It was nearly three years ago that New Orleans learned the city would be getting a restaurant and hotel from sushi master Nobu Matsuhisa. Now his new Nobu Restaurant is set to open in matter of days.

This Nobu (8 Canal St.) is within the Caesars Casino in downtown New Orleans, and it’s part of the transformation of the property from a Harrah’s to its new brand, a process rapidly nearing completion.

The New Orleans Nobu is now taking reservations from Aug. 15 when it will be open for regular service (see, noburestaurants.com/new-orleans, and note some of those first dates are booked up at this writing).

Here’s what to know about Nobu as the opening approaches.

Who is Nobu?: Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa is among the most influential chefs in the world, and he established himself by departing from the traditions of his native Japan and blending its cuisine with other global influences, especially those of Peru.

He propelled the idea of the traditional Japanese omakase dining (a sushi chef’s menu). Many of the hallmarks of his style have become commonplace in other sushi restaurants.

The chef was unknown when he opened his namesake Matsuhisa restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1987. It became a magnet for celebrities, including Robert De Niro and film producer Meir Teper, who would become the chef’s business partners. Now their Nobu brand has some 56 restaurants around the globe, from Dubai to Dallas, and a growing number of hotels. That includes one in the new Caesars hotel tower too (more on this below).

Where the New Orleans Nobu?: Nobu restaurant is on the ground floor of Caesars, on the riverside of the building. This is where the new lobby for the Caesars hotel is situated, as well as valet parking.

What’s on the menu?: Even if you’ve never been to a Nobu location, some of its signatures may sound familiar. That’s because they became standards at sushi bars everywhere after appearing on Nobu menus. That includes the likes of miso cod, crispy rice with spicy tuna and yellowtail (a.k.a. hamachi) with jalapeno, all represented on the New Orleans menu.

Nobu’s menus are about more than seafood. A section of tempura, and many skewered and grilled meat and fish dishes, are key components.

The dessert list includes Nobu signatures, including the bento box, a combination of a Valrhona dark chocolate souffle and matcha gelato served in a traditional sushi bar bento box.

How much does it cost?: As well as being influential, Nobu restaurants are famously very expensive, and this one is no exception. Many of the signature dishes are appetizer sized and most run over $30. Individual pieces of sashimi can be $7 to $16 each. The New Orleans restaurant will serve Japanese A5 Wagyu beef by the ounce ($39 per ounce).

Open to all ages (soon): Like the new Emeril’s Brasserie on the other side of the casino, this Nobu will be open to all ages, thanks to an entrance designed to allow separate access to the restaurant from the gaming floor (a first for this casino). That entrance is not yet complete, so Nobu will be age 21 and up (like the gaming floor) for the first few weeks of service.

Chefs: While Matsuhisa is the chef, the New Orleans restaurant will be led by executive chef Abel Yacob and executive sushi chef Law Yee Wu Gwa.

From the bar: The restaurant will have a large selection of sake, contemporary cocktails and a large wine list, including high-end bottles.

Seating: Up to 172, with an 8-seat sushi bar, a restaurant bar with 10 more seats and a lounge for 40.

Dress: “Smart casual” (think a notch down from “business casual”).

Hours: Nobu will serve dinner Wednesday and Thursday, from 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5-11 p.m. and Sunday 5-10 p.m.

When does the Nobu New Orleans hotel open?: From restaurants, the Nobu brand has branched into hotels, which are often configured as boutique hotels within larger hotel properties.

That’s what is taking shape in the New Orleans Caesars now, where part of the newly-built hotel tower rising over the casino will be home to a Nobu Hotel. The hotel is on a different timeline than the restaurant. It is slated to open in mid-fall 2024.

Octavia lounge coming soon: Another new addition to Caesars is nearing completion. Just past the lobby, and Nobu, the casino’s grand new lounge Octavia is replacing the former Harrah’s Masquerade nightclub.

Octavia is conceived on a sweeping scale (13,000 square feet) and with an elegant Art Deco-inspired design. When it opens, visitors will walk through any one of eight entrances to find a soaring space with games along the perimeter, clusters of lounge seating and a large bar in the center.

Octavia lounge is set to open in late August.