NOMAD. — Restaurant in Petoskey

When our waitperson, Emma, told us everything on the menu was designed for sharing, she wasn't kidding! Even the main meat dishes were way too much for one person. I would say that they are optimized for three people, but my wife and I tend not to gorge ourselves, so there were doggie bags.

We ordered three things. First up were the Brussels sprouts with artichokes. Brussels are all the rage in fine dining and most of the involve balsamic vinegar. It was refreshing to have them with some different ingredients. The creamy sauce was rich without being overbearing. The sprouts were cooked to the proper consistency--firm but not crunchy.

The next dish to be served was the Pork Shank, which I ordered as my main. I love lamb shanks. This shank was similarly tender and beautifully slow cooked. It was served with a white bean chipote mash and some flour tortillas. This was topped with pickled red onions. The mash had a slight hint of heat. I would have liked more. I would have also liked more of the pickled onions. There weren't enough for every bite, but the bites I had with them were the best. The little tacos I made were divine. This dish is highly recommended.

Shortly after the pork arrived, my wife's salmon was served. I'm allergic to fish, so this is her review. She said the fish was properly cooked. The marinade tenderized the fish and allowed the flavor to permeate throughout. The carrots were tasty, but more of a garnish than a vegetable part of the dish. More would have been nice. As you can see from the pic, there is more fish there than one person should eat. We recommend sharing for sure on this plate. She will make three meals of it.

Emma was great! She was cheerful and prompt without being obtrusive. She also demonstrated good knowledge of the food, which is always appreciated. The rest of the staff were also very friendly and welcoming. The decor is modern and has that louder vibe that many modern restaurants go for. We tend not to like it too loud. Maybe they suspected as much because they sat us away from the bar, which was the main source of...

Nomad is an amazing and unexpected find, even in a toney out-of-the-way seaside resort community like Bay Harbor.

While it is decidedly relaxed and informal, with incredibly attentive staff, the real surprise is the food quality and intriguingly sophisticated menu. And importantly, it is served without pretense.

Having travelled globally to some of the finest restaurants in the world, I can say without qualification, that Nomads has among the tastiest menus to be found anywhere, similar to what you’d expect to find in a 3 star Michelin restaurant.

We enjoyed flawlessly prepared black cod, truffle fries in duck fat, mashed potatoes seeped in butter (with skins), and here’s the topper:

A legitimate Wagyu hamburger on a toasted brioche bun, with a generous slice of goose liver foie gras, on top of a luscious warm braised onion compote, combined to make such a delicious meal that I’ve been thinking about it, no, actually obsessing about it, ever since.

One cautionary note: it is not cheap fare. I almost fainted when first seeing the price tag of $300 USD for the burger. In all of my travel experience, I’d never seen such a thing. However, upon closer inspection, I noted that it included apparently a decent bottle of wine to go with it.

Fortunately for my wallet, being a teetotaler, I asked if I could get the burger without the wine, and what would that cost? An easy to tolerate $50 was the thoughtful answer. No problem!

Given the tastiness and quality of the food and the optimal service, for this one item alone, I’d call it a bargain!

That was last week. We’re going back again tomorrow.

I hope you’ll take a moment to splurge and treat yourself and someone you love to this...

Phenomenal evening- 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. If you’re looking for a dining experience that offers an array of cuisines - look no further. You will be glad you tried Nomads. We had such a nice evening.

Chef Jefferey and Chef Jeff - offer a delicious menu of shareable plates that were beyond our expectations. The menu changes frequently so look forward to new dishes. Our table shared the Cashew Halibut- the Cajun cashews was so flavorful, Garlic Chicken- melt in your mouth tender, Nashville Hot Chicken Boa- crispy and the pickle slaw added the zip, buffalo chicken lollipops- hot honey sweetness … our table favorite was the Sticky Ribs! Delicious! Delicious! Fall off the bones- yum pickled vegetables.

A relaxing atmosphere, staff members were personal and attentive, dinning area was welcoming. The outside patio area has a gorgeous view. Sitting area with a fireplace. They offer a full bar- signature drinks, check out the wine list.

Make sure you save room for dessert. The sweet potato gelato with pralines was scrumptious! Each entree exceeded our exceptions in flavor and highlighted the star of the dish. Nomads is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to dine. Thank You Bryan, GM, for ensuring that our dining experience was...