March 2020, we announced in this section the “next” opening of Nomi, a project of the A5 group and more particularly of the team behind the popular Jatoba and Flyjin. Almost three years later, for the usual reasons, this new address located near Phillips Square is finally opening.
The wait will have been worth it. The place, of 4500 ft2 and 120 seats, which bears the signature of Sid Lee Architecture, is magnificent! Inspired by sunken living rooms (built-in lounges), which the architect Franck Lloyd Wright popularized in the 1960s and 1970s, the place offers a cozy atmosphere, but with a little electric je-ne-sais-quoi, thanks among other things to the marriage of materials such as leather, brass, wood and chrome, enhanced by a deep caviar blue that adorns the walls and floors. Some original elements of the building that once housed the Greek National Bank of Canada are highlighted, such as the superb spiral staircase that leads to the lower level, where there are five private rooms and the kitchen.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Nomi is a Japanese refreshment bar.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The magnificent original spiral staircase has been preserved.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
An Asian variation around the Caesar salad, where fried wonton replaces croutons.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Olivier Vigneaut is the executive chef.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
A few sashimi find their place on the menu, including this one with hamachi, truffle ponzu sauce, marinated jalapenos and truffled peach.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
A decomposed dry martini, to be recomposed according to your desires.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The wine and sake list is signed by Félix Desmarteaux, sommelier at Jatoba.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Rémi Lemieux is the chef here.
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PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
The design is inspired by the trend of sunken living rooms.
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Upstairs, a central bar invites you to have an aperitif. Cocktails are unquestionably the star of the liquid menu. The menu is the work of Daphnée Vary, formerly at Foxy and now director of the drinks section for the A5 group. Its menu, inspired by classics where every detail is polished, ranges from the elegant Dry Martini to assemble yourself with various garnishes, including Japanese-style pickled cucumbers, to Ju-Ju 75, a convincing exploration around the French 75, where bathed in the bottom an umeboshi plum.
Executive chef Olivier Vigneault wanted to offer a different experience from the chic table of Jatoba and the superclub what is the Flyjin. He defines Nomi as an izakaya, where to stop and drink one or a few cocktails, while happily drawing from the affordable menu made up of small dishes typical of these places with interesting creative touches that raise them above the fray, thanks the combined work of the chef and Rémi Lemieux (Au Pied de Cochon, Le Norest), who is acting as head chef here. Think buttermilk karaage chicken, crispy tofu sprinkled with dried pulled pork served with dragon sauce, “ruffles” chips and their avocado, jalapenos and yuzu dip or even an Asian variation around the Caesar salad, where fried wontons replace croutons!
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
1170 Place du Frère-André, Montreal