“Got me like oh my god…”
This past February, famed Chef Patricia Yeo took the helm at Om Restaurant and Lounge's kitchens and rehauled the menus. Having been a fan of Patricia’s since her days in NYC at Sapa (where I was a regular due to yummy seafood dishes, unpretentious atmosphere, and its close proximity to my apartment), I was excited to see what she could bring to the table when I revisited Om last week during a media luncheon to showcase its new offerings.
I started out with a highly refreshing and tangy lychee and muddled lime mocktail (on the left), which right off the bat put me into a good mood. As the appetizers started arriving at our table, I could already tell that things had changed for the better since Patricia’s arrival.
Gone were the unmemorable and blandish dished that never quite fit with the Asian-themed Om; in its place now stood actual Asian dishes inspired by Chef Yeo’s travels to the East (as well as her own Asian culture). I recommend the Miso Glazed Copper River Salmon garnished with bean sprouts, cucumbers, and jicama – clean, refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day.
For my entrée, I had a fantastic Tuna Confit served with flatbread and topped with a Lemon Caper dressing. Duck is the more popular type of confit on menus, so I thought serving tuna confit was quite intriguing and creative. The tuna was super flavorful and its lightness was a perfect match to the soft and fluffy flatbread.
After lunch, Patricia came out of the kitchen to chat with us and answer any questions we had about the menu. During our conversation, I saw that not only was Chef Yeo a funny / sarcastic jokester (at first glance, I thought she would be quite stern and intense), she also proved to be incredibly knowledgeable about the ingredients (and where they were sourced) used in the dishes.
So no qualms about it -- second time is really a charm! Looks like I know where I'll be going next time I trapeze across the river!
Om Restaurant and Lounge
92 Winthrop Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 576-2800
