Noa Review

From Moscowiki

Noa

Cuisine: Italian
Address: Protochny per., 7
Metro: Smolenskaya
Tel: 244-0777
Open daily from 12:00 until 24:00.
All major credit cards are accepted.

Trendy but Friendly

By Alice Babington Hill

Essentially Noa is a new New Russian hang out, but with a difference. It lacks that stroppy attitude which seems to come hand in hand with Gucci shades and Prada heels. Everyone was laughing and smiling and there were even children running around the place. The well stocked bar with its well stacked (hmmmm) bar staff weren' at all phased when we ordered ice wrapped in a napkin, for a slight emergency, instead of a cocktail.

After the make shift first aid, we were escorted to our table (they managed to accommodate a change from non to smoking despite the fact the place was full) and Massimo, the manager, hovered by our table waiting for us to decide what to drink and eat. This was slightly difficult considering he didn't really seem to want to give us a menu, and when one is feeling a little indecisive I thought it could have been a long wait for him, so settled on the "What would you recommend" tactic. He recommended apple martinis (delicious delicious delicious) and pasta with pesto and salmon which I opted for, "But without the salmon please". I then thought perhaps it was a little unadventurous of me to settle on this, but I needn't have worried. Noa's pasta with pesto could not have been further from my student experiences. The spaghetti was thick and obviously home made and beautifully fresh and the pesto was bright green and sloppy and generous. A little sprinkling of walnuts on top gave it the final "don't you dare confuse me with Sainsbury's' touch. Natasha opted for a seafood risotto which I didn't try given my aversion to most things fishy, but was assured it was good.

Eventually I insisted on seeing a menu to ascertain some rough prices. Pasta dishes average 320rbl while the risotto was 380rbl. Fish mains average 620rbl and meat 470rbl. Puddings are approximately 300rbl and the menu is mainly made up from frutti di bosci and ice cream. We decided indulgence was in order so opted for Creme Brule and the Gelato al Forno. I think the Creme Brule was better but the most amazing thing of all was the size of these puddings. They are intimidatingly huge. Plus with our rich coffee we were presented with complimentary custardy sweetmeats and these would have sufficed as a little something to finish with.

Noa is excellently designed, so much so that I found "awesome interior" written in no less than three separate occasions in my notes. Candles are everywhere and the dark red interior gives a cosy and seductive feel, but the huge window allows for lots of light which makes for acceptable indoor summer eating. Being so new it is still in the process of being completed properly (for example they have yet to open their top floor fish restaurant) but the two terraces should be functioning now. Currently opening hours are from 11am until late, but soon they will operate from 8am. They offer a Sunday brunch menu and have a couple of private rooms for hire.

Noa comes thoroughly recommended. I will definitely return soon.

27.05.03.