It’d been too many moons since I popped my head into Surry Hills’ stalwart Nomad, so it was time to see what they’d been up to. Turns out, they’re still up to their old tricks.
We foolishly begin with “not enough Oysters”, and are swiftly forced to order a couple more per head, with their signature Worcestershire Mignonette ($5 each). Even my Oyster-hating Auntie slurps back a slippery sucker and asks for another. Good start.
Before we can enjoy our encore, Cannellini Bean Hummus ($18) arrives with accompanying Wood Fired Flatbread with Za’atar ($9)
The Hummus is textbook Nomad, and goes down easier than the standard dip, allowing it to be spread on almost anything you can imagine, including (but not limited to) your favourite person’s body parts.
Warm Flatbread always makes me wonder why I ordered anything else. It’s a crispy pillow of comfort food madness.
The decadence of the Duck Liver Parfait Toasties with Pickled Eschalot, Pedro Ximenez ($9 each), seem to bring a ceasefire to any heated debate on the table. Let politics never get in the way of a good bite.
To satiate a pescatarian dinner guest, Kingfish Ceviche with Avocado, Finger Lime and Coriander Cracker ($29) arrives in stunning fashion.
Possibly the most beautiful dish to arrive tonight, the Kingfish appears meticulously presented with pureed avocado and carefully punctuated with fried garlic. Winner.
The Coriander Crackers appear like samosas, crumble like thick papadums and are seasoned imperceptibly and perfectly. If that’s not an improvement on an Indian side dish, I have no idea what is.
From the wood oven, a Cod Fish Pie arrives with a savoury whipped cream and mushroom assiette (No idea what the fancy Nomad name for this is, as I forgot to snap the menu). It’s heat indicates our mains have begun, it’s ballast suggest we may have over ordered.
Never fear! We’ve all left room for the BBQ Lamb Rump with Sugar Loaf Cabbage, Bagna Cauda ($39)... haven’t we? I suggest you do, as this dish almost redefines Lamb. I never thought I’d say that.
Special should out at this point to the side dish we all thought we’d require, but all struggled to fit in our stomachs. Pork Fat Potatoes with Romesco topped with Lardo ($18). You the real MVP.
An avid reader of mine will know I’m not one for sweets, but my dining partners were on this evening. Our table ended up with one Orange Blossom Sundae with Yoghurt Sorbet, Coconut, Caramel and Orange Blossom Granita ($17), which I could have taken or left.
And one Banana Baklava with kataifi, hazelnut and salted caramel ganache. Which was pure genius.
Until my next visit, when I expect everything to be precisely where I left it… in the hands of some of Sydney’s finest.
Nomad
16 Foster Street
Surry Hills
NSW 2010