We were invited by owner and chef Alessandro Merlo to a tasting menu at the soon-to-be-opened Noliane in Ngor, just behind Philip Morris. Now I know we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I have to admit that I did judge very favorably when we walked in and I spotted lamps by Tisserand, juju hats by Ibrahim Sheriff and Rwandan baskets on the walls. Guests can choose one of the eight tables, either indoor seating or outdoor around the pool. Both inside and out, Noliane is beautifully and tastefully decorated, which gave me high hopes for the cuisine.
The dinner was excellent, which is not surprising considering this is not Alessandro’s first rodeo restaurant in Africa, but it is his first in Dakar. Noliane will be offering a regularly changing lunch and dinner menu with three choices each for entrée, plats and dessert, but the reason people will fall in love with Noliane will be for their ‘menu carte blanche’, a 28,000 CFA five-course chef’s choice dinner. That and their wine cellar will feature 60+ selections with 80% from Italy and 20% from France, and at the bar, G&Ts will be the specialty.
The highlights of the meal for me were the perfectly cooked vegetables (grilled asparagus! fennel!) and the risotto highlighted with coffee. Although the barracuda was pretty amazing too. And of course, the broken tart with berries and cream.
Noliane will open officially this week. Although reservations are not required, I recommend you call ahead. Those tables will fill quickly once word gets out!
Noliane
77 137 4872 (French or English… or Italian.)
