Tauranga’s Nomad wants to take you on an epicurean adventure around the world, without you leaving the comfort of their open fire.
Your journey will reflect those taken by Nomad’s well-travelled kitchen and bar team, the highlights of their careers abroad reflected on your plate and in your glass. Dining is enjoyed in several courses, with the menu set out in stages to offer you a complete experience.
You might think of it as a mini degustation, actually – and Nomad has plans to host full degustation evenings soon.
Photography by Rachel Dobbs.
To start, selections include freshly shucked oysters served au naturel, with a piquant mignonette or with ponzu truffle dressing; a simple yet stunning sardine bruschetta; or charred bread with sweet-spicy chilli oil and provolone fondue.
To follow, there’s a brilliant chargrilled pear and Parma salad with fennel, rocket and the crunch of hazelnuts and croutons; there’s kingfish sashimi plated like a piece of modern art, and lamb belly with smoked beetroot purée, feta and a lively pea and bean smash.
Photography by Rachel Dobbs.
If you’ve never tried beef tartare, now’s the time – Nomad’s iteration will have you understanding its status as a classic. They’re not done yet either, with larger plates of duck breast, or market-fresh fish with a celeriac remoulade, caper butter and romesco sauce to follow.
The impressive bar menu includes stonkingly fine mussel fritters with Spanish allioli and salsa, an authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwich, and a cheeseboard with lavash and honeycomb.
Nomad’s West End blues cocktail.
The beverage menu at Nomad deserves equal billing to the inspired cuisine. There’s a sweeping selection of cocktails and mocktails, and a wine list that wows. Nomad is also a speciality gin bar, with 40 of the world’s best gins and plans to bump the number up to 100 by summer.
Story by : Alana Broadhead. Photography by : Rachel Dobbs.
