Let’s start with how excited I was to eat at The Nomad Hotel in NYC. They are famous for their whole roast chicken with truffles and foie gras, and I’ve heard great things. Which is why I was so fricken pissed with my experience.
We had a fairly early dinner res because we wanted to go out drinking post dinner, which usually means you get fast, great service because the restaurant isn’t packed yet. Not the case. It began with several waiters, so we didn’t know who actually was designated to us. One nice woman took our appetizer order, we ordered the radishes, the lamb tortellini, and the hamachi with beets, as well as some cocktails. Before we even get our drinks another waiter (who ends up actually being our waiter) demands we place the full order as they do not take orders at your pace (how fucking pompous).
My husband was not feeling well and we wanted to have a nice paced dinner to see how he was feeling before we ordered more. Apparently this is unacceptable. So we order the whole roast chicken (the most expensive item in the menu) you would think that would give us better service. It did not. We constantly were out of drinks, they would pop over, walk by, and not ask if we wanted another (we had to get his attention) and they would not clear the dirty plates. Pre-busing is service 101.
The butter crusted radishes came out first. They were a pleasant surprise. They were raw radishes, covered in cold butter similar to a chocolate covered strawberry, served with flakes of fluer de sel. It was unique and a refreshing way to begin the meal.
Next the hamachi with beets arrived, and the lamb tortellini. The hamachi was okay, it was forgettable, although it was very beautiful. But no one loves a beautiful girl with no depth, just like I don’t love hamachi without any flavor.
The lamb tortellini was incredible. This was the only dish that actually made me do my happy food dance and want to lick the plate clean. Tender shredded lamb inside happy little dough vessels, in a broth that is so complex and deep you don’t care if the neighboring table is judging you for the noises you’re making while shoveling these babies into your mouth.
The chicken came out whole, I was delighted, it smelled amazing. Then they took it back, chopped it up and gave me junk. And by junk I mean the chicken breast (my least favorite cut) with a foie gras spread under the skin and 1 piece of asparagus and an asparagus mouse. The thigh (best fricken part) was chopped up and bastardized in a boring cream sauce with breading on top, and the wings were deboned and fried, covered in a dusting of fried chicken skin (this was actually really tasty and I wish there was more of that). This is not what I believe anyone expects what they deliver, and not in a good way.
Overall I give it 2 stars and those are strictly for the tortellini. The service was awful and the rest of the meal was forgettable.
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