The Nomad Reserve — Restaurant in Houston

The parking was $20 for valet which was in a strip mall next to food trucks. The valet was not pleasant and were rude and very short with the patrons. We were seated and waited 30 mins for drinks to come despite there being multiple bar tenders. We then ordered the wings with the Asian Hennessy sauce and it was ok. The wings were very small and the plate cost a total of $20 but the flavor was good, the wings didn’t appear to be battered which I enjoyed because since they were so small it would have been all batter and no meat. We ordered waters and they brought out 2 bottles of ozarka water and 2 glasses of ice with straws. The drinks were presented with a smoking mechanism that was used by the waitress. Added an apple smoked flavor to the drinks. The drinks were about $16/$17 each and full of ice, not strong, which is ok but way too much ice for the price. For entrees we ordered another appetizer, the jambalaya bites, and the salmon with green beans and mashed potatoes. The jambalaya bites lacked depth and it was odd that they didn’t have rice in them. They were filled with melty cheese shrimp and sausage that somewhat tasted like breakfast sausage vs some type of andouille that you would usually find in jambalaya. They were also $15 for three and very small. The salmon was cooked well and the green beans were delicious with a sweet glaze on both salmon and green beans. The mashed potatoes that came with the salmon were salty but had a great texture. The salmons was presented nicely with the salmon on top of the green beans and mashed potatoes but the appetizers had zero presentation and zero garnish. The service was ok. We asked for silverware and napkins, the waitress told us they only had small bar napkins, I’m assuming because we sat near the bar. The manger came by and asked if we needed anything and we asked for formal dining napkins in which he brought them out immediately. Not sure why our waitress wasn’t willing to grab them considering we could see the table next to us with green cloth napkins and silverware. Also each table has a 2 hr limit. The food came out quickly but the drinks took time as mentioned above. With the time limit you would expect everything to move pretty quickly. The atmosphere was nice, dark lighting, large statue centered between some decorative steps in which they did allow people to take photos on. The music was great! Enough to make you sing-a-long but nothing to get people too rowdy. The crowd was fun and light. Loud singing and celebrations heard through out....

As an establishment, customer service should be a top priority and can make or break your success as a business. I was part of a large party and y server, Bre (spelling) did not appear to be well trained and equipped to handle a party of our size. There was no rhythm or flow to how she operated. She often forgot things, our order was taken in a staggered fashion (I'm almost certain she forgot to take half of the table's order) but I digress. My major concern and a reason for never wanting to return is the management, or LACK thereof. It took an additional 20-30 minutes for me to receive my food. I ordered empanadas (appetizer) and the lamb chops (main). Both came out at the same time 20-30 minutes after the last person received their food. I was literally the last person eating in my party because of this. When I received my food, it was incorrect. I brought this up to my waiters attention. She first offered to have it corrected and I refused due to it already taking so long for my food to come out. I explained the lack or urgency and other mishaps we had experienced as a group and noted that it was simply unacceptable and opted for some type of compensation; to which Bre reviewed my tab an stated the empanadas would be comped. Only to later come back and say that her "manager" (the chef) will not comp the empanadas. I requested to speak to the "manager" who refused to come speak to me, a paying customer with an issue at hand. Instead of being a manager and rectify the situation she insisted on relaying information through Bre. This "manager" insultingly offered to provide a 15% off the empanadas to which I refused. I broke down everything to Bre once again, so that it could be relayed to the "manager". The issue could have been resolved way sooner and I could have been able to enjoy my meal with less interruptions had the manager actually MANAGED the restaurant. Not to mention after finally reaching an agreement, the "manager" was seen mingling with other tables, having a laugh; but she couldn't have been bothered to actually do her job. DO BETTER NOMAD RESERVE. This experience is definitely something that will keep me from returning. I hope all staff receive some type of training; especially...

Let’s get into it.

Nomad Restaurant & Lounge delivers an upscale, mature, and sophisticated experience. From the moment you step inside, the ambiance is undeniable—grown, sexy, and effortlessly refined. The service was exceptional, with well-dressed, professional staff who ensured a seamless dining experience. The food and drinks? Absolutely top-tier. And the vibe? Immaculate. The music set the perfect tone, creating an atmosphere that felt both elevated and electric.

However, one glaring issue cast a shadow over an otherwise flawless evening—the parking situation. To put it plainly, the valet operation is unorganized and, quite frankly, predatory. Upon pulling into the parking lot—located in a shared shopping complex—there were no clear signs, cones, or indicators designating valet-only areas. Despite this, valet attendants aggressively approached vehicles, demanding payment for parking in what should be publicly accessible spaces. When questioned about non-valet options, I was met with an absurd claim: the entire lot was valet-controlled. Even after parking on the far end, near a gas station and well away from the restaurant, I witnessed the attendants harassing other patrons—going so far as to threaten police involvement. Conversations with surrounding business owners confirmed suspicions that this was a scam, as the entire parking lot is not, in fact, designated for valet use.

Nomad, you’ve mastered the dining experience, but this valet situation is a serious issue. It’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a deterrent. If you want to maintain the integrity of your brand and continue drawing in clientele who appreciate luxury and excellence, this needs to be addressed. Everything else? Flawless. But this?...