Nopa Awards

Nopa Restaurant Review:

While the name sounds exotic, Nopa is actually short for North of the Panhandle, a nod to the neighborhood in which this bustling restaurant is rooted. Formerly a bank, the building's excessively high ceilings allow for a two-tiered dining room with views into an open kitchen complete with rotisserie. The long bar plays host to a fashionable crowd of urbanites and a whimsical mural of beloved local haunts makes a good conversation starter. Sustainable, locally farmed ingredients create a seasonal Mediterranean-inflected menu centered around the hearth. Starters may include little fried fish or flatbreads. For heartier fare, one may dig into the restaurant's famed burger, or try the country pork chop with potatoes. The wine list features an impressive and pricey selection of varietals. There are a couple dozen or so wines by the glass, or opt for spirits from the full bar. Service is reasonably efficient and friendly.