Weekend Fire at Nopa Restaurant

"Nopa is on fire?!"

Text messages started flying late Saturday afternoon (November 22, 2008) after Divisadero residents noticed multiple fire trucks assembled outside of the ultra-popular Western Addition restaurant and bar.

(Photo by Caffeina; more from her series here.)






A Nopa regular (who swears by the pork chop) tells me he heard the damage is minimal, although he noted, "The crazy thing is that apparently, they have a box of tissues placed precariously next to a candle by the sinks." He continued, "Friday on my way to the bathroom I saw a woman stomping out tissues that had caught fire while she was washing her hands." Obvi, that little mid-dinner incident Friday didn't cause Saturday's conflagration, but it's unnerving, I'm sure, for the management.

(Reminds me of the time I caught my hair on fire sitting too close to a mid-wall shelf of votives at my buddy CB's cocktail party. Could've been a big disaster, but...wasn't. Phew!)

Anyone have more news on the Nopa fire? Comment if you know anything, and I'll update if I find any new info. So far, all I've gathered is that the restaurant's voicemail and website note that they will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from November 23 to Friday, Nov. 28 at 5pm.

Love that place. Was just in there recently for a quick meal at the bar, and my favorite starter is still on the menu: a piping hot little ovoid dish filled with wood oven baked giant white beans, chunky tomato sauce and oregano with feta and breadcrumbs gratineed on top. Holy Lord is it good.

(photo by Diana M.)

(A starter of red wine braised calamari, olives and capers on grilled bread -- heaped with way too much aioli -- was, on the other hand, a total disaster, but the beans are so good I can forgive!)











Here's hoping that there wasn't significant damage at this neighborhood hotspot, and hopeful wishes that they're back on track soon!


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