Nomz Kitchen & Pastry

Om nom nom! For those of you who spend a significant amount of time on the internet you will not be foreign to this phrase which is often used to describe the sound emitted when something is very tasty.

I would assume the new restaurant Nomz got its name from this internet slang.

When I first heard of its opening opposite the also newly opened Union Deli (both located in what previously is Harvey Nichols inside Grand Indonesia East Mall) I expected it to be a hip place, given its hip name – I was quite right.

The restaurant has a contemporary fusion food concept with modern interiors, appealing very much to the younger crowds.

We were welcomed by a display of visually appealing pastries and cakes that kept us occupied during our 15 minutes wait for a table. Nomz is headed by 26 year old Chef Arnold Poernomo, a judge in Indonesia MasterChef.

We kicked off our lunch with Nomz Chinese Style Wagyu Tartare with crispy shallots, chives, salmon roe.Uniquely served with krupuk (garlic crackers) which went surprisingly well together. However, I felt that the beef tartare itself lacked seasoning and freshness.

We then went with Nomz best-sellers for the mains (so the waiter said): Szechuan Style Crispy Duck Leg and the Nomz Crazy Rice (aka Nasi Goreng Gila).

Don’t be deceived by its charcoal burnt look, this duck was just a delicious surprise. I typically have very low expectation for duck dishes, given the difficulty to cook the protein to the right doneness.

Any longer and it will turn into a dry disappointment.

Nomz Szechuan Style Crispy Duck Leg was cooked perfectly, crisp and well-seasoned skin outside and juicy inside. Dip it in the Peking duck/hoisin sauce and eat it together with the mantou (steamed bun) and you’ll have the perfect combination.

The mango salad was a joy but the chilli, on the other hand, was an odd component in this dish.

I am pretty well-versed with local street food. Enough to feel that Nomz’ nasi goreng gila is not the taste you would normally expect when you go down and dirty to have a go at Menteng’s famous roadside nasi goreng gila. You can say that this is the fine-dining version of the roadside dish – at least the price is reflecting that at Rp110k.

The dish was a bit too wet for me, but the succulent Wagyu beef slices was a savior. You are also given the choice to top the nasi goreng gila with Foei Gras at extra cost.

We ended the meal with a too-cute-to-be-eaten éclair. A bit too late for snow flakes in January but the éclair skin was pleasantly crispy, unlike your normal choux pastry.

On the negative side, I found the rum filling a tad too strong.

Overall I would definitely come back for Nomz beautifully cooked duck leg. I found the dishes’ portions to be too small in general – or maybe I am just a glutton?

The mains typically ranges from Rp100k to R150k, which is pretty reasonable, but I was turned off the price of my Lemon Iced Tea at Rp50k. Maybe next time I’ll bring my own water bottle.

Food: |**   |          Ambience: |***  |         Price: |$$$  |

Opening hours: Everyday 11am-10pm

Location: Grand Indonesia Mall, Lantai Ground, East Mall, Jl. MH. Thamrin, Thamrin, Jakarta

Telephone: 021 23581211/1212

Posted by PrincessFiona