All Roads Lead to NOMAD
I have read this magazine since I was a child. You could say I grew up with it, my parents advertised in it 15 years ago! Now, recently graduated and at an employable age I applied for a job as a summer intern to cut my teeth in the magazine world. Illusions of summer parties, glamorous events and fashion shoots were quickly put on hold as I was asked to join the rest of the editorial team for August’s food review at the recently opened and highly regarded restaurant Nomad.
Arriving at the venue, I was shown to our table on the stunning terrace shaded by a beautiful 250 year old olive tree, with a backdrop of truly impressive panoramic mountain views framing Royal las Brisas golf course… this was some setting. Whilst waiting for my dining companions (I admit I was early but hey, this was my first week on the job) I decided to check out the interior design and was immediately struck by the ambiance and overall vibe of the venue. The decor is uber modern and understated chic, completed by an eclectic live DJ playlist with attentive staff collectively creating a charming and welcoming environment. A cursory glance back to the terrace informed me that my new work colleagues had arrived so I cooly sashayed over to join them (well as cool as you can do in 5 inch heels). Formalities over, we were introduced to our very charming and knowledgeable waiter Milan, who navigated us through the extensive food choices with all our queries expertly answered. Time to eat.
The first starter to arrive was a succulent Iberian pork belly, served with lettuce, crudités and a ‘green goddess dressing’. Milan advised how to create the perfect bite by adding a piece of pork to the accompanying lettuce leaf and garnishing with an assortment of pickles, a kind of modern day take on the timeless Chinese classic finger food ‘Yuk Sung’. This was followed by the ceviche of sea bream in a tiger milk dressing, delicately served with chilli, sweet corn, red onion and sweet potato. Not something I would usually order so I was pleasantly surprised at just how delicious it was. Remarkably fresh, subtly spicy, and immediately added to my new mental menu of favourite future dishes. The starters were completed by bite sized portions of baby corn ribs seasoned with ‘Nomad magic dust’. The flavour was so unexpectedly powerful and delicious, that it can only be comprehended once consumed. Traces of a barbecue-y heat broke through the accompanying cool lime dip. Nothing like your average corn on the cob, these ‘ribs’ definitely worked their magic on me!
Starters consumed. Next up, the sea bream skewer. Served on a flatbread alongside a colourful, red pepper, tomato, sumac, and onion salad this dish was a visual delight. The fresh, thick, white fish, flatbread and crisp salad had a refreshing Mediterranean zest. A side of perfectly buttery and salted roasted baby potatoes and jamón, rounded off this delectable dish. To this point, my two fellow reviewers had been very laid back about the food choices and had largely followed the suggested recommendations, but having been previously invited to the opening of this fine eatery both were waxing lyrical about the main course of New Zealand lamb chops. I have to admit I do love a lamb chop (or two) myself but when 5 of the aforementioned meaty delights duly arrived the atmosphere stiffened somewhat and my second chop aspirations quickly evaporated with some “do the math newbie” expressions from my companions! The soft marinated lamb chop/s melted in the mouth as the woody aroma of the fire grill dazzled the pallet. We chose to accompany the lamb with the jalapeño potato purée which in my opinion made for an optimal combination. The heat from the jalapeño added a new dimension to the standard potato mash and beautifully complimented the overall taste experience. This dish was in fact more than worthy of its possessive outcome and I was already dreaming of when I would be the established writer claiming my second chop from some other hungry looking intern with poor shoe choices.
As it turned out my meat rationing had left me with plenty of room for desert. The chocolate pistachio cake and yoghurt sorbet with caramelised popcorn both combined the perfect level of sweetness with the opposing textures of creamy and crunchy.
Food over and with the offered digestifs doing their work, I have to conclude that this experience of being a food reviewer had been both enlightening and remarkable in equal measures, the fayre on offer and overall attention to detail were faultless. I would definitely be returning to this restaurant very soon, but my lift had now arrived and despite intending on offering my fellow foodies a ride home my dad had arrived in a two seater… do the math guys :)
Nomad Restaurant & Lounge, Av. del Prado, Aloha., 951 55 34 44