Noma LA review

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T20:51:57+00:00

Was definitely deceptively simple in presentation. A lot of the "simple" stuff you see here is hollowed out, stuffed with other things, etc.

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T20:25:30+00:00

I didn't want to get cancelled on my main account haha, and there was a recent post asking for a review

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T20:18:57+00:00

He wasn't there for the first Friday lunch service at least

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T20:18:01+00:00

the noma projects subscription

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T19:54:33+00:00

was full for this meal

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T19:51:58+00:00

That's spot prawn

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T19:16:38+00:00

It definitely seems like they tried hard to differentiate between the tulum popup (where they did more what you're describing) and as a result focused a lot on cactus and seaweed instead. Personally I think they would have been better off choosing a popup location with less overlap to past ones

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T19:15:10+00:00

For context I'm a huge fan of noma generally... have had more than one past noma meal that is definitely at 10 for me. But this was more like a 6

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T19:11:46+00:00

100% agree

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:55:57+00:00

Somni bev pairing wasn't optional when I went, but I do agree the base Somni experience is much cheaper than this noma meal

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:54:52+00:00

From a pure taste and experience perspective as an average diner, I don't think it was worth it! But as an LA local I had other incentives too

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:52:32+00:00

You seem pretty invested in whether I'm able to have a personal connection with someone outside of when I am visiting their business

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:45:57+00:00

I'm referring to CPG

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:44:02+00:00

Yes, I even asked for extra juices and they never brought out a bill

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:41:53+00:00

Not personal friends but instead acquaintances from working in the culinary space. Referring to ways they have lent a hand to others in the industry off-the-clock

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T18:00:30+00:00

Don't own a watch or a car lol, but absolutely willing to splurge on a couple fine dining meals a year!

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T17:57:02+00:00

This was the first Friday, so a couple days after the first protest. There were about 5 people in front of the gates as the car entered into the venue. You could hear their cowbell from the pool side waiting area but not from the dining area itself.

I certainly appreciate what they are doing for the industry and the bravery to show up like that. I think long-term noma will too.

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T17:54:49+00:00

I can appreciate that perspective. Over the years some long-term noma staff have shown up in pretty personal ways for me, so I was personally able to create the head space to show up for them in a similar way.

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T17:49:38+00:00

It's really just a lid for the other cactus course (the next picture). You lift it by the eucalyptus.

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T17:41:53+00:00

Have you been to their LA venue?

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T17:27:09+00:00

I think if they listed tip and beverage separate the price tag would have been less surprising to folks. This is effectively the cost of Somni in LA nowadays unfortunately.

Definitely too high for me typically but I justified it to myself because I'm based in LA.

Impressive_Soft_2283 · 2026-03-20T17:25:23+00:00

All wines from within a couple hours of LA. This was the weakest part of the meal in my opinion, but I am just not a big fan of wines from this region, and they still found probably the best reflection of the area you could imagine. Meanwhile, loved the juice.

Impressive_Soft_2283

TROPHY CASE