fusion Japanese restaurant in Channelside. Every dish was unique and flavorful in each bite. From the sushi to the dessert, I can’t say I’ve had anything similar anywhere else before. Their tiny chocolate dessert takes your mouth on a rollercoaster with all the flavor and textures that develop as you eat it. Mock-tails were delightful as well. Cant wait to come back and try even more!

Constantly searching for high quality Japanese cuisine, we finally decided to visit Noble Rice. As we waltzed down Channelside, the entrance to Noble Rice snuck up on us. We always appreciate restaurants that lack “over-the-top” signage. As we entered, we were greeted by the absolute star of the show, Christian. He was a phenomenal host, We were fortunate enough to receive booth seating, which was much more intimate than the other tables in the restaurant. Our waiter did not leave a great impression on us. As he guided us through the menu, he always pointed out the most “bang for your buck” dishes, which immediately diminished the class of this establishment. For their drink options, we were deeply let down that they did not have plum wine, or sparkling sake, so we started off with the hojicha. Their green tea was lovely, and clearly authentic. Deep, earthy, and without fault. The first dish we received was the Akami Nigiri, and it was our least favorite dish. The akami was extremely fresh. However, the bed of crispy sweet potato was awful. It was not crispy, it just got stuck in our teeth. We then received the Beef Tartare. We would unquestionably order it again. A divine balance of sweet and savory. Creamy beef and sweet kimchi paired with lovely notes of maple, cut with the beautiful crispiness of a fresh wonton. After finally making a decision on a couple of cocktails from the bar, we ordered the Sakura martini. It was dangerously balanced and heavenly. The dish that followed was our A5 Wagyu Tasting. Served in a very traditional nigiri style, this Japanese BMS 12 Wagyu was clearly of high grade. Make sure to order freshly ground wasabi to truly enjoy the wagyu. We ordered the wasabi and sadly watched it die in the window for over fifteen minutes. The wagyu was very high quality, and of course, the iconic “melt in your mouth” nature of true wagyu. Alongside this plate, we also received our two maguro nigiri flights, as well as our shima aji and kanpachi nigiri. We would recommend the tuna flight to anyone experiencing Noble Rice for the first time. It solidly exemplifies the difference that fat content makes in the flavor and texture of a fish. From left to right, leanest to fattiest, you receive akami, toro, chutoro, and otoro. The otoro was by far the best bite. With the chutoro cut, you still get the flavors of the fish, paired with beautiful fattiness. The kanpachi and shima aji nigiri were high quality and fresh. As simple as that. Make sure you order extra ginger to cleanse your palate. After our nigiri plates, we received the Kano Crostini. This was another one of our “must-haves.” Noble Rice yet again hit that stunning harmony of savory and sweet. The duck and onion jam were a pristine pair. Along came the Hokkaido Uni and Avocado Yakitori. This adorable plate of flavor was a very intriguing dish. Fatty ingredients do not typically coincide well with fellow fatty ingredients, but did so, all due to the grilling factor. The light char tied this dish together. The Crispy Pork Belly, which was the next dish we received, was a plate that we for sure could have done without. The flavors were not exciting at all. We just had to try the uni on its own. It was good quality, and unquestionably came from the cold waters of Hokkaido. However, you could taste that the uni was box transported, and not freshly cracked. The stronger flavor of boxed uni can be off-putting for some people. We finalized our meal with possibly the best dessert we have had in a long time, and paired it with a tawny port, the Soy Milk Panna Cotta. We would go to Noble Rice solely for this dessert alone. Perfectly executed. Without flaw. The gracefulness and light-nature of the panna cotta fused with the rugged burnt honey, and the nutty black sesame in such an astonishing manner. With only a few faults, we will visit Noble Rice again. With spending over $500 (not including tip) for two people, we would expect everything to be perfect, thus why we must retract a star. Now we know what to order for our next visit. (More detailed review on Yelp!)

This is an amazing place to enjoy some incredibly good sushi. From top notch service, to excellent customer service, this place is to die for. Next time you’re in TAMPA, do yourself a favor and come eat here!!

One of the best dining experiences I’ve had. Byron was amazing and every suggestion was on point. Was a night for the books. Thank you again!