April 16, 2021
I recently attended an in-person, media event for the first time in over a year at the new Nomad Eatery in El Segundo – a sure-fire sign things are finally beginning to open back up in earnest!
Restauranteur Scott Cooper has helmed several restaurants in the South Bay over the years with Nomad Eatery being the most recent. Located in the former Jackson’s space on Rosecrans Avenue, the structure at the moment is unchanged, but plans to create an outdoor patio are in the works, in addition to adding French doors to the main dining area. The courtyard location is strategic and much appreciated – you would never know you’re dining in the midst of a major commercial corridor.
While perusing the menu and noting some of the ingredients and spices – turmeric, tahini, zhoug, curry, saffron, nuoc cham, tzatziki, bulgar, daikon, mescal, cardamom – you quickly realize Nomad is aptly named. The dishes showcase cuisines from around the globe, including the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
We began with a couple of hand-crafted cocktails. The Amor Malo (tequila blanco, rhum agricole, bianco vermouth, cucumber, lime and mint) was refreshing and smooth, but we made a mess trying to muddle the cucumber and mint in the short glass.
The Bramble On (Fords gin, crème de mure, yogurt, blackberry and lime) was pure decadence – slightly creamy, tangy and beautiful to look at.
To start, we ordered the Little Gems Caesar Salad and Coconut Jumbo Shrimp. The Little Gems lettuce was a pleasant change in taste and texture from the standard romaine.
The shrimp were perfectly crusted, and the mango-peach chutney provided the expected sweetness along with a hint of heat from chili peppers. Both starters were generous and could easily be shared among two or possibly three people. Seriously, the shrimp were huge and while there were six on the plate, two would have sufficed as a starter.
We ordered the Chimichurri Steak Frites and Nomad Chicken Kebob for entrees. The kebob dish offered a master class in Mediterranean dining with two kebobs of juicy chicken, tomatoes, peppers, onion, mushrooms, baba ganoush, tzatziki, cucumber/bulgar salad, and a huge, puffed tahini flatbread. Each forkful offered a distinctive flavor profile and I would gladly eat this dish every day.
The Chimichurri Steak Frites is a marinated, prime, flat iron steak served with Nomad Fries. We requested medium-rare and it was cooked perfectly – browned exterior, pink around the edge and red center. Tender and delicious on its own, the chimichurri was a flavorful complement. The generous portion was literally a pile of sliced meat and fries that would satisfy the greatest appetite.
We split the Warm Chocolate Heaven for dessert and didn’t mind the 20 minute wait since it gave us time to digest the previous courses. Light and tasty, it was the perfect end to a flawless meal.
Dining at Nomad is like taking a trip around the world and considering the quality and quantity of the servings, the prices are more than reasonable. The staff was attentive, friendly and just as excited as the diners to be there. Nomad also has a full and impressive bar.
Nomad’s mission is to create great food, using indigenous ingredients, respecting ethnic flavors and bringing it all together with a modern vibe – and Nomad has achieved that goal.
For additional information, visit the website at https://nomadsouthbay.com/.
Nomad Eatery is located at 2042 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245.