NoMad Library

Fine Dining For The Book Lover In Las Vegas

*A little disclaimer: Voiceover will be added in two weeks. I have back to back work travel, so audio will be included at a later time. Thanks friends and happy eating reading! 😅

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Situated in a relatively quiet hallway between Park MGM and the luxurious NoMad Hotel lies two rooms on each side of a corridor with simple signage: NoMad Library and NoMad Bar. My husband Jacob and I checked in with two friendly hosts standing behind a simple podium in an unassuming entryway connected to that humble hallway. Even the air seemed to boast nothing much to see here. We were soon led to tightly shut black velvet curtains—and then magic. 

One swift draw of the curtain revealed a two-story room that took my breath away. There were packed bookshelves lining floor to ceiling, big red leather booths, tiered chandeliers, a spiral staircase and a bar that glittered and invited you to indulge. And yes—the books were real (trust me I immediately checked). If there is a restaurant in heaven, it might just be NoMad Library. 

The Stunning Dining Room at NoMad Library in Las Vegas, NV

Our meal began with complimentary Gruyère Popovers while we perused the wine menu. These little morsels of scrumptiousness were flakey and hollow, delicately cheesy and salty. The simple act of serving homemade popovers instead of bread immediately won me over. Between the aesthetic overload and welcoming touches, the halo effect was fully enabled. 

Gruyère Popovers and the face I make when I eat Gruyère Popovers.

One expects a lot from a Las Vegas restaurant. It’s not just a meal: It’s a spectacle. We want noodles pulled fresh at the table, a $777 burger with 100-year aged balsamic, and seafood towers so tall that they clink against the chandeliers. Trite, but true: We want our meals to be as fabulous as Siegfried and Roy—white tiger and all. So to say that NoMad Library met these highest of expectations within the first 15 minutes of our meal is no small feat. And to our great pleasure, the food, service, and experience continued to wow. Here are the highlights:

• We kicked things off with the fried artichoke appetizer. The artichokes were crispy, thin and delicate and held their own against a thick, almost bouncy lemon herb cheese dip. I found it easier to spread the cheese than dip, but once topped with a little squeeze of lemon, each bite came to life. Yum. 

Fried Artichokes at NoMad Library in Las Vegas, NV

• Entrée selection was a difficult choice as everything sounded phenomenal. We opted for one of the house specialties which serve two guests each. Amidst a list of temptations, the American Wagyu prime rib spoke to us and we acquiesced. The steak was crusted in porcini and black garlic then thinly sliced revealing just enough marbling to deliver sumptuous flavor without feeling gelatinous or fatty. What made this dish for me was the deep umami-packed bordelaise sauce that enhanced every note and paired perfectly with our glasses of red wine. It was served with pommes aligot  aka cheesy mashed potatoes, but we opted for a couple more side dishes to round out the meal.

American Wagyu Prime Rib at NoMad Library in Las Vegas, NV

Still Dreaming of this Meal at NoMad Library in Las Vegas, NV

• Brussels sprouts provided some much needed green on our table. They were tossed in a mustard Parmesan sauce and topped with more cheese. As a long-time mustard skeptic, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed these.

  

  Brussels Sprouts at NoMad Library in Las Vegas, NV

• And last but not least—the Ridiculous Mac & Cheese.  A black truffle and lobster macaroni and cheese? Always a must-order. I consider myself a lobster mac connoisseur and I’d put this in my top two favorites of all time.¹ The Mac was perfectly broiled giving the top of the dish a crispy texture, then creamy as can be inside with full chunks of juicy lobster. Unearthing fully intact claw meat throughout the dish (rather than just perched atop for garnish) filled me with a nearly sinful pleasure.

Ridiculous Mac & Cheese at NoMad Library in Las Vegas, NV

My only disappointment of the night is that we were too full to have dessert. This is not hyperbole: We stuffed ourselves silly and could not eat another bite. The food itself was confident and straightforward. Small twists here and there, but ultimately NoMad Library delivers American standards executed to the highest quality. The spectacle is in the environment, the heart is in the food. No celebrity chef on the marquee and yet this was truly one of the best meals that I have ever eaten. 

In 2021, I spent my birthday in lockdown with a five-month-old. In 2022, I was 8 months pregnant with my second. In 2023, my one wish was to have a birthday dinner out of the house with Jake. Instead, the entire family had COVID. In 2024, I finally had my birthday date at NoMad Library. One meal can mean so much to a person. Thank you NoMad Library. Las Vegas: I’ll be back. 

Gruyère Popovers, Wagyu Prime Rib, and Ridiculous Mac.

Ergo Yum. 

1. My other contender for top lobster mac & cheese would be Orange Hill Restaurant in Orange, California. Go for the stunning view, stay for the lobster mac. If you have any recommendations for other contenders, let me know in the comments!