Umi Nom

Umi Nom Restaurant Review:

From the proprietors of the Lower East Side’s Kuma Inn, Umi Nom is a pioneering restaurant. Not necessarily in the food sense, but in regard to its location, as it’s strategically located in a part of Fort Greene that’s lacking upscale eateries. That’s not to say that the food falls flat, but Umi Nom is clearly aiming for a neighborhood clientele over brave visitors from the borough of Manhattan. The narrow space, with brick walls, shiny wooden tables and green accents, keeps the restaurant from feeling too overpoweringly dark. The food is similarly light and adventurous. One bonus is the wealth of Filipino dishes, like manila clams in a spicy black bean sauce, and the grilled pork and beef patties with house-made pickles. Special attention should also be paid to the noodles, especially the pancit canton, made with egg noodles, sausage and chicken. Other dishes worth a try include chili glazed wok prawns; grilled marinated pork chops with lemon grass and garlic; and shrimp pad thai. Though the kitchen has the occasional snafu, including a tendency to overcook anything with beef, Umi Nom has staying power.