New hospitality concept Nela takes up residence in Valley

In restaurant Nela, no two seats are the same and every table is an experience in and of itself. That alone makes the hospitality concept perfect for Valley, the iconic building with the ‘hanging’ gardens in the Zuidas district. Following the Pizzabakkers and Italian restaurant Ferilli’s, Nela is the latest in the series of different hospitality concepts to take up residence in the remarkable structure. And as a result, Valley is ‘the place to be’ for both residents and those who visit for business. Developer EDGE successfully completed the building, which is now owned by the RBG Group of Companies, on 15 November 2021.

Nela is the brand new initiative of international chefs Hari Shetty and Ori Geller, in partnership with British entrepreneur, Gilad Hayeem. After years of working for top restaurants such as NOBU London, Yafo in Tel Aviv and Izakaya and Mr. Porter in Amsterdam, Ori and Hari joined forces with Gilad to bring their shared vision and creativity to life by establishing Nela.

‘Nela’ is the Sanskrit word for ‘pure’. To the founders, this name symbolises not only their pure gastronomy, but also the raw natural materials of the interior and the purity of the founders’ intentions – the guest always comes first. At Nela, the focus is on the cooking method: an open fire in the centre of the space. Every element of the menu is inspired by those flames, which cook the food to perfection and imbue it with a unique smoky flavour. It is important that the specific qualities of each ingredient are celebrated; a lovely fish retains its fresh taste and the texture of each vegetable is maintained.

Dynamic interior

Framework Studio was tapped to design Nela’s dynamic interior. Natural materials such as wood, metals, stone and wool have been integrated in their purest forms to create a dynamic atmosphere. Every seat in the house is an experience: there are no boring tables to be found at Nela. And every seat is different as well, from a quiet table on the terrace to a spot at the lively bar in the centre of the restaurant, from which guests can enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of the place.

Organic

For the founders of Nela, the location in Valley was a gift. Hari Shetti explains: ‘A restaurant’s surroundings are an important factor in its success and we feel blessed to have found this spot. Valley is a prime example of innovation and sustainability, but it is also a place where people come together. All these characteristics are in keeping with our own operational philosophy, so that the partnership feels quite natural and organic.’

Valley offers numerous possibilities for working, living, dining, relaxing or exercising – or simply for seeking inspiration. The various hospitality concepts like Nela bring new and vibrant life to the Zuidas, ensuring a most pleasant visit for both residents and those who drop by for business.