November 26, 2016

NoMad Bar - Wylie Dufresne Guest Spot

Regular readers of this blog will know that I was a huge fan of WD~50 before it closed its doors in November 2014. Wylie Dufresne has since remained active in the NYC food scene, however, and one such partnership occurred in 2016 when he guest-stinted at the NoMad Bar, serving a limited-time menu consisting of some of his most famous dishes. 



The always-awesome bird's eye view of the bar area from up on the balcony. It's a lot of fun to watch the amazing pros behind the bar at work. 




Coq-tail for Two
Absolut Elyx Vodka, Chambéry Blanc Vermouth, Green Apple, Apricot Liqueur, Yuzu, Nori, Tarragon

This delightful cocktail was served in an ice-cold copper vessel shaped like a "coq" (rooster), with two copper straws slotted into its back. The cocktail itself was light and refreshing, and came with two little additional shots served in quail eggs.


Eggs Benedict
Egg Yolk, Canadian Bacon, Fried Hollandaise

This was arguably WD~50's most iconic dish, and with good reason, as it put eggs, Wylie's favorite food, at the forefront. We never got to eat it at the restaurant while it was open, but it was true to form here and every bit as wild and delicious as I had always imagined. 

Eater did a fantastic article on this particular dish a few years back:
https://www.eater.com/2015/1/14/7533485/wd50-eggs-benedict-wylie-dufresne-eater-elements


Pigs In Blankets
Chinese Sausage, Compressed Hot Dog Buns, Japanese Mustard, Sweet Chili Sauce

This dish actually first appeared on the menu at Wylie's short-lived pub concept, Alder. It may not have had the history of the eggs benedict, but it was still delicious. 


Carrot Tartare
Quail Egg, Sunflower Seeds, Rye Crisps

Not a WD~50 dish of course, but we order this NoMad Bar classic every time we eat there - I maintain that it's the best thing on the menu. 


Humm Dog
Bacon-Wrapped, Black Truffle, Celery, Gruyère

Another NoMad Bar favorite of ours, though I was surprised that the excellent Wylie Dog (topped with deep-fried mayo breaded in hot dog bun crumbs) offered at PDT was not on the menu in its place. 


Rye Pasta
Shaved Pastrami, Pastrami Jerky Dust, Green Tomatoes, Mustard Sauce

This (relatively) straightforward dish, also from the menu at Alder, was our favorite of the night - all the flavors of a classic Jewish deli sandwich in one hearty, satisfying bowl of pasta. 



Burger & Fries

NoMad Bar's excellent cheeseburger and french fries, with assorted pickles and condiments. 


????

I actually have no notes for this meal, so everything I've written up to this point has been via memory or online research. This dessert I have minimal recollection of, however - I THINK it was a passion fruit panna cotta with shortbread biscuits.