A Look Inside Nopa Kitchen + Bar from Ashok Bajaj

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Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj tends to spare no expense when it comes to restaurant design, and his new Nopa Kitchen + Bar is no exception. Bajaj enlisted Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates to design the space. The James Beard award-nominated designer is the same one who designed his striking Rasika West End.

Vahtra's design emphasizes a "rustic industrial" look, with whitewashed exposed brick, steel accents, leather chairs and eye-catching red fabric among its design elements. There's a 14-seat bar and raised banquette seating in the lounge area. Nopa has three private dining rooms, including one with a working fireplace. Recycled materials from old construction sites are worked into the layout.

Chef Greg McCarty is preparing a menu with both American and French influences. Some of the appetizers on his opening menu include pate with pickled vegetables and crispy soft shell crab with avocado basil puree. Entrees include several fish selections, a roasted half chicken with apricot and foie gras barley and, naturally, steak frites. Five people collaborated on Nopa's extensive wine list. The restaurant will open May 6.
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