You’ve probably driven by Nosh dozens of times and didn’t know it was there—it’s located on a hill, off an S-curve and dip in the road. But once you sample Kim Torres’ delicious fare, you’ll never forget where it is, tucked back into 19th Street in Moore.
“I think it’s our décor; many people think we’re a furniture store until they come in,” said Kim, who started her culinary business in West Norman before moving to Moore in 2015.
“We offer a beautiful tearoom atmosphere, with hearty meals and a full event calendar for our main and private dining rooms.”
A Cleveland County native, Kim has served residents great food since her “Mr. Steak days,” a Norman restaurant staple in the 1980s. It was there the owner of Nosh first learned about going above and beyond for customers and admitting when you screw up—her goal is to provide an experience to their customers, not just a meal.
“We offer a traditional restaurant experience, but most of our business involves catering,” said Kim, who also offers heat-n’-eat meals, holiday meal packages and tea parties.
“We have become a premier catering company and proudly serve thousands at regional movie productions, military events, civic organizations, showers, dances, art activities and funerals.”
Due to COVID, and when individuals and families are not affiliated with a local faith establishment, Nosh has seen exponential growth in the comfort catering services it provides to families during the passing of a loved one. Providing seamless culinary service during a difficult time has become one of Nosh's hallmarks, allowing families and friends to spend time with one another and remember their loved ones.
Nosh comfortably seats 100, with another 36 in the glassed-in private dining area. If available, you can request to sit by the cheery fireplace, or closer to the bar area, if that’s more your style. Vintage settees, antiques, crystal chandeliers and greenery surround the restaurant, providing a very restful, relaxing, yet fancy atmosphere.
The day we visited for lunch, we opted for a pot of peach mango hot tea—you can also get it iced. The tea was smooth and subtly fruity, with cream and sugar added all around. If you order the scones, they are not hard or dense like traditional scones. The blueberry and cranberry scones were soft, warm and bursting with flavor that only enhanced the clotted cream and lemon curd that accompanied them.
The charcuterie board is a delightful addition to any meal. The hummus is flavorful and fun, but make sure you try the watermelon radishes. You can’t go wrong with tea sandwiches, but their regular sandwiches are lovely meals, and don’t get me started on their salads.
Their pot roast is eye-crossing, yummy-groaning-at-the-table good—so tender you almost don’t have to chew it. The savory gravy is more of an au jus, and beckons the mashed potatoes. I didn’t even add butter! The Parisian carrot “balls” were tender with a mild, sweet flavor that complemented the savoriness of the pot roast.
The honey does not get lost on the thick slabs of tender Honey Garlic Pork Ribeye, with a twist of garlic to keep it from being too sweet. The maple-roasted sweet potatoes were like eating the best of fall rolled into one side dish. The Chicken Bacon Mac and Cheese dish is a comfort meal for your senses. The flavors and textures swirl around in your mouth and, like the cheeses, pervade every corner of the pasta.
One of my all-time favorites, which I could eat every time I visit Nosh, is their Tuscan Chicken. The pasta has a spiral, “corduroy” feel to your tongue that holds up to the chicken breast and the thick, creamy sauce full of sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
You must try dessert if you have any room left after your meal. We had Red Velvet Cake Dots and Lemon Curd and Maraschino Cherry Pastry Cups, both of which were the “cherry” on top of a perfect lunch.
Nosh (NoshinMoore.com) is located at 200 SE 19th St. in Moore. Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; it’s closed on Monday.
In addition to the Moore location, Kim also owns Nosh on The Green, which is located at the Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma Golf Club in Norman. With a varied menu that focuses more on lighter salads, starters, sandwiches and wraps, Nosh on The Green is open to the public year-round for dine-in and take-out.