Aug 13,
2009 -
The atmosphere is bright, airy, modern, formal with
high ceilings, a wall of glass overlooking the picturesque Water Tower Park
park (above) on North Michigan Avenue (hence the name No Mi!). Clubby and cosmopolitan - the
seating the atrium area adjacent to the floor to ceiling windows is the
place to be. Bench seating against the opposign side walls looks comfortable
and cozy. The dining room is broad but somewhat shallow abutting the open
kitchen.
Atmosphere - 4.5/5
Food - Menu is French American with a
selection of seafood, beef, lamb and veggie
offering. Ala carte fare also offers some imaginative starter and salad
selections. Of the starters, the Burgundy
Truffle and Foie Gras Crème Brûlée
was a bit strange perhaps overly elegant more than practical, but tasty; the
Scallop Tarte with Manchego Sablé, Bell
Pepper, Sauce Basquaise was spectacular.
The Peekytoe Crab with Yuzu Beet Gelée
Avocado, Pickled Radish, Sunflower Seed was
equally imaginative and elegant but very tasty as well. The
Duet of Prime Beef, a
Petite Ribeye, Braised Veal Cheek, Smoked Potato in natural jus
was delicious and nicely presented in a relish bed. The smoked potato didn't
do the rest of the rest of the entree justice. The Brittany Turbot was made complete by the
Ragou of Artichoke Barigoule, Royal Trumpets,
Chanterelle Mushrooms, Sauce Bonne Femme.
The entree otherwise was underwhelming. Preparation and presentations
were elegant, even artful albeit the portions are
classic French in their diminutive size.
Food - 4.25/5.
Wine - This winelist and wine
cellar are Best of Award Wine Spectator winners and well deserved. There is
an impressive collection of classic cult selections, finest first growths
all the way to a nice selection of quality estate bottled Californians at
relatively reasonable prices (~$100). The winelist is more than 60
pages long featuring over a twelve hundred different wines from
an astonishing inventory of over ten thousand bottles - some of which are in
a classic stylish modern cellar in the ante-room adjacent to the lobby and
the bar (see pictures). There is a
nice broad and deep selection of California wines. There are representative
selections from all the major reqions with an offering from top producers from Gaja
to Grange to Harlan. There is an impressive extraordinary breadth and depth
of French Bordeaux and Burgundy. The winelist offers a modest selection of moderately fairly priced wines
with several nicely selected discoveries at reasonable value. There is also
a nice selection of half bottles and wines by the glass. Seeking a bottle in
the under $150 range I found a nice selection of several favorites and new
discoveries from which to
chose, Several I would have expected to be in that range were higher. The selection is extensive
and generally prices are reasonable, however one can easily spend several
thousands of dollars and the the median priced wine is probably over $300. See
Wine Journal Review.
Wine - 4.75/5.
Wine sommelier and Servers were
professional, friendly, patient, attentive, courteous and professional
without being the least bit overbearing or hauty.
Service - 4.5/5
Overall - NoMi was fun,
relaxing, comfortable, elegant, fine-dining without being any bit
pretentious - a worthwhile wine and
dine experience.
Wine Dine Overall Experience - 18/20. |