Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine, June 2017
Story & Photos by Gail Collins
Travel writer and a founder of Outside magazine, Tim Cahill, once noted: “Travel is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” On the cusp of summer, one’s mind turns to travel, to vacation. Vacation and travel are used interchangeably, but the first often entails getting away to relax, while the latter implies exploration.
Exploration becomes an education, both in making plans and executing them, and as plans generally go awry, that is when the learning begins in earnest. We must problem-solve, reach out to strangers, and often, we make friends in the process. Beyond our familiar culture lay new ways to live, think and grow. Our circle of experience expands dynamically, and we are raw and real in the moment. Maybe, that authenticity allows us to find fast friends when wandering—we open up, engage in novel adventures and find others, who understand the joy in it.
We are fortunate to live in a place, where people come for adventure. Flagstaff is a jumping off point for travelers from around the globe. They bring their ways to us! The connecting point for such fellow travelers is Nomads Global Lounge with the motto: “Where the world comes to mingle.” Owners John and Lisa McCulloch wanted a social space for guests of their properties, so John spent more than two years employing his
woodworking skills to transform the previous check-in area of Motel DuBeau. Nomads opened last October.
“We created an elegant, but comfortable, communal environment, where travelers and pilgrims could gather and tell stories, and locals could meet them,” John said. Lisa handled the decorating, layering a sleek, international atmosphere over classic, historic bones. Handcrafted, burnished wood, leather seating arranged for chatting, bold colors on the walls and global destinations on frameless canvases give Nomads a timeless, yet yearning-forward, feel. The duo built a background in customer service before buying the Downtown Motel in 1997 and Motel DuBeau Travelers Inn & Hostel in 2000 to provide beds for 90 travelers.
“It’s a quiet place to come after the theater, for parents dropping off college kids, a pre-game meet-up or a nightcap after dinner,” said John. The bar aspects include a variety of international wines and beers, plus cold pints of Boddington’s and 90 Schilling, specifically. Can’t decide on a wine? John suggests sampling sips.
The lounge’s two-star pricing and small plates mix quality with affordability. Besides, there is no use for leftovers when traveling. Around the globe, eating where the locals do is a great way to cut costs and relish culture. That is why Miles Martin, previously of Cottage Place and New Frontiers kitchens, collaborated with John on a street food-focused menu.
The yin yang beet hummus and walnut ghanoush—based on Julia Child’s recipe—balances compatible tastes on a colorful plate with chunky veggies for scooping. Also from the Nibblers Nosh $8-plates, one can dig in to the creamy blend of Gouda, spinach and gratin with buttery baguettes or blue corn chips.
A hearty nosh is a dollar more, and the recipes up the ante, too. Yucatan chicken fires flavors with an achiote citrus marinade—melding the meat for three days in lime, orange, allspice and Saigon cinnamon for depth—and adds a spicy chili pepper glaze, plus house made buttermilk chipotle ranch sauce. It’s hot and cool simultaneously and transports a traveler south. The lamb kafta is tender and mild with mint, feta, grilled tomatoes and Greek spices with a balsamic reduction and chilled tzatziki dipper.
Mushrooms au poivre, sautéed in peppery brandy cream sauce, offer the perfect earthy side to a dish. Other tasters and sides include vanilla bean sweet potato mousse—velvety, luxurious—and elote con calabacitas—fresh corn with crumbled cojita cheese, “magic dust” and zucchini. “Miles has secrets,” said John with a wink. Blend the noshes and sides for a no-knives, manageable meal.
African peanut stew falls under the Supa category. Dark meat chicken, tomatoes, yams, collard greens and cinnamon create a palate and nutrition bomb that’s as complex as it is filling. Other bargain soups, available in a cup or bowl, include pork green chile—a recipe gleaned outside Mexico City—and savory tomato, floating a grilled cheese sandwich atop.
Finish with petite sweets. Blending 60-percent Ghirardelli cocoa for bonbons with a hint of heat brings the international picnic full circle. Like the globe fire pit and other spherical tributes, the McCulloch’s created a homey place where nomads from near and far can connect. NAMLM
Learn More: www.modubeau.com/nomads-global-lounge