Nômade in Westport only opened three years ago, but it has become an integral part of the Westport dining scene. That’s in no small part thanks to owner Patrick Jean, who began his career in the restaurant industry as a teen in his native France. “The first time I went to a fancy restaurant, I was impressed by everything. I told my mom ‘that’s what I want to do. I want to be in a restaurant,’” he says. He’s worked in dining ever since.
He came to the U.S. in 1995, and ended up in Westport two years later, working at a bistro downtown. He met his then-business partner and the two opened Saint Tropez Bistro in Fairfield, followed by O Bar in 2001. O Bar was the first martini bar of its kind in Fairfield, and a huge success. From there, Patrick worked at a string of other restaurants across Fairfield County, until the location that would become Nômade opened up. Ciara Webster contacted Patrick and they went to look at the space. "I couldn’t let the opportunity to be an owner again pass me by, and we decided to open Nômade," says Patrick.
Patrick and Ciara became business partners and began concepting what they wanted their restaurant to be— Patrick really wanted a Mediterranean concept and Ciara loved Asian food. Ciara took on a huge research project to fuse the two cuisines and create the around-the-world menu the restaurant would launch with. The eclectic menu also inspired the name, Nômade. “The menu goes from place to place— it’s a world traveler,” he says. Their chef, Zoli, loved the idea, and became a partner in the business as well.
The next step for Nômade was to have the interior of the restaurant reflect that same globetrotter ethos.”I wanted it to look like a vacation,” says Patrick about the initial ideas for the vibe in the space. Ciara has a strong eye for interiorsand she began sourcing pieces from Africa, where she was born, to give the restaurant a global feeling. The design also included a nod to Patrick’s beloved, now defunct O Bar-- the lounge are over by the bar where guests enter was something from O Bar that he specifically wanted to recreate in the new space. They focused on making the interior of the restaurant light (think blonde woods and earth tones) bright (they added a ton of front-facing windows to offer views of Main Street) and green (they’ve been recognized by the town for their commitment to solar energy and eco-friendly design). They also added their convertible patio, which offers outdoor seating in the summer months, can be enclosed in the winter, and includes a larger bar area for watching games or late-night drinks. “We wanted to create two bars- one more relaxing, and one for sports, TV, and music,” Patrick says. The space offers so many types of environments, and was just what Westport needed.
When Nômade officially opened in 2022, customers loved everything— especially Ciara’s design choices. “I love the warmness and the welcomeness and the energy here,” Patrick says. “Each time I look at the details I think: everything is beautiful.” He’s not alone-- diners are constantly asking if they can purchase the décor. “I’ve had so many people asking: where can I get the glasses, can I buy them from you?” says Patrick. And while they sadly can’t sell items from the restaurant floor, Ciara did their customers one better— she teamed up with Ciara Connolly to open a store just down the block, Nômade Design, earlier this year. At Nômade Design, they sell many of the exact items used inside Nômade, including plates, flatware, glasses and more, as well as other pieces with a similar style. “I wasn’t surprised when people loved the decor at Nômade— I love the decor!,” Ciara Webster says. “But the reaction was even better than I thought. I think the store will bring something unique to Westport, because I’ve traveled so much and can bring in all those influences.”
In addition to the kitchenware used at the restaurant, Nômade Design offers clothing, furniture, and even lab-grown diamonds. Everything is sourced (no reproductions!).
“It’s all really special,” says Ciara.
To make reservations at Nômade, call 203-577-9577. To shop Nômade Design for the look in your own home, visit the boutique at 190 Main Street or call 203-293-4010.