I cannot see why this place offers groupon and then looks down on you when you get there. If they think they do not make money on the groupon then simply do not offer groupons!!! We did not even eat here because the bartender was rude and did not seem to want to accommodate us to a more preferable table. A person in my party is in a wheelchair and they are not handicap friendly. In fact, I believe that may have been a factor for the rude greeting was because my friend was in a wheelchair. Think twice before dining here. This place would make a perfect Kitchen Nightmares episode. Probably won't be long anyway!!
(1)
Jared H.
Well, after many weeks, many moons, and maybe even a super moon, the lady and I decided to give this place another shot. As we didn't get a chance to experience the food last visit (just the poor service), I suppose an update might be in order now that we have. Unfortunately, I can't say I have too much positive to report. Now the food wasn't terrible by any means, we both enjoyed the majority of our food, but the experience was still a negative one. We had visited at a very slow time for most restaurants (deliberately), and here we were, in fact, the only people dining in the restaurant at the time (there may have been a couple outside as well, but not in). To our great surprise, our server was none other than the proprietor of the restaurant himself, Mr. David L. David seems to be a very passionate man about his restaurant. A very positive thing. Other reviewers have mentioned how truly sure NOPA is that they are serving a superior product, I can confirm that belief (although I can't agree with it). Unfortunately, he is kind of an arrogant personality (takes one to know one I fear...), and committed one faux pas after another when interacting with us. The first of many was assuming that we were both wine neophytes just because of our age and budget, instructing us with much unsolicited advice on how to appreciate the wine we chose. Given that the lady is a certified Sommelier, we were more than a little annoyed, and slightly offended. I can understand he was likely just trying to be helpful, but his personality is frankly abrasive. Owner aside , our food, as I mentioned , was acceptable. Now it was certainly nothing special, but no glaring issues. You may notice that I upgraded my review from 1 to 2 stars. This is primarily because of the mans passion for his restaurant, and the fact that the food is decent (although for the price, you can find much better in my humble opinion). However, I just can't bring myself to go higher than 2 stars, it is just a strange establishment, with strange ownership. The food is overpriced, I hear nothing but negative reviews (not just from yelp) from other visitors, and I have yet to have a good experience. In addition, the responses of the owner to reviews on Yelp are deeply disturbing and highly un-professional. If I could offer advice, stop the negative attacks. Yelp IS free speech. The restaurant is the problem, not Yelp. Another possibly larger problem is coming into focus, and it is another pesky "Y" word, You.
(2)
Dennis D.
Great service, notable wine list, craft beers (when available), incredible deserts and very satisifying entrees.
(5)
Marcelo A.
We took advantage of the living social deal and had dinner here with some friends. The owner came by and introduced herself. The entire staff was extremely personable and made us feel like we were having dinner at a family members house and not a restaurant. I had the lasagna and although I thought it was strange that it was served with French fries, it was still very good. My wife had the Mediterranean chicken, which looked delicious. The desserts were enormous although a bit dry. It's a great atmosphere and I would go back to try a few other items on the menu.
(4)
Larry B.
Tried this establishment on a Thursday around 7 and was most disappointed. 1. The Resturanut should have been packed being off Park ave in winter park and we were the only people in dining area . Enough with the truffle oil in everything to salads to the French fries. Tomatoes used in salad were not fresh, the $12 steak and cheese was below average and my wife's flat bread was not that good and they specialized in the flat bread. All in all this place will not last . Cheapest glass of wine was $14. Typical poor waiting showed up until after the poor quality food order came out and we had to tract down him down to get our bill. Overall food quality very poor , waiting staff was lack luster and non existent. They did have a decent beer selection on tap but I will not patronize this establishment again and I will make sure to warn all my friends. Just another wine bar getting in on the craze but they need to focus on thing. BE GOOD AT ONE THING. Either the wine or the food. At this point both are suffering.
(1)
King L.
What Is it about Park Avenue? It has to rank just behind Thornton Park and Baldwin Park in the "much ado about nothing" category. These rankings aren't just for Central Florida they are for the entire World. NOPA Grill is a microcosm of everything that is wrong with Winter Park. Quaint, or as quaint as Florida could be with brick streets and lamp posts and a ubiquitous amount of non chain restaurants, I'll give it that, but therein lies the problem: the equation isn't complete until you actually are able to get a good meal. I attempted to complete the equation for the umpteenth time and left Park Avenue with the same emptiness associated with, failed attempt after failed attempt to eat a viable meal. I've had edible but uninspiring food on Park Avenue before, Luna for one, but NOPA grill may have raised the bar on just how low I can sink in terms of failed dining endeavor. The only reason I got drawn into this culinary imbroglio is the false hope of a Groupon. After last night I may never frequent the Groupon web site again and am thinking of suing them. This is tough to relive but here goes. Atmosphere is typical Winter Park, i.e., void of an identity or niche; a conglomerate of wine bottles against the wall, lackluster art, an earth tone paint job and big oversized letters announcing the name of the establishment in South Beach wanna be fashion. Things went south fast upon sitting down. I never got comfortable in the glorified stool and a good meal should be all about comfort. For an appetizer we got the cheese plate. How can you go wrong with a cheese plate? The $14 plate had plenty of cheese, exotic cheese: exotically bad cheese. I don't want cheese that smells like feet or without the inedible wax shell removed. The Grapes were seeded and the walnuts on the plate were clearly refrigerated because they were ridiculously cold. The cheese portion was generous (I'd be trying to get rid of that stuff too) but came with a grand total of three crackers (seems like the table next to us noticed that also as we both asked for more). The next course was the side salad that had a flavorless dressing (so flavorless I cannot even tell you what it was, although the color was brown). How creative: lettuce, a few cucumbers with skin on and some less than ripe tomato and that ever present drizzle which was on everything and added nothing. Things went from bad to worse with the presentation of the rolls. They were drizzled in some oil and vinegar mixture that had the most horrendous and offensive smell and taste of almost anything I have ever tried. The closest thing I could equate to the odor was maybe the pesticide malathion. By the way, the cheapest glass of wine on the menu is actually $10 but yes, it gets worse when you consider the ridiculously cheap pours. I would recommend bringing a flask. As you can guess by this point I was chomping at the bit to try the main course. I ordered the $27 New York Strip steak and my lady friend had grouper. The grouper, all 4 oz., was tough and flavorless and served on a large bed of white rice, the kind you would expect to get in the Florida Hospital cafeteria. My steak is tough to describe without a photograph. It came out with no crust or seasoning and had that oblique greenish look, almost sickly. One glance and you could tell it wasn't cooked. The waiter whisked it away and it returned five minutes later medium rare as I ordered it. It also returned with a giant wad of butter sitting on top of it. Did they forget to plop on the butter the first time, or is this an added bonus, i.e., reward for getting your order wrong? The steak itself was flavorless and low grade. A small section of it was tender enough to cut and chew; a very, very small section. The steak was huge, but most things nobody would want are in large supply. The mashed potatoes were way over mashed to the point where they tasted instant. I had no idea you could make real potatoes taste instant, so this was probably their crowning achievement. The desert was a giant piece of Milky Way Chocolate cake. Our first thought was that the cake was stale but the waiter insisted it was the second piece cut on a fresh cake. Okay, if that is the case fire the baker. The experience was tantamount to trying to swallow a mouthful of saw dust; really, it was that dry and flavorless. Let me sum up the experience in one single word: RUN!!!!!!
(1)
Steve M.
We booked an Amazon Local deal to spend $42 for $84 worth of food and drink. We called to make a reservation on Valentine's Day, and what transpired was the worst customer service I've experienced in a long time. The restaurant decided not to honor their agreement with Amazon Local (see below for details - they claimed that Valentine's Day was a blackout date). They argued with us, would not listen, and hung up on us twice (by the female owner, who refused to give us her name). Needless to say, we cancelled our Amazon Local deal and will never recommend anyone spend their money here. WORST OF THE WORST!!! At NOPA, the skilled chefs dish out "urban rustic food," which means you can expect sophisticated cooking, locally sourced ingredients, and all-around deliciousness: $42 ($84 value) for a prix fixe dinner for two including one appetizer up to $15.50, two entrees up to $19.50 each, one dessert up to $10, and two glasses of house wine up to $10 each $84 ($169 value) for a prix fixe dinner for four including two appetizers up to $15.50 each, four entrees up to $19.50 each, two desserts up to $10 each, and four glasses of house wine up to $10 each $10 for $20 to spend on food and drink at lunch "Judging from our visit on a Friday night, I'd say things are working out quite nicely. This has to be one of the more low-key spots in the area, and if it weren't situated in such close proximity to Park Avenue and its bustle, one might afford the place hidden gem status." - Satisfied Customer Why You'll Love It Start with a delicious appetizer -- we can't get enough of roasted duck legs, sea scallops, and Maryland crab cakes with lemon dill sauce. When it comes to entrees, you'll love classics like lemon pepper flounder, chicken marsala, and homemade lasagna. This place used to be devoted exclusively to wine and desserts, so rest assured you'll find something you love on those fronts. What You Need to Know: Sold by LivingSocial Limit 1 per customer, up to 1 additional as a gift Limit 1 per table per visit Reservations required and subject to availability Excludes happy hour and other specials All services must be redeemed during a single visit by same customer, pair, or group Must be age 21+ with valid ID to consume alcohol Prix-fixe options: valid for appetizers up to $15.50, entrees up to $19.50, desserts up to $10, and glasses of wine up to $10 each Available for use beginning the day after purchase PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES FOLLOWING MAY 05, 2014 PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE Unless otherwise stated in the "What You Need to Know" terms of a deal or required by law, the following terms apply to all vouchers sold by LivingSocial on Amazon Local: No cash value for any voucher. Use of a voucher for alcoholic beverages is at the sole discretion of the merchant (which may be limited by applicable state, provincial or local law). Vouchers cannot be combined with any other coupons or promotions. Vouchers cannot be used for taxes, tips, prior balances, shipping or handling, as applicable. Neither LivingSocial nor the merchant is responsible for lost or stolen vouchers or voucher reference numbers. Duplicate use, sale or trade of a voucher is prohibited. The amount paid for the voucher on Amazon Local does not include sales, value added or use taxes, which may be charged to you separately by the merchant at the time you redeem the voucher.
(1)
Missy W.
Ridiculously good and reasonably priced food and a wonderful wine list. I had the blackened grouper salad and the capri salad appetizer. Enormous portions so I'll be having another meal tomorrow! Try the Freakshow Cabernet. Bold, full bodied and priced right.
(5)
Robert D.
If I could give this place negative stars I most certainly would. I don't know which is worse, the location or the horrible service (or lack thereof). I heard about this place through Groupon. I checked what time they closed (10:00) before taking my wife out to Park Ave.. We arrived around 9:30, and they refused service. I also had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting the owner. He said we should've arrived sooner and that they were already closed and there was nothing he could do when clearly there were other people still dining inside. If you refuse service at 9:30, then close your restaurant at 9:30. Who in their right mind turns down potential business? After this experience I was almost positive I wouldn't ever go there again. I'm a reasonable person, so I figured why not give this place another try? I still had my Groupon after all. I called them to make a reservation, but (surprise surprise) was turned down yet again. They said that they were not accepting the Groupon at this time and were charging a $35 entry fee per person. I'm not going to tell you how to run your restaurant, but when your establishment is in the very back sliver of Park Ave., you should probably take any customers you can. Every aspect of this place is disappointing and pitiful. Save your money and your time, do not dine here.
(1)
Mark A.
My wife and I saw a Living Social offer for this restaurant, so decided to give them a try. We started with a glass of wine each (Moscato), which was quite tasty. Worth noting that this is also a wine-shop, so you can buy bottles of any wines you particularly enjoy during your meal. Our appetizer cheese-plate arrived, sans crackers. We got the waiters attention, and he brought us a plate of crackers to go with it. A good amount of options on the plate (4 different cheeses, candied walnuts, strawberries, and concord grapes). Next a plate with warm rolls over sweetened vinaigrette, accompanying our salads. Rolls were good, salad was a bit anemic, but other than that ok. It took a bit for our main course to come out, but not an unreasonable amount of time. My rib-eye steak was cooked perfectly, though my wife's burger was cooked medium when she asked for it very well done. The waiter took it back, had it cooked a bit more and returned promptly. My wife enjoyed the burger, and thought that it was superbly flavorful (unusual for a burger). By the time we finished our entrees, we were both too stuffed for dessert (which was included in the LS deal), so we got it to go. Later that night we enjoyed part of the cake (one portion is size enough for two by far!). While we had ours to go, I saw others have theirs at the restaurant; I think it would be nice to have some kind of accoutrements (chocolate/caramel drizzle, ice cream, or fresh fruit), as it was really just a piece of cake on a plate otherwise. Service - Jay & Blake (the proprietors) were very passionate about the restaurant & food, which is what pushed my rating from a 3 to a 4. I like supporting local establishments, and you could tell how much they cared for the place, and how much they appreciated their customers. Jay was our waiter, and he was very attentive to our needs, and made great recommendations. There were a few food-prep missteps, but nothing that ruined the meal. It would have been nice to have someone tell us which cheeses (on the cheese plate) were which (more of a note to staff, should they be reading this). Food Quantity - The rib-eye was huge. My wife's burger was decently sized. Salads were a bit small. Cheese plate was a good size. Wine pour was good. Food Quality - That's what they pride themselves on. Everything was good, very fresh. Ambiance - Everything was simple and neat, with a bit of a hipster vibe. I felt there was good space between the tables, so we weren't right on top of each other (which is something I value). The chairs could use a bit more cushion. It was a brisk (i.e. cold) night out, and they left the door open, and our table happened to be closer to the front, so it was a bit chilly. Price - We had a discount voucher, which brought the cost of our meal down. The steak was $30, which is a bit steep, but it was a good sized portion (18oz). I think if they offered a smaller cut for a bit less, that may draw more customers to it. This was also the most expensive option on the menu. Everything seemed reasonably priced, with most entrees under $20. As mentioned above, there were a few minor hiccups, but nothing tremendous. The staff is very friendly/welcoming, and passionate. It's a nice place, and I'd definitely recommend giving them a try if you're in the area.
(4)
Jen L.
Great atmosphere! They really know their wine, as a vegan I love the stallion Flatbread :)
We had a large party and they set us up at a round table and a square table so it was very weird and uncomfortable for the people in between. The portions and quantity of meat do not match their prices, $15 for a flat bread with 2 ounces of chicken. The chicken was very dried out a chewy. I also had high expectations for desert since it was $10 a pop. I pictured a made-to-order/hot fresh melt in your mouth desert, but instead it was just cold and came straight out of their refrigerator. The chef did a good job at explaining the specials and the staff was very fun and uplifting. The server was very attentive but was a little over the top and tried selling us some sort of snapper fish and carrot cake which seemed odd and made everyone laugh. I assume he was trying to "up-sell" them because they were about to go bad? Not a terrible place I wouldn't eat there again with a large party. Seems like they accommodate parties of 6 and under. Quality wasn't bad and taste was good but over priced for the quantity of food you get.
(2)
Falini S.
I made a late night trip here for some dessert and drinks, and I'm glad I did! I started out with a beer, and then moved on to some incredible Rose; I can't wait to buy the bottle! Dessert was served in a fishbowl- an absolutely delicious Tres leches cake. The bartenders and servers were all SO friendly to us, and they knew so much about the beer and wine industry! It really is a great atmosphere, I'm definitely going back this summer for some food and a great time. The perfect spot for a fun but still relaxing date night!
(5)
Jeff K.
This is clearly a situation where in most cases, your rating will vary based heavily on what you order. Overall, our experience was a good one -- the restaurant is clean and attractively decorated and our limited interaction with the staff was friendly (not to say that they weren't attentive; we just only dealt with one person throughout our meal, and a second person only very briefly). There's a decent lunch selection, with some normally priced items, and a "Lunch Box" section where every meal is $12.50. The Homemade Cheese Lasagna was very good, certainly the highlight of the meal. The "Butcher's Best Kept Secret Flap Steak" was the disappointment; it tasted fine, but it was just a small piece (maybe 4 oz) of grilled flap steak on a plate with fries (see photo). Side note: I'm a sucker for fries, and these are good fries. The beer selection here is nothing like it was "back in the day", but there is pretty much something for everyone. It should be noted that in some cases the pricing skews a little high -- generally the Lunch Box specials aren't too bad at that $12.50 price point, but any of the sandwiches/burgers outside of that section are served without a side and range from $8.50 to $13.50. Any side, no matter how inexpensive to prepare, will cost you an additional $5. That includes fries, onion rings, a baked potato, and even cole slaw or a side salad. So your already too expensive $12.50 Grilled Chicken BLT becomes a $17.50 meal if you want anything on the side. My recommendation would be to stick with something that's a slightly better value to begin with (like the $8.50 lamb burger) so the addition of a $5 side hurts a little less. They also make heavy use of Living Social and Groupon deals, so that can help ease the sting. All in all, it's worth a return visit for me.
(3)
Kendra Y.
My husband and I are Groupon frequenters and were excited to visit a new place, and on Park Ave at that! Great ambiance! Lovely (and prompt) service! Food was great (& I can be a little picky)! I probably wouldn't go here without a Groupon, but, we're pretty frugal when it comes to eating out, so we don't usually eat anywhere without some sort of discount deal. Not considering our frugality, I would say the prices are average for the high quality of food they produce. I've noticed some bad reviews, but I would urge people to give this place a try. I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this place. Had: Duck & Waffles appetizer - yummy! A bit odd but I also think chicken & waffles is odd. Came w/ a savory and sweet raspberry drizzle. & Scallop & lobster mac entree - amAZing! Scallops a little over done, but it's inevitable when you're baking them in. SO savory, great amount of cheese & lobster! Talking about it makes me want to go back! Yummyyyyyyyy
(5)
Tyrone R.
No stars, the owner is extremely racist and rude. Food is just ok and overpriced, service just plain sucks. There is not much more to say!
(1)
Heather T.
With a Groupon, this place is excellent!! Without...a little pricey. My boyfriend and I went with a Groupon for a date night and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at NOPA. Boom boom shrimp: although this standard dish is hard to do poorly, the sauce was a standout, and the breading was done perfectly! Huge shrimp, delicious appetizer. Side note: They were also serving Duck Legs and Waffles as a special appetizer that I could not be coerced into trying, but I thought that was unusual and fun! Filet: Great cut of steak, cooked exactly medium rare. The potato medley was beautiful and delicious! Truffle Fries: Pretty much some of the best truffle fries ever. And they were freshly made. Lamb Chops: Good portion, well cooked. All the desserts looked good, but we settled on the special: Fried Banana Cheesecake with caramel ice cream. Like a buttery Banana's Foster burrito. I wanted to lick the plate afterwards. All in all, a great meal, but I would not have gone to this restaurant and spent $125 on the food we ordered. The staff was very friendly and service was great. Might try back for lunch.
(4)
Foodie O.
Ive been here twice and both times I left disappointed. Service has been lousy both times and I find it to be loud and overpriced. I visited last night and ordered a glass of zinfandel at the bar. The barman poured the last bit of one bottle into my glass then finished it off with a new fresh bottle (which is fine). Unfortunately, the old bottle- must have been opened a LONG time and my wine tasted pretty bad. Not wanting to be a pain, I didn't ask for a new glass, but I should have... upon finishing my glass it was so full old chunky wine gunk at the bottom I was disgusted. Our waitress didn't seem to notice- and I take ti this place doesn't care much in general. I am NEVER coming back- there are much better places in the area.
(2)
Marie M.
Cute place, I only had drinks and french fries but I definitly want to come back and try the fresh fish (yum!)
(3)
Susan L.
Since the owner responded in such a hostile manner through yelp I have lowered the stars. It seems that if you do not give them a glorius review he feels he can verbally attack you
(1)
Betty S.
Way over priced for the money!! My son ordered the fried chicken sandwich, we were expecting a fried chicken breast, it simply was a Tyson frozen chicken patty (like the one's they serve in high school, it came with no side dish and it cost $14.50, a footlong hotdog cost $12.50 again with no side. However, if you would like a side of fries it's only $6.00. If you like to pay for bland over priced food, this is the place for you, such a bummer.
(1)
Ana B.
Amazing service. The servers and owners are so incredibly nice and welcoming. Try the lobster burger and truffle fries, it is out if this world
(5)
John O.
My wife and I have been visiting this place since it was Called Divas. We live in Deltona and like to go to Dinner from Time to Time in Winter Park. We would always stop in for a glass of Wine and There Desserts Especially the Carrot Cake and Tres Leches they were amazing. This past Weekend both Of us went there again and Ordered a Carrot Cake and Something of a Cake called A Marble with Chocolate Mousse . Soon as we tried the cake we both looked at each other and definitely noticed a huge difference in the taste. It was Awful and Tasted Like a Box of Sugar. We asked the waiter right away if these were the same desserts they claimed Grandma Made from Before and he said they were. Well Something must be seriously wrong with Grandma because the Cake tasted Awful as if it was made out of a Box. Anyway for someone to spend over $20.00 on two slices of cake and be served something terrible should be noticed. Never going back to this place again. We tried asking for a Refund but were completely ignored.
(1)
Ben R.
Came here for dinner on a Thursday night. I had a glass of wine with a healthy pour. It was a Malbec for $12 and was great. For my entree, Lasagna. It was delicious. I think I got the piece from the pan edge because it was a bit crunchy - the best part! The bartender was conversational, as he was engaging a couple at the bar. Seating was comfortable and their outdoor section would be perfect in the spring and summer. It's worth a visit. Check out their happy hour specials.
(4)
Shauna B.
FRIENDLY CHILL PLACE. Don't listen to the other negative reviews. This was a fantastic restaurant! The owners are so nice and easy to talk to. We had the Duck and Waffles along with a glass of wine and a beer. The atmosphere is pretty chill and a perfect little spot to stop and eat and grab a bite. Will be back every time I am in town. Great place. Friendly staff. Yummy food. :o)
(5)
Lindsay W.
Updated 8/11/2014: I am extremely disappointed that a restaurant owner would respond to a Yelp review in the manner applied below. Especially when many of his concerns are clearly addressed. My reservation was on Valentines Day, as indicated in my review and by a verified check-in. I actually booked a table via Yelp and OpenTable.com for that evening. I utilize my real name as a Yelp Elite and a current photo of myself which can be verified across my other social media pages. I realize that some who review other businesses may not take the time and careful consideration to give a business the adequate time and elecution they may desire, but the average Yelp user is also not a professional reviewer. For professional reviews, you should seek out the media, not a local review site. I will not downgrade my rating, as I still believe it is a fair representation of my experience that evening, but you certainly will not see any more check-ins from me here, nor updated reviews. Also, as someone who has a bit of experience in the legal industry, but is not an attorney, I'd strongly encourage the owners and management cease posts like these if they wish to purse legal action until they actually speak to legal counsel, as I can't see how any competent attorney would endorse blaspheming restaurant patrons under pending litigation.
(2)
Ted C.
My wife bought a Living Social deal for $42 for an $84.50 value. You could select (2) $10 glasses of wine, (1) $15.50 appetizer, (2) $19.50 entrees and (1) $10 dessert. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation and were greeted shortly after we entered by a gentleman, I presume one of the owners. He asked if we had reservations and when we said yes, he asked us to have a seat a the small bar-like area near the front door. We would've liked to have been asked if we wanted to order a drink, but there was no bartender or server. No big deal, because our table was ready within 10 minutes. The same fellow escorted us to a table for 2 near the kitchen. **NOTE TO STAFF** The customers in the dining area can hear all of your complaining under your breath as you storm to and from the kitchen area** We were then greeted by a young lady who asked if we'd like water and she gave us menus. We explained that we had the voucher and we asked if there were any restrictions. She said that there were no restrictions, we could order anything off of the menu that we liked. I thought that was a nice perk, not all LS deals allow that! A third, yet gruff, server then stopped by to collect our LS deal code. It seemed like this is where our evening really took a turn for the worse. None of the people that we encountered told us who they were or that they would be "our" server. This 3rd lady seemed to be one of the owners too. She seemed annoyed that we were part of the LS deal. Before she left our table, she asked if we'd like red or white wine. I actually felt like those were my only choices, and was bummed since I could see that they seemed to have a decent selection of wines. Now I realize that I probably could've asked for an upgrade, but isn't it her job to offer or "up sell" me? She also took our order for the calamari app. So we sat for some time before we flagged down one of the servers to tell them we'd like to place our dinner order. They immediately brought us bread with oil and balsamic vinegar, which helped stave our hunger. Quickly, our entrees were on the table. I ordered the rib eye and my wife ordered a salad with fish atop it. My rib eye was served with french fries, which I thought was a little odd, but whatever. Once we finished our meal, we had to waive down someone to let them know we'd like dessert. We asked for the options and the older lady told us to look at the case to see what they still had. Nice customer service skills! Anyway, we decided on a delicious tira misu cake. But about halfway through the cake she returned to drop off our bill when we realized we never received the calamari app. She joked and asked us if we wanted it at that point, but we were not amused. After all we prepaid for this. She offered no explanation as to how she was going to rectify this misstep. Instead, she returned with an altered bill that was supposed to make it all good. She took off the app, but never made a peace offering...like a piece of cake to take home for later (tomorrow), 10% off our next visit, etc. So here is the deal, they charge you for what you ordered, hit you with an 18% gratuity and then subtract the $84 as a coupon. While this seems fair at first, you actually get screwed because they don't really care about providing good service at this point because their tip is guaranteed. I questioned the method and the gruff female owner snapped back that it is listed that way on the LS deal. I wasn't about to argue because I'm sure it was listed and I could see that she wasn't in the mood for making us happy, I would simply just not return to NOPA. It seems from the reviews that the LS deals have brought NOPA more customers (like it is designed to). It is just too bad that NOPA hasn't figured out how to make those new customers fans and repeat customers.
(1)
Kristin C.
The food was good: we tried several appetizers, drinks and an entree, the duck and waffles was hands down our favorite. Our server Jonathan was fantastic, but the poor rating is a result of ownership. Racist. This is my first ever yelp review and my husband and I were so taken back by the blatant disreguard toward only our table that I felt the need to post. We were only one of four tables sat during our dinner experience. The owner moved and interacted with all the other 10 guests following up on their experience and making suggestions...should I mention the other tables she sweetly interacted with were all of white ethnicity. She did bring one of our plates to our table and slammed it down and hurried away with out even noticing we needed plates to share the dish or even looking at us. The dish she brought was a still cold under cooked pork chop. Jonathan was very attentive to read our concern and sent it back immediately to finish cooking. Not even 5 minutes later the table next to us also was displeased with a dish...this white couple recieved her immediate attention and concern. We do not expect to be greeted by an owner when we dine...however when we could see her watching and observing and interacting pleasantly with the other three tables and avoiding ours...it raises concern...And since she made it a point to follow up with the table right next to us with a food issue as well and not follow up with us it made us feel very uncomfortable. We dine out often and understand when busy establishments can lack in personal attention...but this place was not busy and she had time to interact with all her white customers...If she does not want certain ethnicities dining within her place I suggest a sign on the door out front clarifying.
(1)
Patricia B.
We loved the wine list, lasagne is 5*... service was excellent and gracious. Dessert... yummy. Bar area is cozy... has a heart beat. Only negative for me was I found the tables/chairs higher than traditional and stiff of which I never completely relaxed.
(4)
Kathrine C.
Tries to be upscale, but misses the mark. Worth Livingsocial price, but I wouldn't return to pay full price. **Edited 8-11-14: The rambling, barely coherent rant against yelp that the owner left as a comment on my review and other people's reviews was also messaged to me by him through yelp's messages, followed by threatening, "see you in court" Downgraded from 3 to 2 stars for the harassment.
(2)
Solomon F.
I spoke this owner and he was the most rude person I have ever dealt with. I called to see if he could accommodate a party of 6 aside based from the Groupon deal special for 4, he said for us to come in eat for free, drink 2 bottles of wine then call his wife and daughter and tell them why he cant support them. WTF ? There is a certain way of telling a potential customer NO or can't not make changes to an existing deal but he was an asshole and this will not be the last reivew I write on the place. I will NEVER eat here or refer anyone I know to eat. Sad b/c I work in WP. His loss!
(1)
Moray W.
Since I am disinclined to be persuaded by the reviews of other diners, understanding that there are many factors at play when evaluating a dining experience, I came to this restaurant relatively unbiased in spite of the many negative comments. The atmosphere was quite pleasing with modern, minimalist decor and the wait staff was very friendly and the food presentation was special as well. The factor that prevented me from a higher rating was the food itself. My $12. burger which I ordered medium rare was overcooked and the second try undercooked. As it was pricey for a burger with no fries, I expected it to be cooked properly and was disappointed for that reason.Was not especially fond of having brisket meat combined with chuck which gave the few bites I had of the burger a taste I did not like. Not sure about returning.
(3)
Kim K.
My husband and I ate here for the first time last night and loved every minute of it! It's a family affair and it is heartwarming to see a family working together to make their customers' experience a good one. Loved the friendliness of Blake the bartender (son) and parents. The food was delicious and very generous portions to say the least. We can't wait to go back, thank you. Kim and John
(4)
Tyler P.
We came in after the remodel. The place looks nice. The Groupon deal is good, but if you didn't have a groupon this place is 25% over priced. Most of the food was above average, but the server (wife of the owner) gave me lasagna when I ordered shrimp and crab ravioli. I ate it anyway because she raved about it. Subpar lasagna and cake. My wife's steak was great.
(4)
Jim F.
very friendly staff. Great l location. Gyro was fresh and awesome.
(4)
Apu N.
Been here there three times. Twice with a wine group once for a birthday party. First wine group time very impressed, fun night. Second time on a birthday party. Crazy expensive for grocery store wine. Third time all the employees were grumpy as hell, not sure why because I'm sure we were the most business they have had in a while. They also jumped on top of friends that showed up just for a glass but didn't want to do the wine group thing. Not sure why this place keeps changing it name but aggree with other guy this place won't last. Oh and goofy owner, don't respond it makes you look desperate
(2)
Erin B.
Amazing food and staff!!! Everything is home made. Great happy hour deals, amazing deserts. New favorite place off park ave.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Dessert Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Ryan C.
I cannot see why this place offers groupon and then looks down on you when you get there. If they think they do not make money on the groupon then simply do not offer groupons!!! We did not even eat here because the bartender was rude and did not seem to want to accommodate us to a more preferable table. A person in my party is in a wheelchair and they are not handicap friendly. In fact, I believe that may have been a factor for the rude greeting was because my friend was in a wheelchair. Think twice before dining here. This place would make a perfect Kitchen Nightmares episode. Probably won't be long anyway!!
(1)Jared H.
Well, after many weeks, many moons, and maybe even a super moon, the lady and I decided to give this place another shot. As we didn't get a chance to experience the food last visit (just the poor service), I suppose an update might be in order now that we have. Unfortunately, I can't say I have too much positive to report. Now the food wasn't terrible by any means, we both enjoyed the majority of our food, but the experience was still a negative one. We had visited at a very slow time for most restaurants (deliberately), and here we were, in fact, the only people dining in the restaurant at the time (there may have been a couple outside as well, but not in). To our great surprise, our server was none other than the proprietor of the restaurant himself, Mr. David L. David seems to be a very passionate man about his restaurant. A very positive thing. Other reviewers have mentioned how truly sure NOPA is that they are serving a superior product, I can confirm that belief (although I can't agree with it). Unfortunately, he is kind of an arrogant personality (takes one to know one I fear...), and committed one faux pas after another when interacting with us. The first of many was assuming that we were both wine neophytes just because of our age and budget, instructing us with much unsolicited advice on how to appreciate the wine we chose. Given that the lady is a certified Sommelier, we were more than a little annoyed, and slightly offended. I can understand he was likely just trying to be helpful, but his personality is frankly abrasive. Owner aside , our food, as I mentioned , was acceptable. Now it was certainly nothing special, but no glaring issues. You may notice that I upgraded my review from 1 to 2 stars. This is primarily because of the mans passion for his restaurant, and the fact that the food is decent (although for the price, you can find much better in my humble opinion). However, I just can't bring myself to go higher than 2 stars, it is just a strange establishment, with strange ownership. The food is overpriced, I hear nothing but negative reviews (not just from yelp) from other visitors, and I have yet to have a good experience. In addition, the responses of the owner to reviews on Yelp are deeply disturbing and highly un-professional. If I could offer advice, stop the negative attacks. Yelp IS free speech. The restaurant is the problem, not Yelp. Another possibly larger problem is coming into focus, and it is another pesky "Y" word, You.
(2)Dennis D.
Great service, notable wine list, craft beers (when available), incredible deserts and very satisifying entrees.
(5)Marcelo A.
We took advantage of the living social deal and had dinner here with some friends. The owner came by and introduced herself. The entire staff was extremely personable and made us feel like we were having dinner at a family members house and not a restaurant. I had the lasagna and although I thought it was strange that it was served with French fries, it was still very good. My wife had the Mediterranean chicken, which looked delicious. The desserts were enormous although a bit dry. It's a great atmosphere and I would go back to try a few other items on the menu.
(4)Larry B.
Tried this establishment on a Thursday around 7 and was most disappointed. 1. The Resturanut should have been packed being off Park ave in winter park and we were the only people in dining area . Enough with the truffle oil in everything to salads to the French fries. Tomatoes used in salad were not fresh, the $12 steak and cheese was below average and my wife's flat bread was not that good and they specialized in the flat bread. All in all this place will not last . Cheapest glass of wine was $14. Typical poor waiting showed up until after the poor quality food order came out and we had to tract down him down to get our bill. Overall food quality very poor , waiting staff was lack luster and non existent. They did have a decent beer selection on tap but I will not patronize this establishment again and I will make sure to warn all my friends. Just another wine bar getting in on the craze but they need to focus on thing. BE GOOD AT ONE THING. Either the wine or the food. At this point both are suffering.
(1)King L.
What Is it about Park Avenue? It has to rank just behind Thornton Park and Baldwin Park in the "much ado about nothing" category. These rankings aren't just for Central Florida they are for the entire World. NOPA Grill is a microcosm of everything that is wrong with Winter Park. Quaint, or as quaint as Florida could be with brick streets and lamp posts and a ubiquitous amount of non chain restaurants, I'll give it that, but therein lies the problem: the equation isn't complete until you actually are able to get a good meal. I attempted to complete the equation for the umpteenth time and left Park Avenue with the same emptiness associated with, failed attempt after failed attempt to eat a viable meal. I've had edible but uninspiring food on Park Avenue before, Luna for one, but NOPA grill may have raised the bar on just how low I can sink in terms of failed dining endeavor. The only reason I got drawn into this culinary imbroglio is the false hope of a Groupon. After last night I may never frequent the Groupon web site again and am thinking of suing them. This is tough to relive but here goes. Atmosphere is typical Winter Park, i.e., void of an identity or niche; a conglomerate of wine bottles against the wall, lackluster art, an earth tone paint job and big oversized letters announcing the name of the establishment in South Beach wanna be fashion. Things went south fast upon sitting down. I never got comfortable in the glorified stool and a good meal should be all about comfort. For an appetizer we got the cheese plate. How can you go wrong with a cheese plate? The $14 plate had plenty of cheese, exotic cheese: exotically bad cheese. I don't want cheese that smells like feet or without the inedible wax shell removed. The Grapes were seeded and the walnuts on the plate were clearly refrigerated because they were ridiculously cold. The cheese portion was generous (I'd be trying to get rid of that stuff too) but came with a grand total of three crackers (seems like the table next to us noticed that also as we both asked for more). The next course was the side salad that had a flavorless dressing (so flavorless I cannot even tell you what it was, although the color was brown). How creative: lettuce, a few cucumbers with skin on and some less than ripe tomato and that ever present drizzle which was on everything and added nothing. Things went from bad to worse with the presentation of the rolls. They were drizzled in some oil and vinegar mixture that had the most horrendous and offensive smell and taste of almost anything I have ever tried. The closest thing I could equate to the odor was maybe the pesticide malathion. By the way, the cheapest glass of wine on the menu is actually $10 but yes, it gets worse when you consider the ridiculously cheap pours. I would recommend bringing a flask. As you can guess by this point I was chomping at the bit to try the main course. I ordered the $27 New York Strip steak and my lady friend had grouper. The grouper, all 4 oz., was tough and flavorless and served on a large bed of white rice, the kind you would expect to get in the Florida Hospital cafeteria. My steak is tough to describe without a photograph. It came out with no crust or seasoning and had that oblique greenish look, almost sickly. One glance and you could tell it wasn't cooked. The waiter whisked it away and it returned five minutes later medium rare as I ordered it. It also returned with a giant wad of butter sitting on top of it. Did they forget to plop on the butter the first time, or is this an added bonus, i.e., reward for getting your order wrong? The steak itself was flavorless and low grade. A small section of it was tender enough to cut and chew; a very, very small section. The steak was huge, but most things nobody would want are in large supply. The mashed potatoes were way over mashed to the point where they tasted instant. I had no idea you could make real potatoes taste instant, so this was probably their crowning achievement. The desert was a giant piece of Milky Way Chocolate cake. Our first thought was that the cake was stale but the waiter insisted it was the second piece cut on a fresh cake. Okay, if that is the case fire the baker. The experience was tantamount to trying to swallow a mouthful of saw dust; really, it was that dry and flavorless. Let me sum up the experience in one single word: RUN!!!!!!
(1)Steve M.
We booked an Amazon Local deal to spend $42 for $84 worth of food and drink. We called to make a reservation on Valentine's Day, and what transpired was the worst customer service I've experienced in a long time. The restaurant decided not to honor their agreement with Amazon Local (see below for details - they claimed that Valentine's Day was a blackout date). They argued with us, would not listen, and hung up on us twice (by the female owner, who refused to give us her name). Needless to say, we cancelled our Amazon Local deal and will never recommend anyone spend their money here. WORST OF THE WORST!!! At NOPA, the skilled chefs dish out "urban rustic food," which means you can expect sophisticated cooking, locally sourced ingredients, and all-around deliciousness: $42 ($84 value) for a prix fixe dinner for two including one appetizer up to $15.50, two entrees up to $19.50 each, one dessert up to $10, and two glasses of house wine up to $10 each $84 ($169 value) for a prix fixe dinner for four including two appetizers up to $15.50 each, four entrees up to $19.50 each, two desserts up to $10 each, and four glasses of house wine up to $10 each $10 for $20 to spend on food and drink at lunch "Judging from our visit on a Friday night, I'd say things are working out quite nicely. This has to be one of the more low-key spots in the area, and if it weren't situated in such close proximity to Park Avenue and its bustle, one might afford the place hidden gem status." - Satisfied Customer Why You'll Love It Start with a delicious appetizer -- we can't get enough of roasted duck legs, sea scallops, and Maryland crab cakes with lemon dill sauce. When it comes to entrees, you'll love classics like lemon pepper flounder, chicken marsala, and homemade lasagna. This place used to be devoted exclusively to wine and desserts, so rest assured you'll find something you love on those fronts. What You Need to Know: Sold by LivingSocial Limit 1 per customer, up to 1 additional as a gift Limit 1 per table per visit Reservations required and subject to availability Excludes happy hour and other specials All services must be redeemed during a single visit by same customer, pair, or group Must be age 21+ with valid ID to consume alcohol Prix-fixe options: valid for appetizers up to $15.50, entrees up to $19.50, desserts up to $10, and glasses of wine up to $10 each Available for use beginning the day after purchase PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES FOLLOWING MAY 05, 2014 PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE Unless otherwise stated in the "What You Need to Know" terms of a deal or required by law, the following terms apply to all vouchers sold by LivingSocial on Amazon Local: No cash value for any voucher. Use of a voucher for alcoholic beverages is at the sole discretion of the merchant (which may be limited by applicable state, provincial or local law). Vouchers cannot be combined with any other coupons or promotions. Vouchers cannot be used for taxes, tips, prior balances, shipping or handling, as applicable. Neither LivingSocial nor the merchant is responsible for lost or stolen vouchers or voucher reference numbers. Duplicate use, sale or trade of a voucher is prohibited. The amount paid for the voucher on Amazon Local does not include sales, value added or use taxes, which may be charged to you separately by the merchant at the time you redeem the voucher.
(1)Missy W.
Ridiculously good and reasonably priced food and a wonderful wine list. I had the blackened grouper salad and the capri salad appetizer. Enormous portions so I'll be having another meal tomorrow! Try the Freakshow Cabernet. Bold, full bodied and priced right.
(5)Robert D.
If I could give this place negative stars I most certainly would. I don't know which is worse, the location or the horrible service (or lack thereof). I heard about this place through Groupon. I checked what time they closed (10:00) before taking my wife out to Park Ave.. We arrived around 9:30, and they refused service. I also had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting the owner. He said we should've arrived sooner and that they were already closed and there was nothing he could do when clearly there were other people still dining inside. If you refuse service at 9:30, then close your restaurant at 9:30. Who in their right mind turns down potential business? After this experience I was almost positive I wouldn't ever go there again. I'm a reasonable person, so I figured why not give this place another try? I still had my Groupon after all. I called them to make a reservation, but (surprise surprise) was turned down yet again. They said that they were not accepting the Groupon at this time and were charging a $35 entry fee per person. I'm not going to tell you how to run your restaurant, but when your establishment is in the very back sliver of Park Ave., you should probably take any customers you can. Every aspect of this place is disappointing and pitiful. Save your money and your time, do not dine here.
(1)Mark A.
My wife and I saw a Living Social offer for this restaurant, so decided to give them a try. We started with a glass of wine each (Moscato), which was quite tasty. Worth noting that this is also a wine-shop, so you can buy bottles of any wines you particularly enjoy during your meal. Our appetizer cheese-plate arrived, sans crackers. We got the waiters attention, and he brought us a plate of crackers to go with it. A good amount of options on the plate (4 different cheeses, candied walnuts, strawberries, and concord grapes). Next a plate with warm rolls over sweetened vinaigrette, accompanying our salads. Rolls were good, salad was a bit anemic, but other than that ok. It took a bit for our main course to come out, but not an unreasonable amount of time. My rib-eye steak was cooked perfectly, though my wife's burger was cooked medium when she asked for it very well done. The waiter took it back, had it cooked a bit more and returned promptly. My wife enjoyed the burger, and thought that it was superbly flavorful (unusual for a burger). By the time we finished our entrees, we were both too stuffed for dessert (which was included in the LS deal), so we got it to go. Later that night we enjoyed part of the cake (one portion is size enough for two by far!). While we had ours to go, I saw others have theirs at the restaurant; I think it would be nice to have some kind of accoutrements (chocolate/caramel drizzle, ice cream, or fresh fruit), as it was really just a piece of cake on a plate otherwise. Service - Jay & Blake (the proprietors) were very passionate about the restaurant & food, which is what pushed my rating from a 3 to a 4. I like supporting local establishments, and you could tell how much they cared for the place, and how much they appreciated their customers. Jay was our waiter, and he was very attentive to our needs, and made great recommendations. There were a few food-prep missteps, but nothing that ruined the meal. It would have been nice to have someone tell us which cheeses (on the cheese plate) were which (more of a note to staff, should they be reading this). Food Quantity - The rib-eye was huge. My wife's burger was decently sized. Salads were a bit small. Cheese plate was a good size. Wine pour was good. Food Quality - That's what they pride themselves on. Everything was good, very fresh. Ambiance - Everything was simple and neat, with a bit of a hipster vibe. I felt there was good space between the tables, so we weren't right on top of each other (which is something I value). The chairs could use a bit more cushion. It was a brisk (i.e. cold) night out, and they left the door open, and our table happened to be closer to the front, so it was a bit chilly. Price - We had a discount voucher, which brought the cost of our meal down. The steak was $30, which is a bit steep, but it was a good sized portion (18oz). I think if they offered a smaller cut for a bit less, that may draw more customers to it. This was also the most expensive option on the menu. Everything seemed reasonably priced, with most entrees under $20. As mentioned above, there were a few minor hiccups, but nothing tremendous. The staff is very friendly/welcoming, and passionate. It's a nice place, and I'd definitely recommend giving them a try if you're in the area.
(4)Jen L.
Great atmosphere! They really know their wine, as a vegan I love the stallion Flatbread :)
(5)Casselberry C.
My fiancé and I grabbed a couple burgers here after some Park Ave shopping and luckily forgot to check Yelp first. I signed on to write a positive review and given the atmosphere and terrific food was shocked to see such harsh reviews. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but that's because of the quality of the meat. This is not an Applebee's burger or a Subway sandwich, so it is going to cost you more than 5 bucks (burgers are $12.50). This is delicious choice meat (short rib, brisket, and chuck), and if you know your food, you can see that it makes a noticeable difference in taste. My only suggestion to the restaurant would be to have the fries come with the burger, and not be an additional cost. Perfect place to grab a quick a quality burger and drink, and support a local family business. Different members of the family were all working and seemed genuinely happy we stopped in.
(4)Ashley G.
We had a large party and they set us up at a round table and a square table so it was very weird and uncomfortable for the people in between. The portions and quantity of meat do not match their prices, $15 for a flat bread with 2 ounces of chicken. The chicken was very dried out a chewy. I also had high expectations for desert since it was $10 a pop. I pictured a made-to-order/hot fresh melt in your mouth desert, but instead it was just cold and came straight out of their refrigerator. The chef did a good job at explaining the specials and the staff was very fun and uplifting. The server was very attentive but was a little over the top and tried selling us some sort of snapper fish and carrot cake which seemed odd and made everyone laugh. I assume he was trying to "up-sell" them because they were about to go bad? Not a terrible place I wouldn't eat there again with a large party. Seems like they accommodate parties of 6 and under. Quality wasn't bad and taste was good but over priced for the quantity of food you get.
(2)Falini S.
I made a late night trip here for some dessert and drinks, and I'm glad I did! I started out with a beer, and then moved on to some incredible Rose; I can't wait to buy the bottle! Dessert was served in a fishbowl- an absolutely delicious Tres leches cake. The bartenders and servers were all SO friendly to us, and they knew so much about the beer and wine industry! It really is a great atmosphere, I'm definitely going back this summer for some food and a great time. The perfect spot for a fun but still relaxing date night!
(5)Jeff K.
This is clearly a situation where in most cases, your rating will vary based heavily on what you order. Overall, our experience was a good one -- the restaurant is clean and attractively decorated and our limited interaction with the staff was friendly (not to say that they weren't attentive; we just only dealt with one person throughout our meal, and a second person only very briefly). There's a decent lunch selection, with some normally priced items, and a "Lunch Box" section where every meal is $12.50. The Homemade Cheese Lasagna was very good, certainly the highlight of the meal. The "Butcher's Best Kept Secret Flap Steak" was the disappointment; it tasted fine, but it was just a small piece (maybe 4 oz) of grilled flap steak on a plate with fries (see photo). Side note: I'm a sucker for fries, and these are good fries. The beer selection here is nothing like it was "back in the day", but there is pretty much something for everyone. It should be noted that in some cases the pricing skews a little high -- generally the Lunch Box specials aren't too bad at that $12.50 price point, but any of the sandwiches/burgers outside of that section are served without a side and range from $8.50 to $13.50. Any side, no matter how inexpensive to prepare, will cost you an additional $5. That includes fries, onion rings, a baked potato, and even cole slaw or a side salad. So your already too expensive $12.50 Grilled Chicken BLT becomes a $17.50 meal if you want anything on the side. My recommendation would be to stick with something that's a slightly better value to begin with (like the $8.50 lamb burger) so the addition of a $5 side hurts a little less. They also make heavy use of Living Social and Groupon deals, so that can help ease the sting. All in all, it's worth a return visit for me.
(3)Kendra Y.
My husband and I are Groupon frequenters and were excited to visit a new place, and on Park Ave at that! Great ambiance! Lovely (and prompt) service! Food was great (& I can be a little picky)! I probably wouldn't go here without a Groupon, but, we're pretty frugal when it comes to eating out, so we don't usually eat anywhere without some sort of discount deal. Not considering our frugality, I would say the prices are average for the high quality of food they produce. I've noticed some bad reviews, but I would urge people to give this place a try. I had a great experience and would definitely recommend this place. Had: Duck & Waffles appetizer - yummy! A bit odd but I also think chicken & waffles is odd. Came w/ a savory and sweet raspberry drizzle. & Scallop & lobster mac entree - amAZing! Scallops a little over done, but it's inevitable when you're baking them in. SO savory, great amount of cheese & lobster! Talking about it makes me want to go back! Yummyyyyyyyy
(5)Tyrone R.
No stars, the owner is extremely racist and rude. Food is just ok and overpriced, service just plain sucks. There is not much more to say!
(1)Heather T.
With a Groupon, this place is excellent!! Without...a little pricey. My boyfriend and I went with a Groupon for a date night and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at NOPA. Boom boom shrimp: although this standard dish is hard to do poorly, the sauce was a standout, and the breading was done perfectly! Huge shrimp, delicious appetizer. Side note: They were also serving Duck Legs and Waffles as a special appetizer that I could not be coerced into trying, but I thought that was unusual and fun! Filet: Great cut of steak, cooked exactly medium rare. The potato medley was beautiful and delicious! Truffle Fries: Pretty much some of the best truffle fries ever. And they were freshly made. Lamb Chops: Good portion, well cooked. All the desserts looked good, but we settled on the special: Fried Banana Cheesecake with caramel ice cream. Like a buttery Banana's Foster burrito. I wanted to lick the plate afterwards. All in all, a great meal, but I would not have gone to this restaurant and spent $125 on the food we ordered. The staff was very friendly and service was great. Might try back for lunch.
(4)Foodie O.
Ive been here twice and both times I left disappointed. Service has been lousy both times and I find it to be loud and overpriced. I visited last night and ordered a glass of zinfandel at the bar. The barman poured the last bit of one bottle into my glass then finished it off with a new fresh bottle (which is fine). Unfortunately, the old bottle- must have been opened a LONG time and my wine tasted pretty bad. Not wanting to be a pain, I didn't ask for a new glass, but I should have... upon finishing my glass it was so full old chunky wine gunk at the bottom I was disgusted. Our waitress didn't seem to notice- and I take ti this place doesn't care much in general. I am NEVER coming back- there are much better places in the area.
(2)Marie M.
Cute place, I only had drinks and french fries but I definitly want to come back and try the fresh fish (yum!)
(3)Susan L.
Since the owner responded in such a hostile manner through yelp I have lowered the stars. It seems that if you do not give them a glorius review he feels he can verbally attack you
(1)Betty S.
Way over priced for the money!! My son ordered the fried chicken sandwich, we were expecting a fried chicken breast, it simply was a Tyson frozen chicken patty (like the one's they serve in high school, it came with no side dish and it cost $14.50, a footlong hotdog cost $12.50 again with no side. However, if you would like a side of fries it's only $6.00. If you like to pay for bland over priced food, this is the place for you, such a bummer.
(1)Ana B.
Amazing service. The servers and owners are so incredibly nice and welcoming. Try the lobster burger and truffle fries, it is out if this world
(5)John O.
My wife and I have been visiting this place since it was Called Divas. We live in Deltona and like to go to Dinner from Time to Time in Winter Park. We would always stop in for a glass of Wine and There Desserts Especially the Carrot Cake and Tres Leches they were amazing. This past Weekend both Of us went there again and Ordered a Carrot Cake and Something of a Cake called A Marble with Chocolate Mousse . Soon as we tried the cake we both looked at each other and definitely noticed a huge difference in the taste. It was Awful and Tasted Like a Box of Sugar. We asked the waiter right away if these were the same desserts they claimed Grandma Made from Before and he said they were. Well Something must be seriously wrong with Grandma because the Cake tasted Awful as if it was made out of a Box. Anyway for someone to spend over $20.00 on two slices of cake and be served something terrible should be noticed. Never going back to this place again. We tried asking for a Refund but were completely ignored.
(1)Ben R.
Came here for dinner on a Thursday night. I had a glass of wine with a healthy pour. It was a Malbec for $12 and was great. For my entree, Lasagna. It was delicious. I think I got the piece from the pan edge because it was a bit crunchy - the best part! The bartender was conversational, as he was engaging a couple at the bar. Seating was comfortable and their outdoor section would be perfect in the spring and summer. It's worth a visit. Check out their happy hour specials.
(4)Shauna B.
FRIENDLY CHILL PLACE. Don't listen to the other negative reviews. This was a fantastic restaurant! The owners are so nice and easy to talk to. We had the Duck and Waffles along with a glass of wine and a beer. The atmosphere is pretty chill and a perfect little spot to stop and eat and grab a bite. Will be back every time I am in town. Great place. Friendly staff. Yummy food. :o)
(5)Lindsay W.
Updated 8/11/2014: I am extremely disappointed that a restaurant owner would respond to a Yelp review in the manner applied below. Especially when many of his concerns are clearly addressed. My reservation was on Valentines Day, as indicated in my review and by a verified check-in. I actually booked a table via Yelp and OpenTable.com for that evening. I utilize my real name as a Yelp Elite and a current photo of myself which can be verified across my other social media pages. I realize that some who review other businesses may not take the time and careful consideration to give a business the adequate time and elecution they may desire, but the average Yelp user is also not a professional reviewer. For professional reviews, you should seek out the media, not a local review site. I will not downgrade my rating, as I still believe it is a fair representation of my experience that evening, but you certainly will not see any more check-ins from me here, nor updated reviews. Also, as someone who has a bit of experience in the legal industry, but is not an attorney, I'd strongly encourage the owners and management cease posts like these if they wish to purse legal action until they actually speak to legal counsel, as I can't see how any competent attorney would endorse blaspheming restaurant patrons under pending litigation.
(2)Ted C.
My wife bought a Living Social deal for $42 for an $84.50 value. You could select (2) $10 glasses of wine, (1) $15.50 appetizer, (2) $19.50 entrees and (1) $10 dessert. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation and were greeted shortly after we entered by a gentleman, I presume one of the owners. He asked if we had reservations and when we said yes, he asked us to have a seat a the small bar-like area near the front door. We would've liked to have been asked if we wanted to order a drink, but there was no bartender or server. No big deal, because our table was ready within 10 minutes. The same fellow escorted us to a table for 2 near the kitchen. **NOTE TO STAFF** The customers in the dining area can hear all of your complaining under your breath as you storm to and from the kitchen area** We were then greeted by a young lady who asked if we'd like water and she gave us menus. We explained that we had the voucher and we asked if there were any restrictions. She said that there were no restrictions, we could order anything off of the menu that we liked. I thought that was a nice perk, not all LS deals allow that! A third, yet gruff, server then stopped by to collect our LS deal code. It seemed like this is where our evening really took a turn for the worse. None of the people that we encountered told us who they were or that they would be "our" server. This 3rd lady seemed to be one of the owners too. She seemed annoyed that we were part of the LS deal. Before she left our table, she asked if we'd like red or white wine. I actually felt like those were my only choices, and was bummed since I could see that they seemed to have a decent selection of wines. Now I realize that I probably could've asked for an upgrade, but isn't it her job to offer or "up sell" me? She also took our order for the calamari app. So we sat for some time before we flagged down one of the servers to tell them we'd like to place our dinner order. They immediately brought us bread with oil and balsamic vinegar, which helped stave our hunger. Quickly, our entrees were on the table. I ordered the rib eye and my wife ordered a salad with fish atop it. My rib eye was served with french fries, which I thought was a little odd, but whatever. Once we finished our meal, we had to waive down someone to let them know we'd like dessert. We asked for the options and the older lady told us to look at the case to see what they still had. Nice customer service skills! Anyway, we decided on a delicious tira misu cake. But about halfway through the cake she returned to drop off our bill when we realized we never received the calamari app. She joked and asked us if we wanted it at that point, but we were not amused. After all we prepaid for this. She offered no explanation as to how she was going to rectify this misstep. Instead, she returned with an altered bill that was supposed to make it all good. She took off the app, but never made a peace offering...like a piece of cake to take home for later (tomorrow), 10% off our next visit, etc. So here is the deal, they charge you for what you ordered, hit you with an 18% gratuity and then subtract the $84 as a coupon. While this seems fair at first, you actually get screwed because they don't really care about providing good service at this point because their tip is guaranteed. I questioned the method and the gruff female owner snapped back that it is listed that way on the LS deal. I wasn't about to argue because I'm sure it was listed and I could see that she wasn't in the mood for making us happy, I would simply just not return to NOPA. It seems from the reviews that the LS deals have brought NOPA more customers (like it is designed to). It is just too bad that NOPA hasn't figured out how to make those new customers fans and repeat customers.
(1)Kristin C.
The food was good: we tried several appetizers, drinks and an entree, the duck and waffles was hands down our favorite. Our server Jonathan was fantastic, but the poor rating is a result of ownership. Racist. This is my first ever yelp review and my husband and I were so taken back by the blatant disreguard toward only our table that I felt the need to post. We were only one of four tables sat during our dinner experience. The owner moved and interacted with all the other 10 guests following up on their experience and making suggestions...should I mention the other tables she sweetly interacted with were all of white ethnicity. She did bring one of our plates to our table and slammed it down and hurried away with out even noticing we needed plates to share the dish or even looking at us. The dish she brought was a still cold under cooked pork chop. Jonathan was very attentive to read our concern and sent it back immediately to finish cooking. Not even 5 minutes later the table next to us also was displeased with a dish...this white couple recieved her immediate attention and concern. We do not expect to be greeted by an owner when we dine...however when we could see her watching and observing and interacting pleasantly with the other three tables and avoiding ours...it raises concern...And since she made it a point to follow up with the table right next to us with a food issue as well and not follow up with us it made us feel very uncomfortable. We dine out often and understand when busy establishments can lack in personal attention...but this place was not busy and she had time to interact with all her white customers...If she does not want certain ethnicities dining within her place I suggest a sign on the door out front clarifying.
(1)Patricia B.
We loved the wine list, lasagne is 5*... service was excellent and gracious. Dessert... yummy. Bar area is cozy... has a heart beat. Only negative for me was I found the tables/chairs higher than traditional and stiff of which I never completely relaxed.
(4)Kathrine C.
Tries to be upscale, but misses the mark. Worth Livingsocial price, but I wouldn't return to pay full price. **Edited 8-11-14: The rambling, barely coherent rant against yelp that the owner left as a comment on my review and other people's reviews was also messaged to me by him through yelp's messages, followed by threatening, "see you in court" Downgraded from 3 to 2 stars for the harassment.
(2)Solomon F.
I spoke this owner and he was the most rude person I have ever dealt with. I called to see if he could accommodate a party of 6 aside based from the Groupon deal special for 4, he said for us to come in eat for free, drink 2 bottles of wine then call his wife and daughter and tell them why he cant support them. WTF ? There is a certain way of telling a potential customer NO or can't not make changes to an existing deal but he was an asshole and this will not be the last reivew I write on the place. I will NEVER eat here or refer anyone I know to eat. Sad b/c I work in WP. His loss!
(1)Moray W.
Since I am disinclined to be persuaded by the reviews of other diners, understanding that there are many factors at play when evaluating a dining experience, I came to this restaurant relatively unbiased in spite of the many negative comments. The atmosphere was quite pleasing with modern, minimalist decor and the wait staff was very friendly and the food presentation was special as well. The factor that prevented me from a higher rating was the food itself. My $12. burger which I ordered medium rare was overcooked and the second try undercooked. As it was pricey for a burger with no fries, I expected it to be cooked properly and was disappointed for that reason.Was not especially fond of having brisket meat combined with chuck which gave the few bites I had of the burger a taste I did not like. Not sure about returning.
(3)Kim K.
My husband and I ate here for the first time last night and loved every minute of it! It's a family affair and it is heartwarming to see a family working together to make their customers' experience a good one. Loved the friendliness of Blake the bartender (son) and parents. The food was delicious and very generous portions to say the least. We can't wait to go back, thank you. Kim and John
(4)Tyler P.
We came in after the remodel. The place looks nice. The Groupon deal is good, but if you didn't have a groupon this place is 25% over priced. Most of the food was above average, but the server (wife of the owner) gave me lasagna when I ordered shrimp and crab ravioli. I ate it anyway because she raved about it. Subpar lasagna and cake. My wife's steak was great.
(4)Jim F.
very friendly staff. Great l location. Gyro was fresh and awesome.
(4)Apu N.
Been here there three times. Twice with a wine group once for a birthday party. First wine group time very impressed, fun night. Second time on a birthday party. Crazy expensive for grocery store wine. Third time all the employees were grumpy as hell, not sure why because I'm sure we were the most business they have had in a while. They also jumped on top of friends that showed up just for a glass but didn't want to do the wine group thing. Not sure why this place keeps changing it name but aggree with other guy this place won't last. Oh and goofy owner, don't respond it makes you look desperate
(2)Erin B.
Amazing food and staff!!! Everything is home made. Great happy hour deals, amazing deserts. New favorite place off park ave.
(5)