Nomad

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mmwilson21

Joined 6 years ago

Different, Great, Comfortable. My friend and I went to Nomad for her 21st birthday and I thought we made a really good choice. Everyone was smiling, the staff was happy so we were happy, the owner was there working with his staff and was a very nice down to earth guy. The food was great and is something that you don't eat too often, making you wanting to tell people about it. Not too expensive for a good dinner, in fact the bill came up lower than i thought i would've been. The atmosphere alone is a winner for the place, makes you feel like you're really in North Africa.

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weho013180

Joined 7 years ago

Great food, great service. My husband took me to Nomad for my birthday a couple of weeks ago and it was absolutely perfect. We started with the grilled octopus and Moroccan crab cakes. Both were delicious, particularly the octopus, which was tender yet firm and not chewy at all.

For dinner, I had the chicken tajine while my husband tried the couscous royale. Both were very good and flavorful, although next time I will probably try something a little more adventurous. Our waitress, whose name I've regrettably forgotten, was very knowledgeable about wine and was able to help us pair our food with some lovely little wines.

I won't ruin the surprise regarding what happens if you tell them it's your birthday, but let's just say it's quite novel and fun.

All in all, Nomad is a romantic place with interesting food and a welcoming, funky vibe. I do think the owners could be a bit more daring with their choices of decor and music, but that's probably just a personal preference on my part and doesn't detract from the experience whatsoever.

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Hamidkherief

Joined 11 years ago

A little bit of Paris, Casablanca,and Algiers in East Village. Two friends and I ventured out on a frigid February night , looking for some warmth. And warmth we found aplenty in this cozy restaurant of the East village. We settled for a night of sharing, my friends selecting from the menu, while I opted for items recommended by a courteous and attentive waiter. The Algiers salad with the pomegrenate dresssing and the tunisian briwetts were succulent, yet no match for the Harira, a Moroccan soup to which I added a generous spoonful of spicy harissa to help me face the below freezing temperatures outside. A friend went for the pastilla, a flaky chicken-filled pastry, the other for a vegetarian couscous, while I chose the grilled bronzini that was a special that night. We decided to add a "French touch" to this North African tour by selecting a cotes du Rhone recommended by the owner himself (who said red wine could not accompany fish?) We were so sated that we forewent the dessert and settled for the aromatic mint tea. I imagine the homebaked bread that the waiter kept on bringing had something to do with it. I do not know about the quality of service on the week-end, so I would highly recommend "Nomad" on a weekday.

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juicewheez

Joined 7 years ago

Excellent Food/First Rate Service. Went on a quiet evening and fairly early, so they were pretty empty at the time. Our waiter, who I believe was the owner, spent so much time with us going over the menu. My dining companion has certain food allergies and he worked with us to order the perfect dishes for her diet. He spoke at length about the wines he purchases - small vineyards, very difficult to come by in the US and gave us large samples of pretty much every wine he had to offer. I think in the end we had the equivalent of two full glasses of free wine. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience - the food, wine and atmosphere. It was the kind of experience that makes you want to spend as much money as possible in their establishment.

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mutno

Joined 7 years ago

Authentic food & Great Service & Zero Attitude. This place is amazing--I can't wait to go back! Everyone in my party agreed that the food was very delicious and we ordered quite a variety from the appetizers & entrees. I don't think you can go wrong by coming here. The staff & management very friendly and attentive.

Insider's tip: Say it's your birthday and see what happens..

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kimoloui

Joined 7 years ago

Pleasant evening and good food. If you want to relax and enjoy a great meal, this is a wonderful place to do it. Service was gracious, friendly, and didn't rush us. Food is refreshingly well-prepared(especially octopus appetizer) and prices very fair. My only suggestion is that the food and the music could be a bit bolder with the North African flavors and flair. (Didn't know they had harissa until some Moroccans came in and ordered it!) Outside garden is also really pleasant.

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kip80

Joined 7 years ago

very nice, healthy North African. Went with friends after hearing raves about the tajines- which did not disappoint at all! The room is nicely decorated without being too kitschy and overwhelming while the service is breezy and unobtrusive. Had the sausages, which were surprisingly soft and chewy and then the tajine royale which comes with a generous heap of vegetables. Whether its true or not, had the feeling of eating a healthier version of the typical tangine and both the meat and the veggies were fresh and filling. The prices are decent for the neighborhood and low considering the amount of food. Didn't have any, but the wine list also features a few Middle Eastern bottles. Had gallons of Algerian and Lebanese wine while living in Paris, so will definitely try one next time. Only complaint: the sign outside said the garden was open yet we were told it wasn't.

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sortmon

Joined 8 years ago

really positive first experience with north african food. four friends and i came here on friday night. we had a 9pm reservation, though we probably didnt need it since the restaurant wasnt packed. the place is dimly-lit i had trouble reading the menus, even though the overall ambience is quite romantic. the staff were very nice. one of them came over to specially recommend a bottle of white wine ($25) to go with our meal.

my bf & i decided to split the brik ($8) since we had read good reviews about it. we werent disappointed by the layers of hot flakey phyllo dough that surrounded the saucy center of fish, chicken, and vegetables. it was a very good start to our meal.

for entrees, we opted to split the olive & chicken tajine ($16) and the couscous royal ($16). the tajine was very flavourful, though verging on too salty. the meat was slowly simmered fell right off the bone. it came with a generous helping of slow-cooked carrots and green olives. the couscous came piled with lamb sausage & vegetables. it also came with a side of what i thought was a broth-like tomato based-sauce with hunks of lamb & stewed chicken. it was really good and really filling.

though stuffed, we found room to split two of their desserts the rosewater creme brulee and some almond nougat frozen dessert. the first was very sweet, but it had a satisfying crispy sugar shell. the second dessert seemed to me like snickers semifreddo but without the chocolate swirls of caramel in nougat flavoured ice cream. both desserts were really good. we washed our desserts with mint tea which i didnt like it was sweet and tasted like mouthwash.

overall, my first foray into north african cuisine was a success. ill definitely be back for more.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Warm and friendly North African restaurant brings exotic flavors and gracious hospitality to the East Village.. In Short
Slip behind the decorative facade to find a crowded, boisterous setting. The cuisine merges traditional fare from Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, which is reflected in the murals, ironwork and wood carvings throughout the space. The maze of mezzes and mains range from brik--a glammed-up hot pocket filled with tuna, potato and chickpeas--tagines, and Couscous Royale, steamed over the amalgamation of meats, veggies and merguez (sausage) handmade by an Algerian butcher.

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burgerbaron

Joined 7 years ago

Decent Food. Nice Room, but Disconcertingly Dark. Went to Nomad last night with a friend, based partly on the reviews here, and mostly because I live nearby and it looks like a nice place.

I thought it was a little odd that we weren't offered a seat in the garden area, since I overheard the staff say about a hundred times that it had just been opened; but the back room, where we were, is perfectly nice, if a bit dark (as in, REALLY dark).

My friend got the chicken and olive tagine, and I ordered the couscous royale. Both were really good, tons of food, but my couscous was a touch bland. A bottle of Cote du Rhone was $25. Service is pleasant but a little scattered.

Overall, a nice addition to the neighborhood. It seems like they may still be finding their groove, I'll definitely go back in a month or so and try again.