Nopa

Nopa seems like it might fit your list. REPLY (33 Replies) (by Civil Bear, created December 29, 2011)

NOPA and Mission Beach Cafe have delectable pork chops on their menus. REPLY (14 Replies) (by Cynsa, created September 25, 2011)

It may not be upscale enough for your friends, but Nopa is great for kids. REPLY (7 Replies) (by absc, created July 24, 2011)

»Nopa Brunch Report

Wow. Today Nopa debuted their brunch service, and they hit it out of the park.

We got there a half hour after they opened, and the place was already almost full (although the bar area was pretty much empty). There's no question they'll be doing a great business every weekend here on out.*

The menu is a great mix of sweet and savory, classic and innovative. And yes, the burger's on there!...+READ Wow. Today Nopa debuted their brunch service, and they hit it out of the park.

We got there a half hour after they opened, and the place was already almost full (although the bar area was pretty much empty). There's no question they'll be doing a great business every weekend here on out.*

The menu is a great mix of sweet and savory, classic and innovative. And yes, the burger's on there! There's also a breakfast cocktail menu, of course.

We started with a smoked trout/farmer's cheese/pickled onion/bagel plate and the tomato salad. Both were outstanding. The smoke trout was mild, and the flesh was moist. The tomato salad (if I had to guess I'd say they were Early Girls) finally provided me with the first truly delicious tomato I've had all year. And the feta they use is so creamy and perfect.

For mains, I got butter basted eggs with white corn polenta cakes and a zucchini/corn succotash. I've never had butter basted eggs before, but our server explained the technique and i was sold. It creates eggs that are very uniformly cooked, and the white is velvety but not gooey. Really special, and a treat for anyone who likes a runny yolk without any chance of snotty egg white (sorry, but that's the only way I can describe it).

My husband ordered the merguez sausage with lentils and 2 poached eggs. The lentils were cooked perfectly, the sausage was juicier than any merguez I've ever had.

The portions are huge, so go hungry. You'll leave happy. Add this to the top of your brunch list.

*I remember reading somewhere that they are closed next weekend (9/11&12) for a private event.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (3 Replies) (by Absonot, created September 4, 2010)

»Fun, Festive Nopa

Festive atmosphere with fantastic food. Good place to go with a small group (IF you have a reservation, which needs to be booked in advance, sometimes way in advance). I don't drink, but I hear that the bar and its offerings are also a big draw here. Not a cheap night out but definitely a fun one. (by DeborahL, created October 1, 2009)