Nopa

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Nopa - the brunch.  Nopa recently added brunch to their restaurants hours, but reservations are just as hard to get as their dinner reservations.  I did notice its easier to get bar seating and common table seating at brunch than at dinner.

Nopa bustling at 11AM!

Custard french toast - #6 on 2012 7x7 SF's Top 100 Eats

The infamous custard french toast with blood orange marmalade and honey lemon butter.  This dish is crazy good.  Not only is the bread the perfect thickness for the delicate custard texture, its also thick enough that it doesn't fall apart on your way to your mouth.  The two slice portion is actually pretty big.  You can order a smaller 1 slice order for half the price ($7).   

A close up look of the perfect consistency of a proper custard french toast. 

The Nopa burger.  This burger is available at both lunch and dinner.  A couple additions made this burger a bacon cheddar grass fed hamburger.  Not only is the burger delicious, but the fries are as well.  The fries are lightly crispy and well seasoned.  It's so good you almost wonder which compliments which.  

An extremely juicy burger, but the brioche bun held up quite well and made it until the last bite. 

updated - Working my way through the 2012 7x7's SF big eat 100 things

Address:                                                  Nopa
                                                                        560 Divisadero St.
                                                                        San Francisco, CA

Type:                                                          brunch/casual

Popular chomps (brunch):       custard french toast
                                                                         grass fed hamburger
                                                                         oven baked farm egg
                                                                         butter based farm eggs

Chomp worthy:                                  custard french toast

                                                                         grass fed hamburger

Nopa (2008)

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Nopa

Its challenging getting a table at Nopa now with Open Table, but try getting a table in 2008 when they only seated based on first come first serve basis.  The only way in was squatting by the door at least 30 minutes before the restaurant opened - first hand experience here (multiple times).

A view from the communal table

The layout of the restaurant is spacious with a loft feeling.  The modern interior is a pleasant surprise from the outside of the building and surrounding neighborhood.

Little fried fish

Perfectly fried with no oily aftertaste.  Not a fan of the sauce - too mayoey for my taste.  Note: Nopa changed the sauce to a romesco (red sauce) on the current (2011) menu.

Salad with frisee and breadcrumbs. 

Fresh vegetables with a light dusting of crispy breadcrumbs.  Not bad, but nothing outstanding either.

Halibut

Well balanced dish.  Being a white fish, the taste of halibut can easily be overshadowed by heavy sauces.  The fresh seasonal veggies and light sauce complimented the fish providing clean flavors.

Rotisserie herbed chicken

Generous portion - half a chicken!  Moist, tender chicken.  Really well cooked, but didn't wow me.  It takes a lot for a chicken to wow me.  Seemed like it was lacking some flavor, a little bland.

Country pork chop with grilled peaches

Usually I avoid ordering pork chops because it always comes out overcooked and dry.  This is probably the best cooked pork chop I ever had. A thick cut of pork that slices ever so easily when cut.  Tender.  Juicy.  Epic. The grilled peaches were sweet and complimented the pork without being overpowering.

Horn with creme fraiche ice cream and fresh berries

Fried piece of dough with a sprinkle of a cinnamon and sugar - like a flat churro.  Good, but nothing mind blowing.

Verdict:             Another great example of San Francisco style food - simple, homey cooking that never over powers the fresh ingredients of a dish.  The pork chop made me a believer in pork. 

Address:          NOPA

                         560 Divisadero St

                         San Francisco, CA 94117

Type:               American
                          casual

Popular chomps:  flatbread, pork chops, burger

Chomp worthy:  Pork chop
                                                    

Pass:                Nothing is a super miss.

Random facts:

• plan ahead to eat here - get your reservations early!
• the burger is a popular must eat
• now open for weekend brunch
• Ive seen Jacques Pepin here!