nopa Kitchen+Bar, a new 160-seat American brasserie in the heart of Penn Quarter. This is the award-winning restaurateur’s eighth restaurant in the nation’s Capitol and it serves American fare with French and Asian influences. The name represents nopa’s location just north of Pennsylvania Avenue and it welcomes guests for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The restaurant offers lively dining in the main dining room, and also offers quieter dining options and several private dining rooms.
Ashok Bajaj worked with James Beard Foundation’s award-nominated restaurant designer Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates of New York to create nopa. Its striking interior is light-filled, and sports a rustic industrial style. The décor features whitewashed exposed brick, rough sawn wood paneling, steel accents and metal task lighting. These strong elements contrast dramatically with the plush fabric on the red banquettes and camel leather arm chairs, which provide comfortable seating around sleek wooden bistro tables.
For private dining, nopa Kitchen+Bar offers three exclusive spaces: a 40-seat dining room with a working fireplace, expansive views and AV capabilities; a 24-seat dining room next to the bar, which also have floor-to-ceiling windows, and a cozy 14-seat dining room for smaller parties.