Great TR
John Rain, really enjoying it.
I was out visiting a friend in LA earlier this summer, and managed to get a table at Nobu Malibu (think I called them maybe 2 months out though?). We ended up in the same table as you by the looks of it, and indeed also had the tasting menu, which I really enjoyed. I was prepared to be disappointed given all the hype but it was a great and very memorable experience.
We stayed in Silverlake with the hipsters

, but that's the joy of LA, the variety of neighbourhoods it contains (not all of which will be for everyone, by definition).