Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Pure Perfection: The NoMad

We had our best meal during this New York City weekend at The NoMad, the "casually elegant" restaurant of Chef Daniel Humm and Restauranteur Will Guidara, whom I met last November and who run the Michelin three-starred Eleven Madison Park, where we celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary two years ago.
nyc nomad 005edit
nyc nomad 047edit
nyc nomad 049edit
Was there any question that this would be a wonderful dining experience?  Of course not.  The NoMad met our very high expectations and then some.  We were extremely impressed by the food, service, and welcoming but sophisticated setting.

Complimentary focaccia.
nyc nomad 010edit
This hot delicious bread was otherworldly.  And it was free.  And limitless.  You could come here and drink and just eat this focaccia and die happy.  Seriously.

Orange Julius -- orange juice, cream, orange blossom water.
Basil Fennel Soda -- basil, fennel, lemon, sparkling mineral water.
Gingered Ale -- ginger, lime, demerara sugar, sparkling mineral water.
La Piña -- pineapple, jalapeño-infused agave, lime.
nyc nomad 015editnyc nomad 013edit
nyc nomad 029editnyc nomad 027edit
The drinks at The NoMad are incredible, and we didn't even get "real" drinks.  These "soft cocktails" ($8 each) blew us away.  The flavors were so bold.  I can't even imagine how fabulous true cocktails would be.

Hamachi -- crudo with English peas, olio verde, and horseradish ($16).
nyc nomad 020edit
Refreshing and light and delicate yet impeccably pungent.

Tagliatelle -- King crab, Meyer lemon, and black pepper ($19).
nyc nomad 025edit
Generous portions of crab surrounded by exquisite lemony pasta.  Love.

Duck -- roasted with apples, dandelion, and Vadouvan ($32).
nyc nomad 030edit
This was the best duck breast we'd ever had in our lives to date.  Not sure I need to say anything more.

Lobster -- minestrone with fava beans, lemon verbena, and garganelli ($36).
nyc nomad 035edit
Heavenly.  We savored every last drop.  Sopped the bowl completely dry with focaccia.  Truth.

I spotted this extraordinary cart from across the room.
nyc nomad 037edit
Tiers of sweet delights awaited us.

Giant raspberry custard macaron ($9).
nyc nomad 045edit
nyc nomad 046edit
Fresh fruit and creamy custard wedged between fragile, fragrant, airy cookies?  Win.

Kouign-amann ($9).
nyc nomad 039edit
Wow.  WOW.  WOW.  Imagine layers and layers of the most ambrosial, buttery, sugary, puff-pastry-like sheets baked with a caramelized top.  Are you drooling?  You should be.  I am.  I'd never had anything like this before.  I am a happier person now.

This card says it all.
nyc nomad 053edit
Yes, let's.  Let's experience pure perfection again.

12 comments:

  1. Yowsas!!! Love the look of that lobster! And those noodles...

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks ridic! I love orange juliuses - is it julii? whatever. and the pasta is glowing. best duck breast, lemme at it. i'm going. one day. soon. the cart is mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was ridiculously grand.

      I, too, love Orange Julii.

      Delete
  3. OMG, that king crab-meyer lemon pasta. i want it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This meal looks so impressive, even more so than usual, which is kind of saying a lot. My favorite looking dish is the lobster minestrone. Holey cow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was absolutely superb.

      And Mr. Monkey wore shorts. LOL.

      Delete
  5. i want to try a fancy orange julius!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the photo of the focaccia. It’s just bread, but it looks fantastic!

    I’m also dying over the dessert pics, especially that custard macaron.

    Ugh, and that lobster? I die.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...