Nomad is located on King Street in Hillsborough and offers a global dining experience unlike anything else in the area.
B.J. Patel, co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Smita, and his brother, Sejal. “With its proximity to Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro we definitely bring in an educated palette. People are more open to different cuisines. Not just meat and potatoes. I definitely think that once they get in here and try the flavors, they’ll keep coming back.”
And there is a plethora of flavors. Patel and his brother already own and operate Viceroy in Durham, a restaurant known for its British/Indian dishes. Nomad will pay tribute to their family’s nomadic lifestyle and show appreciation for flavors and ingredients they were exposed to from their travels.
B.J. Patel said. “We take flavors from India, Korea, Thailand, South America, and Europe and infuse all the flavors with modern day dishes. It might be a Korean nacho. It could be a curried korma poutine. Our chef, R.J. St. John, is half Irish and half Korean. He knows how to give a dish a new twist.”
While the menu at Nomad will reflect the history of its owners, the location of the restaurant reflects the history of the town. Nearly 100 years ago, the building was home to the Osbunn Theatre. The exaggerated overhang at the building’s entrance is adorned with the Osbunn name. The original box office, which was found in the upstairs of the building, has been re-installed near the entrance. The original box office door has been hung again.
The Osbunn originally operated as a segregated movie theater, with white theatergoers using the lower-level seats, while the African-American audience sat in the mezzanine. When work on the building began in June 2019, the original mezzanine was considered unsafe and could not be salvaged. While new flooring and stairs have been installed, the exposed brick revealed indications of the original features, including the railing and balcony.
Nick Singh, managing partner of Nomad, said: “The history of this building, being able to dig around and expose what was here 100 years ago, it gives me a really good feeling. Knowing that we were able to revive a part of Hillsborough’s history is invigorating.”
Nomad
122 West King Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278
(984) 217-0179
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday – Friday, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Closed Sunday
