Noa (Neil Road)

Had a weekend dinner at Noa with my partner and her family. We were a large group and ordered many of their dishes, and I will highlight some that I really enjoyed.

For appetizers, three dishes really stood out. First and foremost was their signature NOA “Bomba.” The meatballs had a clean, crisp exterior with flavorful and juicy meat within, paired perfectly with the harissa and allioli sauces. The other starter that not only myself but my entire group thoroughly enjoyed was the hummus salad. The texture was perfectly creamy, and the chickpeas were of great quality. Topped with sardines and grape salad, the hummus was a unique and delightful dish that paired wonderfully with the warm and fluffy bread served alongside it. Last but definitely not least for the starters, my personal favorite which really impressed me was the falafel. Fried perfectly, the chickpeas were fresh and of high quality. The za’atar yogurt and olive oil were extremely flavorful, elevating the entire dish.

For the small dishes, a must-order is definitely the burnt cauliflower salad. It was so good that we had to order seconds. They roasted the cauliflower impeccably, and the sauce it was served with is unlike any other I have tasted before. It was citrusy with a hint of sourness from the plum, plus a hint of saltiness from the anchovies, making it a really special dish.

For the mains, two dishes stood out to me: the black angus beef tenderloin and the Iberico suckling pig belly. The beef was cooked just right, with a texture that was neither too tough nor too soft. The potato puree and vegetable escabeche with their sauces blended really well with the meatiness of the beef. My personal favorite main was the latter, the suckling pig chunks were packed with flavor, and every bite oozed with juices. The cuts were perfect, with the right amount of skin, fats, and lean meat in every piece. What really brought the gastronomic experience of this dish to the next level had to be the roasted pineapple served with it. The pineapple was sweet and juicy with a seared exterior, and having it alongside or even after every bite of the pork added a unique flavor and also served to clear the greasiness of the pork.

Moving on to the desserts, I chose to take a leap of faith and ordered the truffle cheesecake. To put it out there, this dessert is not for everybody. The truffle smell and taste are extremely strong. Even for me, someone who absolutely loves truffle and cheese, it still took me by surprise. The portion stated was for two people, but it definitely could serve up to four or even five given that it is quite overwhelming. That being said, nonetheless, I really enjoyed it, and it was an eye-opening experience.

The ambience of the restaurant was great, it had an up-class yet chill environment. The wait staff were extremely attentive, and service was great. Not forgetting the drinks, they have a decent alcohol selection. I ordered the Moscow Mule, and it was an extremely well-done cocktail. I wouldn’t expect less as they had an entire bar within the restaurant, and the bartender seemed to be very proficient in what he was doing.

Overall, Noa offers great food with an impressive selection of dishes and drinks. The prices are definitely on the higher side, but Noa is perfect if you are looking to celebrate something special.

Great ambience , similar to great gatesby