NOPA: San Francisco

Date:  mardi 24 novembre 2009

Location:  560 Divisadero @ Hayes

San Francisco, CA

415.864.8643

http://www.nopasf.com/

My good friend Hosea Rosenberg (Top Chef Season 5) had been visiting San Francisco for a week.  We had literally ran the gamut across town the past week with sights and activities all revolving around food and wine (Spruce, Town Hall, Fairmont, Delfina, Bar Crudo, Boulettes Larder, numerous bars).  Nopa was definitely on the list of restos to try - and so it was for Hosea's last hurrah, we found ourselves at the North of the Panhandle restaurant.  

I like Nopa.  The food is delicious, savory, consistent, quintessential San Francisco (fresh, seasonal, organic, local, etc. etc.).  They call their food "urban rustic" - which is a perfect description.  The presentation is none too fussy nor perfect;  it is beautiful yet casual.  Same with their place settings and serving etiquette.  It is an easy place to feel comfortable for any San Franciscan (though my girlfriend recently told me that she overheard Nopa as the resto where Marina girls go when venturing outside of the Marina but too scared to go into the Mission).  It is not the first restaurant that would come to mind when treating out of towners due to the raucous din that arises in the space after 8pm.

Thus, we dined at 6pm.  Even still, reservations were impossible to procure.  Luckily, we gently tossed Hosea's name around which immediately got us a table... then an upgrade to a booth.  Team effort well done!

The four of us had spent a solid 14hours together just two days prior in Napa.  So tonight, it was the opportunity to debrief on our previous first time field trip together.  Yes, we were still alive despite things having gotten a little CRAZY from time to time in Napa.  It was obvious when we all reconvened that Tuesday evening that we were detoxed and had an easy going night in mind (sure, heard that one before, every night prior).  

As true foodies, the four of us collaborated magically and strategically ordered different dishes to share alongside a good mix of appetizers (after a good 45minutes catching up over cocktails first).  Hosea ordered the chicken, J and M ordered the pork (J - medium rare on the rare side, my kind of girl), and I ordered the duck tagliatelle.  We all shared our dishes because we love to try different tastes.  We had a bottle of red wine (French syrah), dessert, and digestifs.  Dinner and drinks was marvelous, paired with the perfect company and witty intelligent conversation.  I miss that evening much. 

The chemistry amongst the four of us was so off beat.  J remarked how odd it was that after spending an entire day together - that still none of us understood each other's humor - and I chimed in that somehow it just all works!  Felt like we had known each other for years, kindred spirits were easily woven the past few days, and topped off with a warm fuzzy rustic meal at NOPA.