[Rated: 3.5/5]
Located amongst the swanky office buildings in Cyber City, Gurgaon, Nooba is a Chinese restaurant, surrounded by other restaurants like Masque, Below 8, Kabab County and others. Since parking at Cyber City is difficult to find, the restaurant is mostly occupied by office goers throughout the afternoon and late evenings. This 60-70 seater restaurant is a good place to unwind after a long days work, and perhaps enjoy a good meal with some drinks amidst light music in the background. As you enter the restaurant you can see their glass covered kitchen with chefs inside preparing food and smoke going up the chimney, which will immediately make you crave some warm food. The ambience is neat and clean but the noise level rises as soon as groups of office-goers start doing their thing and get high on a few drinks.
In food, my favourite at Nooba has always been steamed, sliced fish with chilly garlic sauce. The fish is soft, juicy and makes you feel good for having chosen a healthy dish. It is garnished with fried onions, garlic etc which bring out the flavors of the fish. Probably steamed fish and the dimsums are the lightest appetisers you will get at Nooba, as most others are deep fried. Equally good are the fried prawns, which are crisp from outside and juicy & soft inside. These are one of the better prawns I have had in Gurgaon, others being either too small or didn’t taste fresh. Shredded Chilly Sesame Chicken was again good, but I did not like Chong Quing Spicy Chicken. This was probably deep fried for too long which made it very oily and chewy. In the vegetarian section do try the Chilly Honey Water Chestnut with Lotus Stem, and Corn Salt & Pepper. The Corn Salt & Pepper was not in the menu earlier but was always served when asked for. Finally it has made way into the new menu.
The main course offers good value for money with noodles and rice bowls served as all-in-one meals. I tried Mixed Bean Noodles in Black Bean Sauce and Fried Rice with Seasonal Vegetables, which were quite generous in their meat and vegetable content. If you have had some appetisers, I suggest sharing one bowl of your chosen main course between 2 people, else you will not have space for desserts which are too good to be missed. In the dessert section, Chocolate Roulade is a soft cake filled with hot chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream. It is a refreshing must try when at Nooba. I also love the walnut brownie and the caramel custard at Nooba and I drool even as I thinkand write about these wonderful desserts.
The service at Nooba is good and fast. The waiters are non intrusive but they are always at your service when you need them. The food does seem expensive if you are not going through a special promotional offer or Happy hour discounts that are offered on drinks. If you are in the vicinity do try Nooba.
Useful Facts:
Meal for two: Rs 1500
Steamed sliced fish with chilly garlic sauce: Rs380
Fried Prawns: Rs380
Shredded Chilly Sesame Chicken: Rs270
Chong Quing Spicy Chicken: Rs270
Chilly Honey Water Chestnut with lotus stems: Rs210
Corns Salt & Pepper: Rs210
Mixed Bean Noodles in black bean sauce: Rs320
Fried Rice with seasonal vegetables: Rs280
Chocolate Roulade: Rs150
Walnut Brownie: Rs150
Caramel Custard: Rs150
