The Umi Nom Experience
After seeing the second post on Umi Nom over on the Clinton Hill blog, I thought that I’d better throw in my 2ยข. I mean, not for nothing, but the restaurant is actually in Bed-Stuy! It’s located in the “Kashmir” section of the neighborhood, the disputed territory between Classon and Nostrand. This is the area that is sometimes claimed by Clinton Hill, sometimes by Bed-Stuy. In any case, it is a cool area, and it just got a little cooler with the addition of Umi Nom this summer.
My colleague and I decided to celebrate the completion of a journal article we wrote by having dinner at Umi Nom. I was really excited to finally get to try out this restaurant.
The look of the restaurant is amazing. The bar is located near the front of the space and there are dining tables near the back. I liked the dark wood and exposed brick walls.
When we arrived we were first greeted by a friendly hostess, and almost immediately a waitress took us to our table. We were having dinner early in the evening, so only a few of the tables were occupied by other diners.
After we placed our orders, they served us a complimentary crab cake dumpling that was excellent! King Phojanakong, the chef and owner, presented them to us. I could’ve eaten a truckload of those things as my meal! If Umi Nom decided that they were only going to serve these bad boys, I’d be there every day. They are THAT GOOD. We started gushing over the taste and we thanked Mr. Phojanakong for his kindness.
Next came the calamari with sweet and sour sauce. I can’t say that it was the best calamari that I’d ever had (that distinction would have to go to the excellent calamari at Elizabeth), but it was good.
I ordered pad thai. Again, it was good stuff. It was simple and tasty and the presentation was superb.
My colleague had fried rice that came with chicken. He said that it was good. We ordered a couple of mango juices to wash down our meals. The mango juice was delicious!
Fruit Sorbet
The mango sorbet that we ordered for dessert really hit the spot. We shared one serving, but the flavors were so vivid that I almost wanted to order a second serving.
Overall, I’d have to say that the best thing about Umi Nom is the service and atmosphere. Our waitress was extremely attentive and friendly and the service was top notch. I love the fact that they take reservations too.
The food, on the other hand, was good, but it wasn’t what I expected. I grew up in an area where Korean food was in plentiful supply. There were quite a few Korean restaurants in my town, and a few of my friends’ mothers were Korean, so I always had easy access to this cuisine. Thanks to those early experiences, I became a fan of spicy food and decades later I still enjoy food with some kick. I’d never been to Kuma Inn (Umi Nom’s sister restaurant in Manhattan), so I didn’t have any idea what their Asian fusion would be like. For some reason I expected Umi Nom to serve up spicy dishes. I was completely wrong! Our food was not hot. At all. That’s not a bad thing, because now I know I can take my mom there the next time she comes to visit, but I also know that I can’t kill a spicy food craving at Umi Nom. I will definitely be back, because this is the type of place where I’d like to take friends when they come to visit. Next time I’ll just remember to bring along a bottle of cock sauce.
Umi Nom
433 Dekalb Avenue (near Classon Ave.)
Open Mon-Thu,Sun 6:00 pm- 10:30 pm; Fri-Sat 6:00 pm-11:00 pm
Phone: 718-789-8806
11 November 2009, 3:04 pm
I hate gerrymandering, however by all 3 currently accepted ways of measuring the borders of Bed-Stuy, this place is in no way located therein, as Bed-Stuy starts at Franklin and spreads east from there. My friend lives down the block from this place (in Clinton Hill) and it’s very close to our much-loved hood, but no cigar.
11 November 2009, 4:18 pm
What are you, a real estate agent? Look. Bed-Stuy begins at Classon. I hate gerrymandering too and that’s why Bed-Stuy begins at Classon. Case closed. Next issue.
11 November 2009, 9:54 pm
As I’ve heard some old locals say…this business about the Franklin being the border is some “new Brooklyn bullshit”. The border’s always been Classon and those who grew up around Biggie’s time will also argue that his block – St. James – was Bed-Stuy.
As for the restaurant – I haven’t been to Kuma Inn or Umi Nom. I’ve always wanted to support a fellow Filipino’s (well a halfie in the case of Chef King hehe) restaurant and I probably will SOON. In your response to your review – from what I understand the food is Asian fusion and based on the menu it’s primarily Filipino and Thai. Far from Korean food. Filipino food is definitely not spicy..more sweet, sour, and a lot of Spanish influence thrown into its sauces – thick stews. a lot of fried, and a lot of bbq.
12 November 2009, 12:06 pm
Absolutely. The border is Classon – anyone who says anything different is simply wrong.
12 November 2009, 10:26 pm
But you didn’t order anything spicy! Pad Thai and chicken fried rice aren’t spicy in regular Asian restaurants, let alone fusion ones.
And yes, it’s Classon. Forget that Franklin BS. Lafayette Gardens is even in the 36th council district.
14 November 2009, 12:22 pm
You know what? I take everything back, Andrew. This area is Clinton Hill.
On a related note, there was a shooting there yesterday:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/nyregion/14shoot.html?scp=2&sq=clinton%20hill&st=cse
White Escalade, drive-by, pregnant victim. Gotta take the good with the bad, right Andrew?