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MELBOURNE | Nomada Cafe y Tapas Fitzroy is an all-day tapas spot that’s housed where Hammer & Tong used to be and sees Jesse Gerner (Anada, Bomba, Green Park), Jesse McTavish (Kettle Black), Michael Burr (Bomba), Greg McFarland (ex-chef at The Kettle Black) and Shane Barrett (Samuel Pepys) teaming up to bring all day tapas to Melbourne.
We’re fans of all of the venues that these guys have been involved with, and rate Anada especially as one of our favourite go-to spots for Spanish food in Melbourne, so needless to say we were quite excited when invited to the launch to see what the team had managed to put together. The short answer, is that it’s as good as you’d expect. The 50 seat bar features and open kitchen and bar, with four distinct spaces for diners – there’s the big table to the side of the bar, smaller tables across from the bar, more tables at the back next to the kitchen, and a little courtyard with retractable roof out the back. It’s a welcoming, cozy space, that captures the feel of what the team are trying to achieve.
Food wise, and the tapas in informed not just by Gerner’s many visits to Spain, but also by McTavish’s experiences on coastal surf adventures. Dehydration, curing and fermenting are all part of the game here. Charcuterie is a great way to start day or night, and paves the way for dishes that are simple and delicious, with a focus on the quality produce. Ceviche is vacuum cured to order, while locally caught Anchovies and sardines are house cured. Lamb is beautifully cooked and served with padron peppers and paprika salt, while the clacked egg on hay is a must try any time of the day. And yes, there are churros.
Drinks wise its all about aperitifs, old and new world wines, a few beers and cocktails, and of course sherry. We highly recommend trying the specially imported white vermut, served simply over ice with a bit of fresh lemon. If you’re here for breakfast and the idea of a boozy start to the day isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there are juices, teas and mocktails, along with locally roasted Capital coffee brewed using a La Marzocco epsresso machine, will set you on the right track.
We love what the team are doing at Nomada, and there are already plans to do more – Gerner told us that the roof of the venue has at least as much space as the ground level and, council permits and neighbours permitting, there will be a rooftop bar open in time for the summer. ¡Salud!
*Edit 18 December 2017 – Nomada no longer serves breakfast and midweek lunch*
Nomada Cafe y Tapas
412 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy
Victoria 3065
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9416 4102
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Wed – Fri: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm to 10:00pm