Noble Rice Tampa

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.

I had heard good things, so we drove to Tampa from St. Pete to check it out. I also heard it was a small space, and to get there early to avoid a wait. We showed up right after they opened (around 5) and were the first ones there. What an incredible menu! Sushi, small plates, ramen, steamed buns, skewered dishes, and more. Every dish is thoughtfully composed and beautifully presented. Our server was informative, friendly, and attentive. We shared a big bowl of tempura shishito peppers, which is now our favorite way to eat shishito peppers. Those peppers were huge and the tempura batter was so light. A great deal for $8. My main squeeze spotted OToro (Fattiest Tuna) on the menu and had to get it, as well as mackerel sashimi. The OToro is a very rare menu item, so it was quite a splurge ($25). Fresh, raw seafood is expensive. The mackerel was only $12. He also had the Wild Spanish Octopus nigiri with golden raisin & olive pistou, fresno chili, and preserved yuzu kosho. He was blown away by the flavors - sweet, salty, spicy, and sour. Worth every penny of the $12. While he enjoyed his sushi and sashimi, I explored the other side of the menu. I was thrilled to find Veggie Steam Buns filled with avocado, charred maitake, fried pickled onion, and maple soy yogurt butter. It was just as tasty as I hoped it would be. $10 for two buns seemed reasonable to me. I also had to try the vegetarian preparation of the Cider Brussels Sprouts with butternut squash, misoyaki, and cashews. It normally comes with Tan Tan Cured Pork Belly, but they also offer a vegetarian version. Being a brussels sprouts lover, I thoroughly enjoyed this. $12 for this dish. I had hit my wall, but my fella wanted more. He ordered a Tengo specialty roll (crab, scallop, and scallion topped with shrimp) and devoured it. $15 for the roll. The final nail in his food coffin was the Noble Fried Chicken (NFC) Buns filled with spicy fried chicken, country gravy, redeye curried gravy, and micro greens. He loved it and declared it the best steamed bun he's had. Two buns for $10. The total came to $118, which isn't cheap, but we came prepared to splurge and felt the quality was worth it.