Interior of Nomé restaurant. (Photo Credit: Noah Fecks).
It’s not often that you meet a restaurateur who has a double major in psychology and enjoyed success in the fashion industry. But Naftali Abenaim is that person. He is launching Nomé. With other restaurants already under his belt, like Mocha Bleu, he notes that specifically those two experiences readied him for his current career. First, let’s face it, as Jews we are an eclectic clientele. His psychology background helps him navigate within this area. In fashion, a hustle and bustle environment was always at play, similar to the restaurant business which is always in motion. It’s the end of the conversation, though, that made a real imprint and gives a perspective on how to approach the current war in Israel.
Location and Ambience
Nestled below Union Square, at 127 4th Avenue, New York, NY, the new restaurant is in a voguish area. It mixes French sophistication with Nikkei cuisine. Nikkei is Japanese Peruvian cuisine. Many Japanese immigrated to Peru and created new dishes. The new space includes hand-drawn murals that celebrate Japanese and Peruvian culture.
A Menu Sampling
One option is Prime Cowboy Steak. (Photo Credit: Noah Fecks.)
Entrees are diverse. Choices include Grilled Butterfly Branzino, Healthy Yakijake Steelhead Trout Filet cooked over charcoal, and a vast selection of prime, grass-fed, hormone/antibiotic-free, beef. Additional highlights include Chef’s award-winning Le Cabernet Prime Burger, a blend sourced from 2 countries and 4 different parts of the animal, and carefully developed over 9 months of research. Nomé is also offering a Jurassic Hawk – a 50oz cut of prime beef, and a Private Collection Cut of Ribeye Cap, available on a first-come first-serve basis.
A Final Conversation Giving Perspective on the Current War
“God is with me; I am not afraid” (Psalms 118:6).
At the end of our conversation, I asked him about the postscript on his email that says, “God is with me; I am not afraid” (King David/Psalms 118:6). He appreciated the question and told me the story behind it. He said that he once attended the Park East Synagogue led by Rabbi Arthur Schneier. Rabbi Schneier, a very well-connected rabbi who is close with many world leaders, said in one of his sermons, in regard to an Israeli war that was taking place at the time, with a question of whether the U.S. would support Israel or not, that the situation rests in the hands of G-d. He quoted the verse, “God is with me; I am not afraid” (Psalms 118:6), and this is the philosophy that Abenhaim lives by. It gives great chizuk to know that a rabbi with such high connections sees that our victory is dependent on G-d, and not politicians or based on a determination of whether the U.S. will help us or not.