By Neha Mehrotra
23-Aug-2024
If there’s one lesson five months in Delhi has drilled into me, it’s this: the traffic here has a talent for turning even your best-laid plans into a race against time. No matter how early you set off, Delhi’s infamous crawl of cars will make sure you’re fashionably late! Case in point: a recent two-hour ordeal in traffic left me frazzled and teetering on the edge of hangry—until I stepped inside NOE. Nestled amidst the heart of Lutyens Delhi in the iconic Diplomat Hotel, the city’s newest dining space greeted me with a warm and inviting ambiance that instantly soothed my frazzled nerves and the dim lighting, paired with soft, soothing music, set the tone for what turned out to be an extraordinary dining experience.
A Refreshing New Concept
NOE is set to redefine the easy dining culture in the city, bringing a vibrant social atmosphere and an innovative culinary experience. The brainchild of Sandeep Bishnoi, a founding member of creative brands such as Perch Wine and Coffee Bar and Hoots, NOE breathes new life into the concept of ‘elevated comfort food.’ The cuisine here is the brainchild of chef Dhruv Nijhawan, and you've got to hand it to him to bring together a celebration of flavours—with each dish crafted using high-quality produce and inspired by both regional and international cuisines.
The Flavours on your Plate
Featuring an extensive breakfast spread, an all-day dining menu, and delectable Sunday brunches, along with rotating seasonal menus, NOE will welcome you to a world of elevated comfort food, exquisite cocktails, and unforgettable dining experiences.
As the dishes kept rolling in, one after the other, it made it nearly impossible to pick favourites. But if I had to name a few standouts, we kicked things off with the chicken truffle and leek with tamari—both of which were an absolute treat for the taste buds. However, the highlight of our meal was the Onigiri and Rasam, which was served with jasmine rice onigiri with a light rasam sauce finished with celery dust and furikake peashoot. Despite being stuffed with flavours, we had to spare some space for the desserts and one glance at the mouthwatering Peaches and Vanila panna cotta was enough to lure us in. I also recommend devouring the Chocolate and Coffee Cake, which is a bestseller.
NOE’s creative highball cocktail program perfectly rounded our experience off. Managed by Hoots, one of Asia’s Top 50 Bars, the cocktails were refreshingly balanced, crafted with premium spirits and house-made mixers.
A Contemporary Ambience
The decor evokes a sense of calm; there’s lots of colonial aesthetics, such as rich oak panelling and vintage flooring, interspersed with contemporary elements of long grid mirrors, neutral hues and the play of natural light. The décor screams a quintessential Delhi vibe—plenty of greens infused with mood lighting and chic interiors. The space is designed to flow seamlessly: indoor seating transitions smoothly into a trendy bar, a plush rustic outdoor deck, and a cosy courtyard. While it’s got the elegance of fine dining, NOE is laid-back enough to make it your go-to for an easy yet memorable meal.
With these diverse settings, NOE creates layers of sensory experiences for all moods and occasions where you can engage with different spaces—ideal for a casual gathering over food and drinks, a romantic date, or even a solo culinary adventure! If you’re in Delhi, this is worth making a trip to.
Cover Credits: NOE Delhi
