Best Open Kitchen Restaurants in Forest Hill / West Portal

I always love going here! Both the Northbeach location and Westlake are run so efficiently! The service and the food is always excellent, though they did let me down today! I ordered the Chinese Chicken Salad and it was soggy and lackluster in flavor- I found gristle in a few of the chicken pieces. I have to say it’s the only thing I’ve ever had from Joes that was a disappointment . Perhaps they should consider taking it off the menu if they can’t execute it well?

Seated at the “Chef’s table / counter” allowed us to watch a well choreographed team prepare several menu items for various guests including our order. The assistance with the wine pairing added to the experience. Looking forward to our next time!!

Worth the hype! Experienced a Christmas miracle by snagging the last rez for two on Christmas Eve at Elena’s at 11:30 a.m. Fun seat mates, great staff (thanks Jordan!), delicious craft cocktails, superior ahi tacos and maybe the best Branzino I’ve ever had. My husband loved the pozole - not too spicy. Highly recommend. 💫

We LOVED this restaurant. We sat inside so we couldn’t see the movie, but that wasn’t really an issue. The restaurant itself was stunning. Our server David was absolutely lovely. He really made our experience. The food was great, we got the smoked salmon, burrata with pears, sesame chicken, and pork chop. Everything was delicious. For dessert we got crème brûlée and a sort of chocolate mousse. Fantastic. It’s an expensive date but you pay for the food and the experience. Would go again!

Nopa is a really special place. It does everything SO well. I will start with the food. Their menu stays interesting over time with new dishes regularly introduced with the seasons and what’s seasonally available. The ingredient quality and preparation are really next level and I don’t think there is a single thing on the menu that anyone would not enjoy. The flavor of every dish is always surprising in a wonderful way with interesting combinations and textures. And plating is, of course, just beautiful. And my god, don’t just order one dish per person; share! You will be wowed. Their mainstay burger should not be missed either. If you’re into mixed drinks or wine, again, Nopa is standout. And even if you don’t drink, there are mocktails that I’m confident you’ll enjoy. Next let’s talk about the staff. Nopa has such a special and wonderful culture. Their entire staff is very well versed in the ingredients and preparation of their food. They’re also extremely kind and accommodating. There seems to be a genuine enthusiasm and shared belief that they make great food, and I would agree. They have opinions and can definitely suggest wine and beverage pairings to what you order. They know where ingredients were sourced from. And their attention to detail is also remarkable. I made a note on our reservation that we’d love a table instead of the high table if one came available and true to form, they came through. Someone took time to read the comment I had left! If you have a chance to dine here, take it. Even if you don’t have a reservation, there is a high table and bar area that may be able to accommodate a drop in. It’s a lovely atmosphere and always a joy to be a patron here. Thank you Nopa staff for the unique place you’ve created here.