On our first visit, Sarah & I arrived at 5:20 on a Thursday and found that the bar is open, but the restaurant doesn't start serving until 6. OK, a fine excuse to sample their cocktails and enjoy the surroundings! They do take same-day reservations (call after 2pm), a policy that I rather like, as I don't plan my meals that far ahead, and it sure beats waiting for an hour!

The interior is modern, but warm, with a funky mural depicting Divisadero St. storefronts on one side, a very high, open-beam ceiling, with a small upstairs dining area, the main dining room, an open kitchen, and a long bar.

First, the cocktails.... So far I've had the Old Cuban ($7), white rum, mint, sugar, lime juice and cava (Spanish dry sparkling wine). It was sort of mojito-like, but the very dry cava gave it a different, lighter flavor than a traditional mojito. Sarah's Dark and Stormy (also $7), which is Goslings dark rum, ginger beer and lime was very tasty indeed! The bartender was friendly on both visits, good for chatting with if they're not too busy (unlikely). Sarah's lemon drop (her favorite cocktail) was very good. I tried The Last Word ($6), a daring concoction of gin, marachino, chartreuse and lime. It was unusual (read: strange!), and I can't say that I'd order it again, but kudos to the bar staff for treading new ground! The Sazerac, a concoction of rye whisky, Peychauds bitters and pernod with lemon peel ($7), was fantastic, subtle and distinct flavors coming through with each sip. Sarah's Elderflower Gimlet ($7) was also delicious, despite being a simple mix of vodka, elderflower syrup, and lime. It doesn't hurt that it's a pale lavendar hue too :)

Stumbling on to the appetizers.... On our first visit Sarah had the mixed greens salad ($6) and I ordered the breaded whole small fish (anchovies - I had to ask) atop greens ($8). The salad was basic, but good, and my breaded anchovies were excellent, nicely crispy and served with a tasty aioli. I thought it was a generous portion for $8, perhaps 10 smallish fish. Our second meal at NOPA started with a delicious flatbread of lamb sausage and peppers ($10). The flatbread, essentially a super-thin-crust pizza, was crispy and the lamb sausage atop it was excellent.

Onto main dishes.... For our first visit Sarah couldn't resist the yummy-looking rotisserie chicken ($17), normally served with arugula, mustard and watercress greens, but as she dislikes arugula, the kitchen was good enough to substitute mashed potatoes. perfectly moist, yet crispy on the outside, mmmmm! The mashed potatoes too were done just right - not overly processed, but not too lumpy either.

I had a fillet of sturgeon with artichoke, peas and asparagus ($19) on our first dinner. The sturgeon (the only time I've had it that I can recall) was tender and firm with a mild flavor. The greens atop it gave it a bright earthiness that I rather liked. For a subsequent meal, Sarah had the black cod ($19), a very tender fillet of fish that was perfectly cooked, surrounded by seasonal vegetables and I had the pork chop ($19), which were probably the best pork chops I've ever had. Cooked just right (not overdone) and full of wonderful heady flavor, the braised surface redolent of bacon, the side greens a perfect foil, yum!! Unlike much "the other white meat" pork these days, it actually tasted like pig - mmmm!

On our first visit, Sarah had a glass of syrah ($6.50) and I a Nebbiolo red ($12), both of which were good, if a touch expensive in my case, and on our second we shared a lovely bottle of Ici/L-Bas Pinot Noir ($40).

Lastly, dessert.... On our maiden meal here S & I split the bourbon-infused creme brulee ($7), which was possibly the most wonderful brulee I've ever had! Perfectly smooth and even inside, with a lot of that delightful burned sugar crust on top - I regretted our decision to share, however, as I wanted the whole thing to myself! Sadly, the brulee was not on the menu on our second meal, so we had the doughnut holes with pot de creme The Ferreira 15-year-old tawny port ($14) I had to accompany dessert was good, but not worth the money, IMO.

Our first bill came to $97 for two appetizers, two entrees, two glasses of wine, a dessert, and a port, and the second visit set us back $120 for an appetizer, two entrees, bottle of wine, dessert, and cognac. Given the nice surroundings, great service, and excellent food, we felt this represented a good value for the money. We were also intrigued by the long communal table next to the bar for casual dining-with-strangers-style eating - it looked perfect for stopping in for a couple of drinks and appetizers (or dessert!).

On both occasions, service was very good; Our water was refilled as needed, and the staff was casual and friendly, yet professional - just how we like it. Based on our two visits, we are very happy to have NOPA nearby, as it's probably the best restaurant within reasonable walking distance from our apartment. Four thumbs up!