FOODIE
Enticing Continental North Of Main
By Luann & Marcus foodie@longislandernews.com

Tenants in Huntington village may change with the blink of an eye, but we’re not complaining – it brought Noma restaurant to the Foodies.

Nestled on Gerard Street across from the Post Office, Noma took over for the former Indigo with the new year under owner Frank Bruno, who was walking from table to table pouring wine for patrons the night of our visit, and chef/owner Joseph Tomasino, who ran the kitchen at Piccolo for seven years. Bruno’s family owns neighboring village haunt Christopher’s Courtyard Café, and Bruno worked behind the bar for 14 years, picking up the tricks of the trade.

Boasting valet parking on Fridays and Saturday nights – a gem of a convenience for visitors to the bustling village – Noma features prix fixe meals every day for $29.95 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., as well as specials most nights. Tuesday is wine night, where bottles are half-price, and Thursday is ladies night with half-price drinks. Brunch is served on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

The atmosphere is sophisticated and trendy, the dining room long and slick. White tablecloths and black napkins adorn the tables. The wine colored walls seem to evoke an Italian influence, while the low-hanging lamps and partition in the back are more Asian in style.

The menu echoes Noma’s décor, drawing foods from a variety of backgrounds. From house-made pasta to sushi, the menu plays on continental and new American and covers all the bases – salads, a raw bar, Italian fare, meats and sandwiches; choosing from the menu was virtually impossible, it all looked so good.

Tomasino wowed us right from the start with a creative spin on Clams “Casino” ($12). Plump, juicy and tender, the clams are batter dipped, yet greaseless, and come topped with thinly sliced proscuitto and roasted pepper aioli. The slight spice of the pepper coupled with the greaseless crunch of the batter got our taste buds revved up for more as we looked eagerly in the direction of the kitchen.

Next out the doors came a pair of sushi rolls, one with oyster and one with tuna. As impressed with its presentation as we were, it was the taste and texture that really sealed the deal for us. The Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll ($13) comes stuffed with avocado and cooling seaweed salad and topped with spicy mayo and crispy, airy flakes. The Crispy Oyster Roll ($14) has prosciutto inside, a fine complement to the oyster, and is topped with truffle aioli, which provides the slightest hint of mushroom flavor. We were so taken with the inventive sushi that we practically forgot about the soy sauce and wasabi that came alongside it and went back and forth on which we liked better.
Showing a more playful side of the kitchen, Meatball Sliders ($13) were brought out next. An upscale version of meatball parmigiana, these sliders come on a bun atop a layer of Fontina cheese and light but robust roasted tomato.

A house-made Short Rib Agnolotti ($20) was one of the standout dishes of the night. Ravioli-like pasta stuffed with shredded, most tender short ribs, the agnolotti sits in a heavenly truffle cream sauce and is topped with wild mushrooms and sliced parmesan. Separately each component was heavenly; together, they were cosmic.
Before moving on to our entrées, we enjoyed a delightfully refreshing mango sorbet. Served between the appetizers and the entrées, the sorbet cleanses the palate and refreshes the appetite.

Refreshed by an in-between course mango sorbet, we delighted at the entrées placed before us: Pan Seared Diver Sea Scallops ($26) and Braised Beef Short Ribs ($25). The tender, juicy scallops come cooked just enough throughout, not dry in the slightest, and are served over a wild mushroom risotto that we could have eaten with every meal. The beef was so tender we could cut it with a spoon; it comes with a pleasant array of roasted vegetables and spaetzle.

Keeping with the course of the evening, dessert did not disappoint. Affogato Al Caffe ($9) is a satisfying way to end the meal: a scoop of vanilla gelato in espresso served alongside biscotti and nuts. Give the gelato a chance to melt in the espresso and you’ve got yourself one sweet treat. If however, like us, you are a fan of the hazelnut spread known as Nutella, opt for the dessert with banana and Nutella ($9) served warm and rolled inside a crispy pastry roll.

With an attentive and knowledgeable staff, a sophisticated but comfortable atmosphere, the potential for a Deejay coming in the fall, and its refreshingly new and quality cuisine, Noma is a Huntington destination worth a trip. Reservations can be made easily online. We will sure be back – the brunch menu is enticing.

Noma
70 Gerard St.
Huntington
631-923-1570
http://www.nomarestaurant.com/

Cuisine: Continental,
new American

Atmosphere: Modern,
sophisticated, eclectic

Hours: Lunch and dinner
Tuesday - Saturday,
brunch and dinner Sunday;
closed Mondays

Main Menu