When I get several e-mails regarding a particular restaurant – especially when inquiring as to whether or not I have tried it – I always try to push that particular venue towards the top of my places-to-try list. Such was the case after receiving a number of e-mails asking me what I thought about Nosh Restaurant. What could I say, other than the fact that I had not yet visited, but planned to. Which I had. And so I went.
Latin-Influenced Menu Descriptions

Nosh occupies a building that some might say is out of the way. I would disagree, as I think it is quite accessible and easy to find. The venue is located just around the corner from the Post Office in, east of Third Street and on the north side of James in an old industrial shop. The building was actually once a garage (for working on cars) if my memory serves me correctly. The inside brick and beam structure has been well preserved, cleaned and redone, the ductwork adding to the simple and nouveau-urban feel.
The mauve-green colored tables are austere, topped only by salt and pepper shakers, napkin-wrapped silverware, a dish of jams/jellies, and a cup of colored pencils. A large carafe of ice-water and glasses of ice water are brought when diners are seated at their tables in the brightly illuminated dining room. Sunlight streams from the large and arched windows on the south side. The north wall is painted a deep and vibrant reddish-pink and adorned with a huge iron clock, complimenting the eclectic and Latin-influenced menu descriptions.
Taste Me!
Upon entering Nosh, one is greeted by a curving counter top and swiveling bar stools, reminiscent of the era of the diner. We were seated at a table against the north wall, and almost immediately approached by our waiter, nicely dressed and polite, asking if we would like a cocktail. This is a sort of unique offering for a breakfast/lunch establishment – the possibility of a cocktail that is. And while many might say that alcohol in the morning is uncalled for, the occasional celebratory Mimosa or Bloody Mary is a nicely added touch to a special meal.
Lauren decided to try a Purple Haze (a concoction consisting of vodka and pomegranate juice) while I selected a zesty eye-opener with tequila, mango juice and a splash of grenadine (I forgot the name…). It took us a while to sift through the unique menu Items. They were well-described and all of them called out: “Taste me!”
Breakfast Choices
On this trip – our second – we chose the Brunch Burrito (scrambled eggs, vegetarian beans, avocado cream cheese and chipotle vinaigrette, served with choice of house potatoes – $7.99 or add avocado, chorizo or bacon for $8.99) and the Migas de pan Caliente de Puerco (a Spanish breakfast skillet with three eggs and house-made croutons with bacon, Spanish chorizo, prosciutto, garlic, caramelized onions and drizzled balsamic reduction — $7.99).
Fun, unique, hip, urban, trendy, original and perhaps even kitschy (in a very positive sense) easily describe Nosh, the restaurant that has taken its name from a scene in a Seinfeld episode. (The Yiddish nashn, from Middle High German “naschen” means “to eat on the sly”… Nosh also means “to eat a light snack“). The prices at Nosh are reasonable and the menu is full of great entrees – lots of egg offerings, French toast, pancakes, sandwiches and salads – for both breakfast and lunch. And, there is the added availability to serve alcohol, giving the unique venue a leg-up on the other breakfast locations in the area.
Mixed Emotions
My over-vinegared ‘de Puerco (although the reduction was drizzled around the plate, the entire entrée tasted like vinegar… was it supposed to?) was not quite like the mental picture created by the menu description. I thought it would come in a skillet but it came as sort of an unmolded cylinder, contained an overabundance of croutons and was not very hot when it was served. Lauren’s breakfast was also not hot. The burrito was served without sauce and was a bit dry.
Perhaps I just made a poor choice or maybe the ‘de Puerco dish was not one of Nosh’s fortes. It was, however, listed as a Nosh Signature Dish. I have previously tried Eggs Benedict and an Omelet and those were OK… Great-tasting House Potatoes (Yukon Gold and Baby Reds) accompany many of the entrees and can also be ordered a-la-carte. Another nice touch is the availability of fresh-squeezed juices.
I have mixed emotions for Nosh. I very much like the feel of the place, the menu selections and descriptions. The prices are reasonable. Our waiter was dressed appropriately and was very attentive. Other servers wore jeans and t-shirts… As I have said on many occasions, the devil is in the details, and I would like to see a bit more attention paid to the details at Nosh – particularly plating and plate presentation – because I believe this new addition to Geneva’s list of restaurants has the potential to blow its competition away. I give it Three Zins and recommend that you give it a try.
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
Nosh is now located at 22 N Third St in Geneva, IL.