Restaurant Review: Noa Lounge Captures The Essence Of Mediterranean Flavours At Neil Road

PUBLISHED October 4th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 04:26 pm

With the latest opening of the Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Neil Road has once again sprung to life with new dining concepts and a brand new bar to explore within the establishment. Amongst the new gems is the hyped Noa Lounge (for good reason!). This latest venture by BARMUTEARY F&B Group, brings the Mediterranean experience right here to our tiny red dot, delicately balancing  the flavours of Eastern Mediterranean, Southern Europe, and North Africa into one compact menu by Chef Alain Devahive. Take a peep inside this dining haven through fresh eyes as we review our evening at Noa Lounge.

Average spend per pax: about S$70++ for a three course meal, without drinks. 

Ambiance & Service

Perhaps its true – you feast with your eyes first – and when its comes to Noa Lounge, the restaurant ‘serves up‘ a hot plate of class. Albeit the space is an intimate one, the interior however goes big with terrazzo tiled floors, gorgeous tiled walls, terracotta dining boots, and chic velvety chairs. Nonetheless the biggest eye-catcher is the ceiling bar space stocked with a plethora of wine options, spirits and house-made concoctions. Wherever you may choose to grab a seat, you’re almost guaranteed a picture-perfect Instagram post thanks to the vibrant colours shining in the restaurants interior. Adding to the the allure, your night is secured in the very capable hands of Restaurant Manager, Catalin Firanescu and his team that ensure a well-rounded experience that will surely keep you coming back for more.

Bites & Mains

The gastronomic journey here is nothing short of unforgettable. Beyond the extremely heavy and oily falafels and kebabs that we’re used to from these so-called ‘Mediterranean restaurants’, Noa Lounge showcases the real beauty of authentic Mediterranean delights and ingredients – from olive oil, to aromatic herbs and traditional yogurts that we often miss out on.

There’s simply no better way to start your meal than indulging in the classic selection of Mezze. A crowd-favourite, the Hummus (S$16) here is ultra creamy and silky which also boasts a hint of smokey element thanks to the tender smoked sardines and the crispy chickpeas. Alternatively, we’d advise not to miss the Muhammara (S$9), a roasted red pepper dip originating from Syria. This smokey and slightly heaty dish gets a refreshing twist with the addition of mint leaves and earthy pine nuts. Our pick of the night, however is the addictive Baba Ghanoush (S$21) complimented with tangy Yogurt, and the freshness of the mint. Not forgetting the pomegranate which adds a nice texture and sweetness to the appetiser too. All of these are best enjoyed with the airy and warm pita breads.

The Falafel (S$15), on the other hand, truly caught us by surprise. The earthy dish that is usually deep-fried evaded its usual greasy connotation for a more dry and crumbly mouthfeel. When paired with the za’atar yogurt, the dish came alive with undertones of citrus and nuttiness in each bite. The highlight of the night for us at Noa Lounge was the Lamb Kofta (S$35). These tender bites were cleverly doused in an umami gravy to cut through all the gaminess of the meat, whilst the fava beans added a nice texture to the dish. The dish is completed with a silky, tart and sweet greek Skordalia dip, that was equally enticing. The Roasted Black Cod ($48), was another treat intricately mingled with the herbaceous and tangy green mojo sauce and soft leeks.

Boozey Concoctions

The drinks here are just as delightful thanks their dedicated Mixologist, MichaelJ, known in the industry for his extensive knowledge in spirits, wines, and cocktails. Besides opting for his signatures like the Calypso (S$24), which is his take on a pisco sour, and Zuma (S$24) with aged dark rum, zesty lime and a splash of habanero, you can also do the good old ‘trust your bartender’ trick for a tailor-made drink based on your preferences. We’re also big fans of the Pomada (S$22) which would make for a refreshing aperitif with a house-made blend of three types of ginger, gin and ginger beer. Mocktails are also available.

There’s no denying that the Mediterranean Basin is huge, and with it’s large geographic area comes a rich diversity of culinary customs, ingredients and flavours. To obtain a harmony of these varying flavours and delights often becomes a challenge for restaurants that opt to showcase this to the Singaporean audience. Yet, thanks to Chef Alain Devahive’s experience, knowledge and leadership, Noa Lounge has managed to find a way to bring these various flavours together, so that it make for an intriguing storyline that goes beyond just another meal catered to the Asian palate, but one that totally encapsulates the Mediterranean experience – from interior, to service and grub.

Noa Lounge is located at 83 Neil Road, Mondrian Singapore Duxton, #01-01/02/03, Singapore 089813, p.+65 6513 4178. Open Wed -Sun 12pm-12am. Closed on Mon & Tue.