Northern Poutine — Nomad Kitchen

We seem to be living in an age where everything that’s old is new again. For proof, look no further than your local cinema, where almost every other film is a “reimagined” take on some cinematic chestnut. One look at the marquee makes you wonder just how long it will be before we’re going to be treated to an urban, gritty remake of “Singin’ in the Rain” starring Channing Tatum.

Restaurants are following suit, taking classic dishes and putting modern twists on them. But some, like myself, still prefer the classics. Whether we’re talking food or film, a flashy new version isn’t always necessary. The classics are classic for a reason.

The Nomad Kitchen inside the Avenue Café respects those of us with a more traditionalist palette with its Northern Poutine. For those not familiar with the Canadian favorite, poutine is typically a mountain of fries topped with cheese curds and covered in gravy. Nomad Kitchen embraces the recipe’s simplicity and delivers a generous portion of the gooey concoction prepared to absolute perfection — all for a mere $6.

That’s not say Nomad’s chef, Rick Sauer, ties himself completely to tradition. The kitchen also offers up a variety of other versions of poutine, ranging from a Western Poutine featuring bacon jam and bourbon pickled jalapeños to a vegan Eastern Poutine featuring kimchi and Nomad sauce, a creamy and savory house-made spread. The traditionalist in me begrudgingly admits that both of these inventive versions are excellent.

There isn’t a single item on Nomad Kitchen’s menu that will set you back more than $10, so you may as well check out one of their delicious and creative burger options while you’re there.

Nomad Kitchen

(Inside the Avenue Café) 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday 2012 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing facebook.com/lansingnomadkitchen

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