Marianne and Eric Hess are the husband-and-wife team behind OPA! Social, bringing together years of restaurant experience, a love of great food, and a shared passion for creating a place where people feel at home.

Before OPA! Social, Marianne and Eric built Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro into a beloved Goochland destination. Their experience at Lola’s reinforced something they have always believed: a memorable restaurant is about more than what is served on the plate. It is about the people, the atmosphere, and the way guests feel when they walk through the door.

For Marianne, hospitality has always been a part of life. She grew up in the restaurant business, learning from her family at The Grapevine Restaurant and seeing firsthand the connection a restaurant can create with its guests. OPA! Social brings Marianne back to those roots, drawing inspiration from the traditions, flavors, and hospitality that shaped her while giving her the opportunity to create something uniquely her own.

Eric brings more than seven years of hospitality experience from Hermitage Country Club, along with a background in engineering and business. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech and later completed a master’s degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. His operational experience and problem-solving mindset have been an important part of bringing their shared vision for OPA! Social to life.

Marianne & Eric Hess

A Restaurant Built From the Ground Up

OPA! Social is the restaurant Marianne and Eric have dreamed of creating together. For the first time, they had the opportunity to shape every detail from the ground up, including the atmosphere, design, menu, cocktails, music, and overall guest experience.

The result is a restaurant that reflects who they are: warm, welcoming, lively, and centered around bringing people together.

Their vision is simple: great food, genuine hospitality, and a place where everyone feels like family.

Whether you're stopping in for a cocktail at the bar, sharing dinner with friends, celebrating with family, or becoming one of the regulars, Marianne and Eric want you to feel welcomed, recognized, and cared for every time you visit.

OPA! Social is the next chapter in their story, shaped by years of experience, family tradition, hard work, and a shared dream they are excited to bring to the Richmond community.

Come as a guest. Leave as family.

Marianne & Eric Hess