Tag Archives: the nomad bar

NYC – 10/17/15 – Sadelle’s, NYCWFF with Virgilio Martinez and Matthew Lightner, and Nomad Bar

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Sadelle’s
Another visit and I wish that I could say that the service improved but sadly such was not the case.  Although I did have it much better than the people seated on either side of me who were missing dishes and had to ask repeatedly if they were coming or forgotten.  And not much of a spoiler that on my most recent visit this weekend it is still not good.  As I’ve never had any service issues at any of the other Major Food Group spots, it does baffle me a bit what is going on here.  Growing too quickly perhaps?  But nevertheless I will continue to return because I love the food.  The salads are what I want to eat everyday for lunch if I could.

Beverly – turkey, cheddar, beet, bacon, tomato
Pickles


NYCWFF – Virgilio Martinez and Matthew Lightner
Most of me just wants to say that this was a complete sh*t show, the end.  I was really looking forward to this dinner to have Matthew Lightner back in town and to finally have Virgilio Martinez’s food and maybe decide if I would ever make the trek to his restaurant in Peru.  The NYC Wine and Food Festival (NYCWFF) has been in existence long enough that there is really no excuse for such poor organization and service, especially at one of the priciest events of the weekend.  Of the hors d’oeuvres, we somehow only received 2 and after inquiring several times as the dinner proceeded were told that the kitchen had run out.  When the number of guests are known and the room fairly small, I still don’t understand how this was possible especially as these were not passed hors d’oeuvres.  Our table was ignored by the servers and when we questioned this and complained, the response and lack of even an apology from the organizers was disappointing at best. When paying a lot for a dinner, having to do battle to just get the food on the menu is absurd. I’ve had a good run of events at the NYCWFF but I think this is the end of the road for me.

Tart of Sprouted Grain with garden salsa and smoked clams
Rock of the Sea Razor Clams with avocado cream
Pseudocereals with Andean grains and citrus
  

Marine Soil Scallops with aji amarillo tiger’s milk and seaweed

Porridge of Heirloom Rice and Smoked Fish with mushrooms and sourdough
 BBQ Lamb with petals of beets and rose, aromatic red sauce
 Cacao and Chaco Clay, chocolate ganache, chaco clay and dragon fruit

Nomad Bar
And when dinner is underwhelming and you are still hungry where else to end up by Nomad Bar for my favorite cocktail, Satan’s Circus, plus a hot dog.  I’m not sure how I got by before this place was open.


  

NYC – 3/14/15 – ABC Kitchen, the Nomad Bar, Estela, Ten Bells

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ABC Kitchen

I must keep reminding myself to get back to some of my old favorites.  This is one of my favorite dining rooms in NYC especially mid day.  The food is always bright and just feels healthy.  Well at least until the carrot cake but it was fantastic.  Shaved raw fluke, crushed olives, dill, lemon and chilies  Mushroom toast, pecorino, lemon and herbs  Cured meats and local cheeses Roast carrot and avocado salad, crunchy seeds, sour cream and citrus Kale salad with lemon, Serrano chilies and mint Brown butter carrot cake with cream cheese frosting  The Nomad Bar

When I recently found myself here twice within 24 hours I started to wonder if I had a bit of a problem.  But at some point you have to play favorites.  On this day it was the perfect stop for pre-theatre drinks and snacks.


Clams baked with bacon, garlic & breadcrumbs


Crudite 

Estela

I finally have to admit that I disagree with just about everybody else and do not understand any of the hype around Estela.  I’ve given it second chances but maybe was less impressed than previous visits.  Maybe I have aged a few decades, but it was so dark that we had to use our iPhones to read the menu.  And while it was maybe cute the first time, I just don’t get why every dish is camouflaged with a layer of something.  When dishes are meant to be shared, the dish has to be almost completely disassembled to determine what is underneath and how to best split it.  And in near darkness this is almost impossible.  And while everything is very good I suppose I just don’t find anything on the menu to be that interesting.  I hate to be in the minority, but I just don’t get it.  Sorry!Mussels escabeche on toastWaldorf salad with yogurt and pistachiosBurrata with salsa verde and charred breadSteak with spicy marmalade, potatoes, and taleggioRicotta dumplings with mushrooms and pecorino sardoTen Bells

We finished the night with new friends, quite a few bottles of amazing wine, and pizza after closing time (which of course always seems like a good idea at 3am!).

NYC – 2/13/15 – the Nomad Bar

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This really needs to be my last post about the Nomad Bar or it is going to overtake this blog.  It wasn’t planned for the evening but I had a burger craving all day and after working out found myself only 2 blocks away.  How could I not go??  Its somewhat miserable to battle the weekend crowds but totally worth it as always!

Hair Trigger – venezuelan rum, fernet branca, ginger, lime, cucumber

Brussels sprouts – roasted with smoked lentil & parmesan

Burger – dry aged with cheddar, red onion & pickles

Mott & Mulberry – rye whiskey, luxardo amaro abano, apple cider, lemon