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Category: French
Neighborhood: Near North SideChicago (Red)
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Three of us sauntered over to the NoMi lounge after a disappointing experience at the Signature Lounge. We'd also been to the Art Institute earlier in the day, so we were a little too dressed down for this swank spot. This place is upscale. Ladies and gents were decked out in their finest and there was lots of people watching!
When you first walk into the lounge, you'll spot a semi private room with a large table surrounded by walls of wine. (Looks like a fun spot for a ladies night out.)
The lounge itself is long and narrow with seating at the bar or in low tables with comfy chairs next to the windows. We found a seat next to the window and the waiter arrived almost instantly. We'd already had a few so we opted to order some champagne (yum!). The waiter was very professional, yet warm. We had such a good time, we stayed for a second bottle. Almonds served with our drinks kept us even happier.
This is a nice spot to hang out with friends, people watch, or have a romantic evening. On our way out, we checked out the patio. I think I'll be back when summer comes!
NoMI is a French/Japanese chimera of fish and the world's most dangerous game: waiting. Once your service gets chugging, though, it's smooth, and eventually you can stop looking for water, the waiter, and the wine.
We've had some strange, not bad, but strange, results when ordering entrees (tube shaped turbot?), but this time we shot with what was a safe bet of the Kiku (large sushi platter) and a few starters (Cauliflower Velouté and the most delicious "grilled cheese" ever with enormous pieces of shaved truffle on top.) Everything was pretty spot on, and I really have to stress it being some of the best sashimi I've ever had.
They also have a 50+ page wine list, complete with everything from half bottles to magnums of some of my favorites, including 7 different Ken Wright Cellars, of which the sommelier recommended her favorite.
Request a table with a view, which looks out onto Water Tower. You may have to wait longer to be seated, but get used to it.
INSIDE LOUNGE REVIEW (do I mean the Bar?):
I looooved this place!!! It was the epitome of perfection - the setup, the service, the lighting, the music, the classiness, the menu, the ambiance, the crowd, okay the list can go on forever!
While this won't work out for the party, because they don't take large reservations (or any at all), it's an amazing find. Their wine cellar is a great place to host a small group and the lounge itself has a variety of seating options, from large sofas to individual couch-chairs to a casual low-table for 6-8.
A Romantic Dessert Getaway!!!
This place is cool if you have tons of money. If you don't, then just have some desserts and drinks and you should be satisfied. They ranged between $7 to $14. The lowest price of dinner is $36 for a plate of English Peas. You can only sit on the deck that stretched out to Michigan Ave if you have a dinner reservation there. Thanksgiving buffet was $125. I don't think you can walk out here at dinner time below $60/pp, but it's Park Hyatt on Michigan Ave, so I got nothing to complain about.
My boyfriend and I had a classy post-dinner dessert trip to Park Hyatt. We were seated on the outdoor balcony on a slightly chilly September night. The ambiance was good and the bathrooms were completely amazing.
We ordered a virgin drink called something "Cucumber Cup." It looks plain, but tastes amazing. It was a blend of cucumber, mint, sprite and orange. We each ordered a dessert. My Strawberry Cheesecake Tart was amazing and fancy and so delicate, Just a thin tart on the bottom of the strawberries has three layers of flavors and textures. My boyfriend ordered the Chocolate Rasberry Savarin It was more on the sour side, not my cup of tea, but should suit people who like berries. For dessert and drink, it was good portion, but I have seen some of the entree and appetizers, really tiny.
The views were amazing and the ambiance was so romantic. Good for couples and people on business.
so romantic!!! fantastic food, drinks, and service. great view - definitely sit by the window!
I was lucky enough to get quite a large gift cert to Nomi from some friends for a wedding gift. We saved it to use on our first anniversary so we had dinner and brunch. I would give the dinner 2 1/2 stars and brunch 5 stars...we got to sit in the window for both which was nice...the view isn't spectacular but it's pretty nice.
Dinner: After stalking the menu for so long I was really excited to try a $23 spicy tuna roll...it was well worth it. I'm by no means a sushi snob but this was the best I'd ever have. As far as the entrees go we had a poached salmon and a turbot. Both were good but not out of this world...I guess I'm just cheap but I expected a bit more on my plate for $40. I chose a peach dessert on the waiters rec and it was good but didn't taste like much. My husband on the other hand had the choc indulgence which was really good. They also gave us a few little candies/cookies for our anniversary which was nice. I just found the place a bit stuffy...It was a little out of my league though I suppose.
Brunch: WOW!!! This was so worth the $55 each...they set up buffet stations with sushi and crab, pancakes/waffles/bacon/sausage, meats and cheese, fruit, pastries, and desserts. In addition to all this you also get to order an entree off the menu. I couldn't decide on one so they gave me 2...the nomi benedict and the steak sandwich. The bennedict came with lobster and they were not stingy like I thought they would be. The steak was paired with chimmichurri and goat cheese....mmmmm. I would definitely go back on a special occasion for brunch. I also would like to wear elastic waist pants next time and perhaps get rolled home. There is so much good food.
The menu is split into three sections: sushi, starters, and entrees. We were fairly confused about how to approach it, but decided on starting with some sushi, have one starter and sharing an entree.
The quality of the sashimi was unparalleled. We eat sushi weekly, and both felt it was extraordinary.
The second dish was crab wrapped in a bizarre beet red gelatin slab. It's smooth, jiggly redness was not exactly the most appetizing thing I've ever seen. The crab inside of it was very good though. Overall, a mixed bag.
Then, we shared the Turbot for our entree. It tasted very good, but the presentation was equally difficult to understand. It was served in two tube like shapes, almost having the appearance of a "fish sausage". I can only guess that they somehow rolled and compressed it into this odd shape? Admittedly, I have infrequently seen Turbot on menus, so have limited experience with it.
Nomi feels like it is lodged somewhere between the 1987 and 2030, but it is impossible to figure out where exactly.
The service attempts to be very formal, but falls short. Our head waiter was friendly, but often absent.
It was overall a fun an interesting night (with fantastic views by the way), but I think if we were to return, we would stick with the sushi.
NoMI has two distinct faces: a hip, stylish bar and lounge with amazing summer patio, and an ultra-swank dining room. I have frequented both, though the lounge was a regular haunt of mine for a year. I had the best time just sinking into a comfortable chair and reading and/or writing, ordering the specialized teas (during the summer) or hot chocolates (during the winter) and a small plate of sushi, sometimes stopping to gaze at the lovely views of the city through the windows. It was a blissful change of pace that allowed me some much-needed respite. Also on the lounge menu were a variety of appetizers and sandwiches, light fare that made for a snack or a quick meal.
The dining room has two modes: Sunday brunch, and their standard service. The brunch was good but I'm not into brunchy foods, so I'm not the best judge there. The various chefs have all been very innovative with their offerings, however. The main service is a menu filled with upscale, delicious fare - much quite heavy, rich, and intense - plus a very complete wine list. I found the fare to strike my palate quite well, so it was always a treat to be able to go. However, all of this has a downside: it's goofy-expensive. When two of my best friends got engaged, I took them here to celebrate and pulled out all the stops. I think the meal for the three of us was on the order of $250 and the wine another $200. This was not something I could afford to do almost ever - few people can. They also had a fairly rapid chef turnover a couple of years ago; I don't know how the kitchen has settled out now, but there are plenty of reviews that address that.
It's an experience, I'll say that. If you want it without totally going broke, just go to the lounge and hang there once. You'll get a sense of what it's like and you can sneak a peak in the dining room. They'll also bring you the dining menu to look at (but not order from). Note that the lounge has a more relaxed dress code of casual-hip; I used to go in jeans and a decent shirt.
I've been to Nomi twice now. Once for lunch with my BFF and once at their patio for late night bite and drinks. I really like both experience.
Lunch was awesome, food was fantastic and we were seated with a great view overlooking Michigan Ave. At one point, I wish I don't have a job and can lunch here everyday (a girl can dream, can't she?!) I love their patio space, even though there's no view (unless somebody forgot to close their blinds in the peninsula opposite of the street), but you can't beat al fresco in the summer of this town. The reason I can't give this place 5 stars is the sticker shock every time we got the bill. :-(
Way, way, way too expensive for what it is. The wine is marked up so much more than any place I've seen and the food is good, but again, not worth the price.
I also didn't like the way I was treated. Yes, in comparison with some of the other clientele, I'm younger and wasn't wearing Armani with my Gucci bag, covered in Bulgari jewelry. But my money is just as good as theirs, even in Banana Republic, with a Coach bag with jewelry from who-knows-where.
I almost thought the bartender was going to tell me to go back to the playhouse ala Ferris Bueller.
I was lucky enough to attend the Cochon 555 event this past weekend (http://amusecochon.com) at The Drake, however after about 45 lbs of bacon, and literally NO WATER in sight for an entire afternoon....my group was in great need of some liquid comfort.
Ah, AND we were dressed nicely. Let's do Nomi!
Eh, it's a hotel bar. Downtown. Yes, it's beautiful. However, it's stuffy. The views are fabulous, but the patio was closed due to cold weather (of course). The drink menu is fairly extensive, but entirely overpriced. I realize one pays for location and ambience, but $15 cocktails best be made with magical fairy dust...or at least served with a smile.
My champagne/bellini type drink was actually very good, a light shade of pink, but not too sweet. Could've used more bubbly, but that's my motto in every walk of life.
Perhaps that was the problem? A thin-lipped bartender with zero personality. Now, given...I don't need someone talkin' me up and hanging all around, but seriously...for an $80 round of drinks, SMILE. It's not hard, you work in a GORGEOUS building overlooking downtown Chicago...let's have some fun.
Overall, most definitely a nice alternative to drinks at the Hancock Tower. However, the drinks are priced the same, and at the Hancock I am on floor 96, not 7.
Good for: biz travelers, special occasions, sugar daddies. ;)
Best. Meal. Ever.
Thanks NoMI!
This place is so cool. My boyfriend took me on one of the first warm nights of summer. The rooftop dining area is really neat, with great views of the city. We just went for drinks and a snack, which is perfect for the atmosphere of the rooftop. Their cheese platter may have been the best I've ever had. I guess at $19 for the small it should be, but still, I was impressed. It had lots of fun accoutrements for the cheese such as jams and cool breads and crackers.
If it's nice out, this is the perfect place to go for a drink, especially if you have people in town and want to impress them with something a little more unique than places like the Hancock's Signature Room.
Oh boy... It pains me to write this as a long time, passionate patron and fan of NoMi where I've had many an enchanted dinner, drink, and brunch. But alas, over the past two years under Christoph's leadership the experience has gone from fine, sublime to dare I say, average and worse, an average hotel restaurant.
The inspiration is gone reflected in the quality, variety, innovation, and risk all of which are sadly lacking. I mean for goodness sakes, just looking at some of the other reviews, the turbot has been an unmovable and uninspired cement like fixture on the menu for over 3 to 4 years. Does the Park Hyatt need a $150K a year exec chef for this?
I've had multiple, detailed correspondences with the gm and f&b director hoping only to help them get back on track, but today after yet another underwhelming, insipid display, I am done.
Pritzker et al need to analyze what they really want to do and who they wish to captivate, break it apart, and do something...inspired. Best of luck team.
I feel like I've eaten in MOST of the top restaurants in Chicago, and have to say I'd rate NoMI number 1. The sushi at NoMI is shockingly phenomenal, and as fresh as I've had.
For dinner I had the butter poached lobster that is probably the best entree I've ever eaten. Not only do you get an amazingly flavorful split lobster tail, but they take the remaining lobster meat make this kind of lobster/crab meat risotto with it. The flavor is truly remarkable. My girlfriend had the Turbot which I thought was terrific, she found it a little rich for her.
I believe we had the chocolate stout cake which I thought was very tasty, and especially enjoyed the oatmeal ice cream.
NoMI is a fantastic place with beautiful views of the city. The food is very rich and creamy, so be aware before you commit to this wonderful, expensive experience.
This time we just went for drinks and an appetizer in the bar area. Great space. But only 3 stars if just going for drinks.
NoMi's restaurant, as I've previously noted, has Chicago's most overpriced wine list. In their bar area on a Friday night, we found interesting cocktails, a limited selection (19) of wines by the glass, available tables, impressive décor, and prompt service. It's an interesting space, away from the hotel lobby and therefore escaping the hotel atmosphere. The "lounge" menu is oriented to meals, not appetizers. If you don't want sushi and don't want a full sandwich, then you'll find the bar food menu is not very accommodating. We enjoyed several simple spinach and manchego empanadas with our drinks. But now it's in the "been there, done that" category - no reason to try the NoMi lounge again.
I don't normally comment on prices. But with all glasses of wine and cocktails between $12 and $25, and paying $17 for three small empanadas, it's far from being a bargain.
Meeting daughter's boyfriend for 1st time - the perfect place.
Our 25+ daughter was in town from…
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BEAUTIFUL!!!! but you're basically paying for the ambiance and NOT the food. The food was decent but not worth the price. The service was also spectacular but a little stuffy.
My fiancee and i had sushi as our apps. The only reason I would go back would be for the sushi. The sushi was melt in your mouth fresh! As for our entrees, meh. I had the turbot which was good but definitely not worth $42. My fiancee had the beef dish which consisted of 2 tiny pieces of braised ribs and a small filet (maybe 4oz). Sure it's not a steakhouse but if you're charging $50, it should be pretty good.
I do want to go back to eat the sushi and sit out on the garden terrace. But I won't be back for the entrees.
This is hands down the best out door bar I've been to in a long time and based on what I've heard/read, this might be the best outdoor bar in Chicago. Had some expertly made cocktails along with the small cheese plate while enjoying the views and the exceptional service. Only negative of course is that you get what you pay for and at a place like this, drinks and an app can cost you what you normally pay for dinner.
Oh Restaurant Week, how I love thee. I was pretty excited to try Nomi's lunch menu, $22 for three courses always seems like a great deal, and I tested the waters at Nomi.
The first course, the pumpkin and coconut soup was delicious! I would have happily accepted a larger bowl for my main course and called it a day. For my second course, I ordered the fish of the day Mahi Mahi. I had been thinking about this dish for the week I had my reservation, I really expected great things to happen. The waiter said the fish was "light" which I took to mean that I wouldn't slide into a food coma after consuming, actual translation: no flavor. I am sorry, but this was a major let down. I always eat my entire dish, but I had to stop, I was not feeling the fish, or the pile of capers sitting on top of it. I wish I had ordered what my guest was eating - the sushi plate.
The dessert options were great, I ended with the sorbet because it was the only dish I did not see come out of the kitchen. I was not disappointed in the taste or presentation.
Overall, the restaurant is good, I am thinking that the fish was just not my taste but I would certainly come back again round two. The presentation of all dishes were beautiful and thoughtful, something I very much appreciate. 3.5 stars for Nomi.
I was quite disappointed with NoMI after hearing various hype about how "awesome" their outdoor patio was. Had to wait almost 20 minutes for someone to take my drink order for what turned out to be some of the most overpriced and terrible tasting concoctions put forth to these lips. Save your money, folks. Unless you're trying to "impress" somebody with the fancy location, there's really no purpose to this joint.
Disclaimer: 3 stars for my Bar experience, not food!
I had an hour to kill on North Michigan so I decided to treat myself to a cocktail instead of being jostled around in Border's or Water Tower. The bar is simple, stark and gorgeous. The big ticket views for which NoMI is famous are obviously in the dining room, here you'll see little more than the Peninsula across the street.
Service was so differential that it came of as frigid and detached. Seriously guys, I know professionalism is important in an establishment of this caliber and price-point, but crack a smile! I ordered a Manhattan with a twist (instead of cherries), which the bartender couldn't quite comprehend: if I'm paying $20 for a drink (with tip), I want it the way I want it.
That said, once I was served I was left to my own devices and my newspaper, which I used to disguise the fact that I was trying to eavesdrop on chef Christophe David who was sipping a glass of wine at a table behind me. No dice- the whole conversation was in French.
I've been to NoMi one to many times... The new chef has a good background, but the menu does not live up to the hype. The Sushi is pretty good. The California Roll, is the best in town. I don't get these sort of rolls, but it's filled with fresh real crab..
I would guess it's a good place to impress, but the food, and service isn't up to par for the price.. Further, I have never found the staff to be very nice....
Oh yeah, I didn't mention it earlier, but I was also dining about 2 tables away from Bono.
Today, I had lunch outside, under an umbrella, 7 floors up, sunshining, food smelling and tasting… Read more »
Went here for a Restaurant Week lunch and was pleasantly surprised at how welcoming and affordable this place could be during the daytime... My previous visits to NoMI were pre-yelp and on someone else's dinner tab, which meant the wine flowed and my memories are spotty!
Without really planning to, the four of us ordered one of each RW menu item. It was a great way to see the full range of the menu. The sushi platter was extremely generous, from tuna rolls to yellow fin and plenty to share. The portion-sizes were healthy without being obnoxious, another bonus is my book because if I am getting dessert, I want to have room for dessert!
First course was a lovely pumpkin coconut curry soup, followed by gnocchi (me); crab cakes (Kathy P.); sushi (Ann A.); and a meaty-fish-similar-to-sword (Genevieve H.).
Everything tasted great and the presentation was flawless, but then, it's hard to find fault when confronted with the restaurant's spectacular view and perfect, yet unobtrusive service! Be warned: most beverages, including club soda, start at $5...
If that sushi platter is part of the restaurant's regular lunch menu, I will definitely go back.
NoMI is one of my favorite lounges in the city for cocktails. It's sophisticated, romantic, as luxe as they come! And they have an inclination for playing the perfect 'mood' music-- downtempo, sexy, just a well-planned buildup!
The brown butter gnocchi tastes as fabulous as it sounds. I've never tried the sushi, but I can't justify paying $23 for a spicy tuna roll. Or an $8 Guinness for that matter! So realize going in that you'll be throwing down some cash and treat yourself to something indulgent, like a $15 truffle martini. Yea girl... order what you REALLY want.
I love the lounge space and all of its dimly lit allure, but the garden terrace is truly special. Something about it makes me forget I'm in Chicago and rather, have been whisked away to an exotic locale. I saw Scarlett Johansson here once boys, and yes, she is even more beautiful in person.
I guess the RedEye rag would classify NoMI as a spot to close the deal but I call it seventh heaven. Why only four stars? Because I can't afford to go here often enough, damnit. But I did come here the night I was laid off, and somehow it made my world much better.
I went here for Valentines Day...the service was impeccable, probably my favorite thing here. I definately give our server credit-he never once pressured us into having a drink but the second we decided we wanted one all we had to do was think it and he was right there.
Other than that it was totally overpriced for what it was. Sure, the food was prepared and presented very nicely but nothing to blow me away. And the tables were awkwardly close (I was unable to really talk about anything without my neighbors overhearing everything). And if your table has no view (as many do not) than really you are just in a fancy overpriced restaurant.
So I would probably not go back, there was nothing to special about it.
I simply love this restaurant. The view is outstanding, the staff is professional and helpful with the menu.
Sushi isby far the best in the city.
I truly enjoyed the sunday brunch. It is a buffet well set up through the restaurant that allows you to see every coner of the main dinning room (open kitchen, sushi bar & the pastry).
I strongly recommend NoMI Garden is the summer. Perfect fto start a girl night out or special date. (Great social scene)
For those of you visiting Chi-town, Nomi is a must for real food lovers! Located on the second floor of the elegant Hyatt on Michigan Ave., Nomi delivers across the board with spectacular service, ambiance, and most importantly, food. It was hard for me to concentrate on the wine list; I was too busy gawking at the jaw-dropping views from my table. The riesling that I selected was excellent, and complemented my food perfectly. My mother, sister, and I ordered from the prix fixe part of the menu, which turned out to be a really good thing. We were all able to enjoy an appetizer, entree, and dessert for reasonable prices. We would have paid way more had we ordered dishes a la carte. All right, back to the food. The Asian greens with calamari rocked my world man! The best salad I've ever had. The miso-lime vinaigrette had me practically licking the bowl (miso lovers, you KNOW what I'm talkin' 'bout!). On the other side of the rectangular dish sat a sublime corn soup topped with lime creme fraiche. So creamy, smooth, and delicious! Corn soup? Who knew?
For our entrees, we ordered the sushi platter, the mahi-mahi, and gnocchi. The sushi was a delight... so incredibly fresh. The mahi-mahi was at the same time slightly crispy and tender, and bursting with juices. Then I put some avocado on that baby and it was over... The gnocchi dish with market vegetables and arugula pesto left me wanting more. It was surprisingly light,flavorful, and well balanced. I really liked the portions; they weren't huge or heavy, or way too small. You leave there feeling just right. Even after the dessert!
And speaking of dessert, I enjoyed my mango sorbet so much. It wasn't just merely mango flavored. The flavor was so spot on I felt like the sorbet itself had once been a mango! Or maybe this mango one day decided to turn itself into a sorbet. I was like WHAT?!!! Best meal I've had in a while. Thanks Nomi!
I went to NoMI for restaurant week, and was pleasantly surprised by what I got for my money.
The Good:
We were one of the firsts there for lunch so we were seated by the windows which allowed us to see Michigan Ave.
For $22, I ordered the Pumpkin Coconut Soup, The Catch of the Day (which was Mahi Mahi) over Wilted Spinach, Potato Puree, and Sauce Vierge, and a Trio of Seasonal Sorbet (Spiced pear, Cherry, and Tropical Fruit).
Now, this is only a Restaurant Week special. Normally the price is $25 for the prix-fixe, but I would definitely come back for $3 more. My meal was, for the most part, off the hook. I thoroughly enjoyed my soup, and entree, and the Spiced Pear Sorbet was amazing (the other two tasted surprisingly ordinary).
We also received a tray of bite sized sweets with our check. A very nice touch to the meal.
Now the bad...
I ordered the non-alcoholic Mini Bellini for a drink, and was in sticker shock when I received the check. $10 for a 5 oz. flute of juice, when a glass of wine was priced at $9.
Also, I feel bad for my boyfriend because I dont think his meal was as tasty. He ordered the Chicken Apple Soup (with subtle hints of Truffle Oil), Potato Gnocchi, and the Chocolate Caramel Brownie Macaroon. From the small tastes I had, the soup tasted a little watery, the gnocchi was very greasy, and the dessert, while very appealing to the eye, was a very sad attempt at an ice cream sandwich. The macaroons were as hard as rocks, the caramel ice cream was way too sweet, and the chocolate syrup was so thick and gooey in consistency that the taste of chocolate lingered in our mouths a long time after eating it.
Also, the service while good, was very strange, even by fine dining standards. Our server kept switching from one person to another. Now I assumed one was a server, and the other a server assistant, but then a busser came out to drop bread on our table. It is nice to have consistency and somebody to make a connection when you go out to eat, but that did not happen this time.
I also noticed that at the other tables, the "server" was always there to explain the dishes as they were dropped, but we received no such treatment. There was a nice side salad that came with our soups... Too bad we had no idea what we were eating because it wasn't listed in the menu, nor was it explained to us.
It wasn't bad because everything that needed to be done was done, but nobody really took the helm.
Also, I assumed that NoMI was going to be a totally trendy place, especially since it is located in such a prime location. I was a little disappointed by the atmosphere when I got there. The best word to describe would be sterile. Even though everything is nicely decorated, and the servers are not dressed up in stuffy tuxes, the place is still missing personality: the music is just a little too soft, and everything is just a little too polished. I guess that is fine dining for you.
Summary:
This place is a great deal for lunch. Come for the food though, not for the experience.
This is a very modern elegant restaurant in the Park Hyatt on North Michigan Avenue. Many of my clients are some of the most powerful businessmen in the world. We planned a special dinner reception event here a couple years ago and it went fabulously.
They have the bar, the lounge, the dining room, and about three private dining room. All are lovely. The "Gallery" private dining room even has water art. The view from the main dining room is of the historic Chicago Michigan Avenue, and is fantastic. I agree with other reviewers that the cuisine is franco-orient themed. But in the summer months, they have a terrace where you can order tapas.
Also- don't miss their exclusive tea menu. The teas range from familiar teas (you get an entire pot of it for yourself) for about $7, or very exotic teas, some in the $100+ plus range. Fun to try new ones. During the day, it's still elegant but a little more casual, as some hotel guests are just getting some breakfast or reading the newspaper. The evening is when it really shines.
The special event staff is fantastic, and their chef was so willing to accommodate our group's needs.
Huzzah for restaurant week! I had the pleasure of eating at NoMi with three fellow yelpers. We hit NoMi around 11:45, and were rewarded with the best table in the house, overlooking a snowy Michigan Avenue.
I began with the chicken and apple soup, which was a flavorful and light starter in addition to the variety of fresh bread. There were four entree options and I was fortunate enough to be able to try each one.
The sushi platter was a beauty to behold. The freshness and quality of the fish matched the presentation. The crab cakes were crispy without being greasy. Come to think of it, the insides even had a nice crunch. However, I thought the portion was a little small for a lunch entree.
The gnocchi was delicious -- buttery and mouth-melty! I do not recall the name of the catch of the day on that particular day, but it was similar to swordfish in that it was a firm white fish. It was flaky and perfectly cooked.
As for dessert, the carrot cake was my absolute favorite -- and not just because I count carrot cake as a serving of vegetables. It was amazingly moist with a delicate swirl of white chocolate mousse. The tart was more berry than pistachio, and the caramel chocolate macaroon was sinfully rich. The sorbet was sorbet -- it was fruity and cleansed my palette, but sorbet will never be dessert to me!
Service was impeccable -- our waiter was pleasant and attentive in spite of the lunch time rush.
I was pleased to find out that NoMi will continue to run a $25.00 lunch -- soup, entree, and dessert -- after restaurant week is over. What a great way to treat yourself!
I've been here three times, while visiting from out of town - once for breakfast and twice for drinks & appetizers.
The setting is cool, very different - if you're lucky to sit at a window the view is breath taking. The decor through the bar relaxes you with it's lighting & complimentary decor - mahogany, tall vases with reeds & the hammered tin on the bar were nice extra touches.
I found the bar tenders & wait staff to be a bit starchy formal.
OK - I got really lucky last night! I went to NoMi to meet a friend and her out of town business associate. I'm guessing from the other Yelp reviews my experience might have been differant if he hadn't had his company Amex on hand! I had a couple of Dirty Martini's - I don't even wanna know what they cost!! And they were good although not very strong (which can be a good thing). Then we all shared the cheese plate and a couple of the sushi rolls. Everything was good. The views are spectacular and had it been warmer the rooftop patio would have been nice. The overall vibe is very swanky, hip and modern and there are definately a lot of people there who are clearly in a differant salary bracket. I think if I had been bent over for the tab I might not be so happy with this place so definately wait til you win the lottery or have some other reason to splurge but should that day come, this is not a bad spot to spend it in!
Overall: 4/5 (I'd LOVE to return to try the regular menu, but the restaurant is over-rated and too expensive for a food that is not so memorable)
Taste: 4/5 (Pleasantly surprised in many ways, but also disappointed in quite a few dishes where flavor just fell flat or came in average)
Originality: 5/5 (The beet salad and fresh crab cakes were tasty, the macaroon and ice-cream, and the "twist" to most of the dishes impressed us!)
Value: 4/5 (For the $22 set menu for Chicago Restaurant week, this is a great deal, but normally this is a great "special occasions" restaurant that I don't think is a good enough deal to bring me back)
Service: 5/5 (Perfect of course! Attentive, kind, and super-speedy water re-fills!)
You have to have an open mind when dining here unless you go to places like this all the time.
It's definitely bleeding edge cuisine along the lines of Tru or WD-50.
The food is actually amazing as are some of the interesting cocktails they create here. The most interesting parts of our meal were the small palate cleansing micro dishes that were brought out between courses. I believe one was a basil sorbet.
The wine selection is exhaustive and everything is expensive, even if you're rich you could spend more than you're comfortable with here.
The service is amazing and incredibly formal even if you're used to going out to very nice restaurants. Nomi is a step above a very nice restaurant.
The view is spectacular, as it's on the 9th floor of the Chicago Park Hyatt overlooking the water tower and North Michigan Avenue.
Went for a five course tasting menu with wine pairings, and left quite satisfied with the meal. NoMI is no Alinea, but their grasp of unique combinations holds its own (at least to this novice food enthusiast).
Though I was slightly disappointed to see almost everything in our tasting in the menu (but what can you expect from a Monday night?), highlights for me were definitely the turbot, glazed with carrots cooked with bacon (yum!) and a beef duet with what seemed to be ratatouille. The pairings seemed very well planned out, with a surprisingly good brunello to go with a great set of deserts, which our party shared.
Views were great, and the terrace seemed like it would be perfect on a warm days.
Would definitely recommend it to anyone seeking scenery, class, and some good eats.
I remember a low-end porno magazine from the 90's called 'Swank.' I don't know if it's still around or if it survived the digital porn revolution, but that magazine introduced the word "swanky" into my personal lexicon. The word meant something different back then. After dining at NoMI, I've acquired a whole new level of understanding of what it means to be swanky.
This place gleams and glistens above Michigan Avenue. It's meticulous, from the décor to the service to the food. If you get a window table (which we were lucky enough to do), you have unbelievable views of the lake, the water tower, the Hancock, and all the little ants down on Michigan Ave. People with serious money live in this rarified atmosphere all the time. I just like to visit once in awhile, without having to pass a background check, or append a Roman numeral to the end of my name.
The rave is about NoMI's sushi and desserts. I have to agree. Sushi is such a consistent, predictable commodity, but somehow this was the best sushi I've ever eaten. It's difficult to explain how one piece of raw dead fish is better than another...something about the texture and some subtle additions of flavor to the rolls. Whatever the reason, the sushi was fantastic.
As for the entrees and appetizers, I have no real complaints. Everything was executed with great care, precision, and creativity...but the flavors were kind of abstract and difficult to lock into and they didn't make my taste buds go wild with delight (but the prices certainly made my wallet tingle with anxiety.) The desserts were along the same vein of being creative and modern, but also managed, at the same time, to be delicious.
A WEIRD NOTE: I know I shouldn't comment on this, but it's impossible not to. NoMI only has about 15-20 tables at full capacity, and more than half the tables were empty on this night, but a full 5 of the tables that were occupied (including all of those within my line of vision) comprised of white dudes with hot Asian dates. I thought I was hallucinating...that I suffered some head trauma and was now experiencing double, triple, and now quintuple vision. (Was my afternoon cocktail of absinthe finally kicking in? No, everyone still had only one head, two ears, and two eyes.) I know that Chicago is a very diverse city and that's cool, but simply I cannot explain this statistical anomaly without concluding that some Asian fetish convention was in town. I started feeling suddenly self-conscious about my embarrassingly predictable choice for a mate, and started examining my very Caucasian, very Polish wife and wondering how she could be a little more Asian, too. So to all you single, frustrated Asian men who are wondering where all the women disappeared to, you might want to head down to NoMI and straighten out some business before these pansy white bankers steal them all.
Located in the Park Hyatt Chicago, NoMI [from North Michigan, as in Avenue] serves upscale contemporary French cuisine with an Asian twist. The 7th floor restaurant boasts stunning views of Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan and even has a 50-seat outdoor terrace; the entire restaurant, including the 120-seat main dining room, is designed by Tony Chi. The adjoining lounge features a Wenge wood bar, Bolivian rosewood floors and backless eelskin stools.
The restaurant was named Best Hotel Restaurant by Time Out Chicago 2007 Readers and for good reason, it's a unique space with spot on service and excellent French-based dishes.
I've been going to NoMI since it opened and have to say that since the kitchen was overtaken by Christophe David, of the Park Hyatt Paris, it has only gotten better over the years. The cuisine is a distinctive blend of experiences, engaging all the senses, and offers diners a myriad of choices. From those who crave an elegant meal, to more casual fare in the NoMI Lounge, Garden, and secluded Cellar on the Seventh - all offer a distinctive take on chef David's palate-pleasing contemporary French cuisine interweaved with a global flare.
Sharing the same understated confidence of Chef David himself, the menus take an unpretentious approach to fine dining, evident by the fact that most dishes remain infinitely accessible, rarely involving more than three or four key flavors. Chef David leads a talented team in executing a vision rooted in sophisticated simplicity.
Whether it is after a few small bites or splurging on a five-course tasting, NoMI's dessert selections are refined and delicious. The dedication of the pastry chef shines through in the artful execution of everything from homemade sorbets and mignardises to post-modern transformations of classic, comforting desserts.
This place left a lasting impression upon me! The atmosphere is well balanced, the restaurant feels open and yet the tables are intimate. I ordered salmon and it was perfectly scrumptious. The wine was great, a wine lover adores a place like this. I remember enjoying the decadent chocolate dessert. Someday when I have the occasion and am ballin' I would like to take my family here to celebrate.
I think most of the reviews here are accurate... the sushi was good, but $23 for a california roll? You got to be kiding me. Cali roll is the most basic roll there is. The Kiku sushi platter, which by definition would be the sushi chef combination for 1 platter that can be had at around $28 at most sushi joints in chicago (sushi wabi, Japonais, etc), is $53 here. Insane. The service was slow, but the drinks and food were good but expensive. I would come back... when I win the lotto.
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