Pawan Soyam
Google
A Fusion of Vibes and Flavors 😋🍲🥗🍸
We recently visited Namaste Nola for a small mentor–mentee dinner gathering of five people...4 of us Indian and 1 American friend. What unfolded was an evening filled with lively conversations, flavorful surprises, and a few unexpected misses.
🌟 Ambience & Service
The restaurant exudes a warm and elegant vibe. The decor is a tasteful blend of modern and Indian aesthetics, making it a cozy yet classy setting for both casual hangouts and special dinners. The staff was courteous, attentive, and accommodating throughout our meal, adding to the overall pleasant experience.
🍹 Drinks
Namaste Nola clearly knows how to do its drinks right 🤗. Each of the cocktails and mocktails we tried was unique and beautifully presented.
Rum Rose Cocktail 🍷 : A tropical punch of rum and pineapple mellowed by the smooth finish of red wine 🍷absolutely refreshing.
Dirty Martini 🍸: Strong, crisp, and balanced. Perfectly done for those who enjoy their martinis classic.
Namaste Sunrise Cocktail 🍹: Tequila meets citrus with a subtle floral hint.. great twist on the Tequila Sunrise.
Namaste Day (Mocktail) 🧃: Fruity, fizzy, and vibrant....a hit even among the cocktail drinkers.
🥟 Appetizers
Gobi Manchurian: Crispy, tangy, and well-spiced.....everything you'd expect from this Indo-Chinese classic.
Mirpakaya Bajji: Back in India it is called Mirch Bhajji. A delicious take on the spicy, stuffed jalapenos.....comforting and bold in flavor.
🍛 Entrees
The vegetarian entrees absolutely stole the show:
Malai Kofta: Rich, creamy, and melt-in-the-mouth...this dish was the star of the night.
Methi Malai Mutter: Subtle yet flavorful with a luscious texture; perfectly complemented the naan selection.
However, the non-vegetarian dishes fell short of expectations:
Kodi Kura (Chicken Curry) and Royalla Iguru (Shrimp) lacked the depth, spice kick, and aromatic boldness Indian curries are known for. They felt under-seasoned and didn’t carry the typical Indian soul you'd hope for. This was a letdown, especially with the strong veg competition on the same table.
The rice and variety of breads....butter garlic naan, chilli naan, and masala kulcha, were soft, fresh, and made great companions to the curries.
🍨 Dessert
Gulab Jamuns: Warm, soft, and syrupy perfection. A sweet ending that wrapped up the meal beautifully.
💰 Overall Impression
Namaste Nola offers an aesthetically pleasing space, fantastic drinks, and standout vegetarian fare. While the non-veg menu didn’t quite deliver the expected Indian punch, the overall dining experience was enjoyable.
Yes, the prices are a bit on the higher side, but given the setting and presentation, it's understandable....just wish the flavor matched up across the board.