NOMAD Melbourne

NOMAD on Flinders Lane (sister restaurant to NOMAD in Sydney) is a stunning Mediterranean inspired restaurant and bar. Located on the lower ground floor of the Adelphi Hotel the restaurant focuses on locality through both produce and place.

Executive chef across NOMAD Melbourne and Sydney, Jacqui Challinor and Melbourne head chef, Brendan Katich (ex Gingerboy and Ezard) have created a menu that stays true to NOMAD’s ethos. Think woodfired flatbread, stretched to order, housemade charcuterie and cheese, as well as NOMAD’s signature wood-fired oven.

The drinks list has been created by NOMAD Group’s beverage director, Ged Bellis and boasts an extensive wine list from the best Australian small growers and producers and supplemented by some of the finest wines from around the world, with France and Italy as particular favourites.

We loved tasting our way through the menu which utilises the best Australian produce with a strong focus on in-house production, an impressive charcuterie program and cooking with fire.

To start, the dish of Burrata was wonderful. This cheese sensation demonstrated that unforgettable dishes can sometimes be very simple. In this instance, a ball of unadulterated burrata simply paired with gooey sweet fennel jam and extra virgin olive oil. When the outer solid mozzarella shell was cut, we loved how the creamy interior of soft, stringy curd and fresh cream revealed itself. The sumptuously rich yet sensibly balanced flavours were sensational. We suggest ordering this dish with NOMAD’s iconic wood fired flatbread - perfect for mopping the plate with!

The dish of okra, was similarly delicious - perfectly battered okra was celebrated with aromatic truffle honey and heady pecorino.

The trend continued with the Shallot tarte tatin with fenugreek, sherry caramel and goat’s curd – just yum. A classical and flavour laden dish which had us fighting over the last morsel.

For mains, the lamb rump served with romesco and sugarloaf cabbage was (as expected) exquisitely prepared. Displaying a mastery in the manner the lamb was cooked, the slice of lamb was cooked perfectly from end to end. A light searing ensured that it was lined with a thin crisp layer packed with caramelised flavour.

Our visit concluded on a sweet high with a duo of stunning desserts - olive oil ice cream sandwich with halva, pistachio and honey; and Wood roasted quince, frangipane, yoghurt sorbet, mead butterscotch. Both were spectacular.

NOMAD delivers excellent, unique food in a wonderfully understated, elegant setting. It provides a perfect backdrop to meet with friends over a cocktail (or three) and treat yourself to some of the good things in life.

Location: 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Phone: 03 8419 2800

Link: https://nomad.melbourne/