NOPA Dinner Last Night - Rah! Rah! Ziss Boom Bah!

[oakjoan]

We had dinner at Nopa on Divisdero and Hayes with two NY friends last night. We drove past it a couple of times without "seeing" it because the building looks like what it used to be - a bank. We were told the vault is now the wine cellar. It was also a laundry, though not at the same time ;+)

I tell you friends, this place is fantastic! You have to call after 2 p.m. on the day you want to dine to get reservations. We were among the oldest patrons, most of the rest being 25-35ish.

Anyway, the food was marvelous.

We started with the apps:

spicy lamb riblets with coriander and mint - this was one of the best things I've ever eaten. There was actually enough for each of us to have a rib and a half. They were big ribs, too - big lambs, I guess. The sauce was so delicious we were licking our fingers.

Wood baked runner beans with tomato, feta and oregano. This had the flavoring of the most scrumptions chili we'd ever eaten, but it was more than that - sort of sourish-tangy. Again, there was enough in the dish for each to have a few spoonsful.

Sardines with eggplant salad - again delicious. Sardines were crispy on the outside and were wonderful with the eggplant salad which had more of the texture of a babah ganouj but not the seasonings.

Main courses

I had the best piece of fish I can remember (which could be two weeks ago with my onrushing senility)- a black cod with Romesco and a salad of unusual greens and sliced fennel. My favorite smoked fish is Black Cod but I rarely see it on a menu. The fish was perfectly cooked and was totally naked on the plate (the Romesco was on the side). This was the best fish. I've had great petrale sole and swordfish at Tadich, a magnificent salmon dish recently at Oliveto, and the best fish dish (not just the fish part) of halibut with potatoes, mushrooms and onions at Sea Salt - but this fish was luscious - soft as Black Cod should be, sweet and moist. OKAY! IT WAS GREAT! Get on with it!!

Husband had the Mediterranean Fish Stew which he pronounced (and I tasted and agreed) was also amazing. He loves bouillabaisse and any other kind of fish soup or stew so this is a high compliment. An aioli was drizzled over the top of it and a large toasted slice of levain-type bread came alongside.

One NY friend had a grilled pork chop which he pronounced wonderful. Didn't have a taste of his, but the plate was cleaned.

Other NY friend had a roasted half chicken with a salad of little gem lettuce and other stuff. At the end of the meal, her plate contained nothing but well-picked bones.

I wanted to try the caramel ice cream they listed on the menu, but it was sold out. I settled for a spiced apple sorbet with cookies. I was preparing to be disappointed because of my hankering for rich and creamy and sticky caramel, but this was wonderful. The texture was perfect - non-grainy and the flavor of the apples was pronounced.

We also all had coffees of various types - they serve Blue Bottle here!!! Another plus.

Nopa is worth coming over the Bridge for. Actually, at around 6pm it's not bad at all - the Bridge was clear and the streets of downtown - we had to pick them up at California and Montgomery - were also mostly uncrowded.

The space itself is also great-looking in an exposed pipes, stainless steel-kind of way. It's sleek and elegant with the huge, tall windows left over from the Bank of America days. They also have a communal table at the front which was full when we left (as was the rest of the place) and bar seating for dinner.

I loved this place - can you tell?

The wine list was also interesting with wines from places other than the usual suspects. It's posted on their website.

[mchan02]

wow, I'm convinced! I've been wanting to go to Nopa for a while but you've just puched it up on my priority list!

Great review, thanks!

[oakjoan]

I forgot another nice touch at Nopa. They gave us a small plate with sliced green apples each tipped with chunky almond butter and a tiny bowl of salt crystals. Charming and delicious. Truly amusing to my bouche.

[celeste]

I just tried Nopa last night myself. My friend and sat at the group farmer table and shared many small plates. Now I'm sad that I didn't order the Black Cod, as I love Black Cod.

Anyhow, we had the early girl tomato salad, the sardines with eggplant salad, the wood baked runner beans, the lamb sausage flatbread, and a side of green beans.

All dishes were good to outstanding except for the green beans - they were completely overcooked and mushy. The tomato salad was perfect with the most delicious croutons. I'm already sad that the time for tomato salads is ending soon. The runner beans look like kidneys and have an interesting flavor. The flatbread was quite good, with corn and cilantro, but could have used a little more lamb sausage in my opinion.

Not eating sugar right now, but the dessert list almost made me change my mind. I'll be back.

[Robert Lauriston]

Some of the varieties of green beans I've been buying at the farmers market really need to be cooked until soft. Al dente they're like cattle fodder.

[celeste]

I agree with you, but these were the reedy small haricots verts-type green beans. And had been cooked until half of them had that horrible brownish color. I don't think there's much excuse for that, but since it was the only misstep in several dishes I'm willing to overlook it. :-)

[plainjane]

great report - I'm dying to return to Nopa. Mmmm lamb riblets....

[mikeop34]

Did your black cod have a strong fishy smell? When I went with a bunch of people, several of us had that dish, and it was fishy all the way around.

another thread w/ a bunch of reports (my review's toward the bottom): http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[bittermelon125]

yeah! i too really enjoyed my experience at nopa. the food was solid and surprising, and though the place was really hopping, i found that i actually enjoyed the ambiance and crowd. the decor is charming too.

i was sure i'd be disappointed, but turns out i pleasantly impressed. lives up to the hype.