Our Mission
We are a neighborhood based restaurant designed to attract and comfort those from all over the Bay Area. We serve simple, rustic food created with seasonal ingredients sourced from local purveyors. The sense of community that nopa looks to instill in its co-workers and guests alike begins with taking care of people, contributing something back into the community, and underlying everything we do with a passion for feeding people.
Our People
nopa's chef is Laurence Jossel, a former Chronicle Rising Star Chef who opened Chez Nous with great success in 2000, following stints at La Folie, the Ritz-Carlton with Gary Danko, and Kokkari. His partners in nopa are Allyson Jossel and Jeff Hanak. This trio, who met while all were working for Chow Restaurants, combines years of food and wine experience with outstanding restaurants in the Bay Area.
Our History
nopa opened in 2006, after an extensive renovation of its 4,000 square foot space. Originally built in the 1920's as a bank, 560 Divisadero was later the home of a laundromat and eventually fell into disuse for several years.
The original 12 foot tall windows were restored, a long bar constructed where once there were washing machines, and a new wood-fired brick oven and grill/rotisserie built where bank tellers once stood. The bank vault was reconfigured to serve as nopa's wine cellar.
Local artist Brian Barneclo was commissioned to paint a massive mural celebrating the neighborhood's character and history, beginning with the new, sweeping mezzanine overlooking the space (click here for a video). Other local craftspeople were brought in for some additional finishing touches.
Today, 560 Divisadero once again serves the community — this time as a restaurant, meeting place, and destination serving creative food and drink late into the night.