Nobu Grand Opening: Jackie Chan Celebrates, No De Niro

Nobu Beijing celebrated its grand opening yesterday, April 7, with an early evening party that doubled as celebrity guest Jackie Chan’s 57th birthday party. With at least 300 guests attending, the restaurant's opening was extravagant, classy and, as it turned out, extremely charitable.

Located at the back entrance of the JW Marriott, Nobu is the high-end, and highly-anticipated, Beijing branch of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's acclaimed set of Japanese-South American fusion restaurants. For the evening, the restaurant's terrace was set for flowing Perrier-Jouet champagne, kimono-clad models styled in geisha and kabuki costumes, with a few sports cars lined up outside to add an extra touch of glamor.

Rumored guest and Nobu investor Robert De Niro was nowhere to be seen at the party, despite his appearance being previously hyped by promoters (OK, we took the bait). However, who needs De Niro when you've got Jackie Chan? Chan showed up to help Chef Matsuhisa cut the ceremonial ribbon, and celebrated his 57th birthday as the crowd serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" while a cake was brought out.

During the event, Chan, in association with the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, also pledged a donation of RMB 1 million towards aid efforts for victims of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami.

As Chan bowed out, no doubt off to a private room to get a proper birthday celebration going, the DJ starting spinning pop tunes, with Japanese sake being ladled into traditional masu cups, as chefs served plates of sushi to hungry guests.

Not the wildest party ever, but a star-powered event that sets the ball officially rolling on Nobu Beijing. Next up - can they challenge Maison Boulud for the title of Beijing's best restaurant? For our review on Nobu, click here.