I’ve been watching 87 Rainey for some time, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting to try No Va Kitchen and Bar since I first saw the TABC notice on the door in May 2012.
Well, it’s finally open, and I had the chance to try it last night. Despite the name, the restaurant / bar concept is a definite go.
So many things to like! First off, there’s a celebrity chef component (Brad Sorenson of The Next Food Network Star fame), AND he’s really friendly! Second, more FOOD on Rainey (which, as a Rainey resident, is very near and dear to my heart and stomach). The food is tasty and not crazy expensive!
Check out the menus here for full pricing, etc.
No Va’s interior is well-designed, clean and crisp from the moment you walk up, designed by Joel Mozersky, and a compliment to the character of the district and the other establishments (even, though, ironically, the name No Va comes from the fact that the design of the house DID NOT GO with the rest of street in 2009, when the owner purchased it.
This is what the house looked like before:
When we went inside, the place had a nice, but quiet buzz to it. Already seated at the bar was the owner of Blackheart, the owner of Bungalow, and a bartender from nearby Clive – which was nice, it felt like the surrounding restaurant community was coming out to support the newest addition to the street.
We took our seats, and ordered our drinks and food from a VERY friendly bartender named Jeremy.
I didn’t have any of the main dishes, but I can tell you, the sides had EXCELLENT flavor and were very yummy. I am expecting good things from the other more substantial dishes next time I go.
After we ate, I took a little tour of the restaurant and snapped some shots of the interior:
All in all, I felt that No Va really delivered, and I’m ECSTATIC to have it in the neighborhood. Great place for a date, a casual night out with friends, or a business happy hour.