Meet Elyse Hopps | Chef/Restaurateur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elyse Hopps and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elyse, what principle do you value most?
When it comes to the restaurant, David and I were very clear about our values going in. One thing that came up constantly was changing the restaurant/kitchen culture. The idea was to create a safe space for people to be creative, all while staying true to our background and education in Japanese cuisine. We wanted to take the things we’ve learned over the years, whether they are food related or not, and make them accessible to our staff and community. The restaurant industry has a reputation for being harsh. For years, restaurant work has meant low-paying, stressful work environments that are blatantly ignorant of mental health and substance abuse issues. Our goal was to stomp that out at the ground level. We knew that in order to succeed, we needed to ditch all of the things that we hated about the industry, and embrace the cooperative, sometimes vulnerable aspects of working in high-pressure positions. We are still learning everyday and are probably making a lot of mistakes, but our ultimate goal was to build a safe-space restaurant where creativity can fly and opportunities for growth are in large supply. I hope our guests can feel that when they dine with us.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When David and I finally decided to open Gama, it was the height of the pandemic. I still haven’t quite figured out if it was the best, or worst time to open a restaurant. Our background and education is in Japanese cuisine, and after working fine-dining for years, then going through a quarantine that completely changed the industry, we knew the restaurant had to be an izakaya. We were going for comfort. Something that would feel warm and cozy, but still offer high-quality food and service.

An izakaya is basically a sake bar, where you can order small plates to accompany your alcoholic beverages throughout the night. In Japan, it was hands-down my favorite dining experience. Boisterous laughter competes with upbeat music—sake pairs beautifully with seasonal bites. Everyone is at ease and most importantly, having fun. This is what you experience when you walk into Gama.

We also wanted to showcase the seasonality of our area. We work mostly with local farmers and fisher people to source our ingredients, and our menu changes almost daily as a result. When you are a part of such a small community, it is so important to be cooperative and supportive of one another. Not to mention it makes for an incredibly exciting menu. We have a series of small plates that feature seasonal veggies and fish, but we also have our staple dishes like chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken) and house-made silken tofu.

Of course, there are some things that we import from Japan. There are small, family run businesses that have been making these products for centuries and they simply cannot be replicated. Something that sets us apart, especially since we are in wine country, is our sake list. We have over 20 different sakes on our list and pride ourselves on the quality of nihonshu that we source. If you are a sake novice, don’t fret! We love nerding out and introducing guests to something new. I just finished my level 3 sake exam, and look forward to offering classes soon.

All of this is pretty unique to the area, but this coastline is constantly growing and evolving. It’s really exciting to be a part of this new wave of small, community driven businesses that are popping up in Mendocino County.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Head down to the cove and have a slice at Point Arena Pizza. You can sit outside and watch the whales go by while drinking a beer and eating pizza, what could be better?

The Point Arena lighthouse is stunning and just to the south are the Stornetta Lands. It’s a beautiful walk along the cliffs where you can watch the water and see some wildlife.

You can’t stay in Point Arena without going to Pine Reef Yoga and taking a restorative yoga class. The space is beautiful and calming, and put you in the perfect state of zen before you start your day.

This area is full of wonder, and one of my favorite things to do is meander through the redwoods. One of my favorite hikes is the Van Damme loop. It’s about a 9 mile loop that takes you through 4 different micro climates. You see mass amounts of mushrooms, wildlife, old growth redwoods as well as a jaunt through the pigmy forest. After the hike, you might as well treat yourself to a drink and a bite at Little River Inn. If you dine in the bar, you have beautiful views of Van Damme beach and the sunset. (I’ve seen the elusive green flash at that very bar!)

The Fog Bottle Shop in Mendocino has a carefully curated selection of natural wines and picnic items. It’s a great place to stock up on gifts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have helped me get to this point. Of course, It would be impossible to talk about the restaurant without my husband David. He pushes me, supports me—laughs at my bad jokes. He is my other half.

My family. My mom and sister are the foundation of who I am today. Thank you for being badasses.

The Japanese community, and chefs that taught me everything I know. I wouldn’t be here without the knowledge that you shared. Forever grateful for the education, and the ability to share that education with the world.

Website: Izakaya-gama.com

Instagram: @izakaya_gama