You’ve eaten the amazing French cuisine at Laurel, fallen in love with exotic Grecian flavors of Kanella, and, let’s face it, you live in Philadelphia – you’re no stranger to Italian food. If you’re ready to expand your palette and venture a bit northward, experience a taste of Northern Europe at one of Passyunk Square’s best restaurants.
Noord – the Dutch word for “North” – is consistently delightful. While the name might seem a bit odd sans explanation, you’d probably now concur that it’s quite a fitting name for a restaurant serving uniquely Dutch cuisine built upon the flavors of Northern Europe.
Chef and Owner Joncarl Lachman opened the Passyunk Square BYOB in May 2013 and, more than two years later, Noord has become a Philadelphia hotspot known for its delicious dishes and cozy-casual atmosphere. Lachman’s own heritage inspired the menu that focuses primarily on Dutch and also Scandinavian cuisine. Traditionally maintaining a simple listing of ingredients, both flavor profiles meld to create a unique dining experience you won’t find anywhere else in the City of Brotherly Love.
Lachman’s background is rather unconventional: the Philly native visited 33 countries before his 30th birthday and didn’t even attend culinary school until age 38!
A graduate of New York City’s Institute of Culinary Education, he was named the winner of the inaugural “San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef” in 2002. Working under chefs like Nora Pouillon of D.C.’s Restaurant Nora (America’s first certified organic restaurant) and Anne Rosenzweig of Inside, Arcadia, and Lobster Club in NYC, Lachman received plenty of experience under his belt before returning to Philadelphia.
Whenever possible, the kitchen prepares dishes utilizing locally farmed produce and meats while making all fresh baked breads and desserts in-house. They also smoke and cure their own in-house specialties that are featured on their daily smorrebrod – a dish that combines a variety of house-smoked fish and open-faced sandwiches.
On my latest visit, I ordered some of my favorite dishes:
I wouldn’t recommend visiting Noord without trying the Bitterballen; its crispy outer shell encases a delicious nutmeg-y pork center. The green salad and tangy mustard lighten up the otherwise hearty meatball dish.
Another favorite is the sautéed diver scallop. It’s perfectly seared, served with a generous portion of mustard soup, and then sprinkled with a garnish of salty, red caviar and fried rye croutons.
You don’t even have to like escargot to love this dish. The roasted grape tomatoes, soft roasted garlic cloves, and citrus flavor combine for a flavorful pairing that is well balanced and absolutely delicious.
If you’re lucky – and we can’t make any promises – try the soft shell crab special. The crispy fried crustacean is drizzled with an old bay tartar sauce and served on a salad of pickled watermelon rind, slices of melon, and feta.
Check out the full menu here, but don’t let the foreign names intimidate you. Noord’s staff is consistently friendly, knowledgeable, and very willing to point you in the most authentic direction.
Stay tuned for Lachman’s newest restaurant set to open in the very near future: Neuf. The North African bistro will open its doors in the Italian Market neighborhood, and Philly PR Girl will be there to give you the inside scoop!
