Opa closes in Palo Alto

Uploaded: Mar 12, 2018

Downtown Palo Alto's Opa Authentic Greek Cuisine has closed after almost three years at 140 University Ave.

The restaurant's website states that the location is now "available as an exclusive private dining venue and banquet facility."

The outpost of the mini Bay Area restaurant chain opened in April 2015 after two short-lived restaurants shuttered in the prominent corner location, including Palo Alto Grill and alkymists.

Greek restaurant Opa was located on the corner of University Avenue and High Street in Palo Alto. Photo by Zachary Hoffman/Palo Alto Weekly.

Angelo Heropoulos, who opened the first Opa in Willow Glen in 2008, confirmed the closure on Monday but said he sold his share in the company last summer. He said his partner, Molly Adams, continues to operate the business.

With multiple restaurants and more on the way, Heropoulos — who has three young children and recently purchased a ranch in Almaden Valley — said he "just wanted to simplify."

Adams did not immediately return a request for comment.

Other Opa locations are in Los Altos, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Walnut Creek.

The restaurant company also owns Tac-Oh, a Mexican restaurant in San Jose.

Comments

Posted by Skeptical, a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Mar 12, 2018 at 12:42 pm

I think what this means is that Palantir or Amazon or other large high tech company has now 'purchased' this as an exclusive employee lunch and dinner facility. Open only to their employees. Watch other restaurants convert this new business model shortly. They will still sell via DoorDash though I bet......

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Posted by Takeover , a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood,
on Mar 13, 2018 at 2:07 am

When Los Altos had a few years of vacancies, someone put in an afterschool theater program in a storefront and they were disallowed - Los Altos strictly enforced their downtown retail rules. As a consequence, Los Altos still has a nice downtown for retail, and we have a congested office park. Then it wasn't bad enough that they ruined University, they had to ruin Cal Ave, too.

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Posted by Hugo, a resident of Palo Alto Hills,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 10:59 am

Isn't this supposed to be a ground-level retail area? Can they keep the business there but shut the doors to the public?

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Posted by Online Name, a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 12:02 pm
Online Name is a registered user.

Unlike Palo Alto, Los Altos's city charter specifies their goal is to serve the needs of residents first. They -- and Menlo Park -- still have a charming downtown with a nice mix of retail worth browsing. They've also opened some nice new restaurants that are open to the public and are usually packed. On State Street, both Urfa (Turkish) and ASA (Cal-Spanish) are ewonderful,

I'm curious who benefits for PA's new "private" dining space which I believe is our second 'private" dining space. Whatever happened to retail protection??

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Posted by Bill, a resident of North Whisman,
on Mar 15, 2018 at 1:37 pm

I have been to this Opa a few times. I found their chairs to be extremely uncomfortable to sit in. I also thought their food was dry, tasty but dry. I guess I like moister food. But the uncomfortable chairs kept me away after the first 2 or 3 times I ate there. I love Greek food! But not at this Opa.

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Posted by Now it's Nnnnopa, a resident of Adobe-Meadow,
on Mar 17, 2018 at 8:06 am

No soup for you!

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Posted by Gordon Moore, a resident of North Whisman,
on Mar 18, 2018 at 5:36 am

Misdirecting the converation breeds ignorance, wouldn't you agree Bill? ;) We're fortunate to have an award-winning city newspaper reporting on these happenings... may we take these issues seriously?

I live in North Whisman. Speaking for myself, it is astounding the disrespect neighbors show for one another. Look, if you have an issue with your neighbor, put on a friendly smile and politely discuss it with them. Let me tell you a secret: the majority of Mountain View residents are the nicest, whole-hearted people you'll find in the Bay. THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR. Be mature and speak with them if there is reason.

We know this is a high-stress area, so be mindful of your emotions and don't take your stress out on people you make assumptions about. The profiling, the suspicions, the breach of privacy, the intolerance of lifestyles outside of big tech... purely psychological and assuming. They have no basis, step outside the big box and take off the blinders. Sure, there may be a culture divide in this city currently, but stop trying to sell it as a war.

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