The Nook,“ a neighborhood boozy bistro in the heart of Honolulu” is as advertised. Nestled in Pucks Alley and owned by two friends, Anicea Campanale and Hailey Berkey, that have created a fresh menu. Using locally sourced ingredients (should there be any other kind?),  they host their diners in a charming space with rustic ambiance. Chrissy and I arrived for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. knowing that parking is easy then.

The inside seating is casual, intimate and cozy and we liked knowing that there’s outdoor seating too had we opted for a little sunshine. Having a full “holoholo” schedule ahead of us, we regretfully passed on the Nook’s A.M. cocktails with drink names like Spiced Espresso, Orange Rosemary Mimosa and Morning Mule. This took iron will power!

Chrissy has a weakness for risotto. No matter the time of day, it’s this dish that entices her.  A fait accompli! She went for the Breakfast Risotto – bacon, caramelized onions, roasted local mushrooms, parmigiano reggiano, and two poached island eggs.., and declared it delicious.

I’ve been for breakfast here many times, always ordering the “not so classic” mochiko chicken and mochi waffles with bacon maple syrup. Extremely tasty and made with REAL maple syrup: it’s a positive indicator of The Nook’s overall quality ingredients. Wanting to expand my repertoire, today I ordered the pork belly benedict – poached eggs, crispy pork belly, hollandaise (sans the english muffin – for my latest health craze – keto).

Not only a place for breakfast, The Nook has an evening menu available five nights a week. A future holoholo for dinner is already on our radar. Chrissy noted two other risotto options and for me it will be the duck or the steak. We will sample the P.M. cocktails on this next excursion, especially the crafted Mai Tai. As an islander – it’s law that we know who serves it best!

The Nook
1035 University Ave. Suite #105
Honolulu, HI 96826
808.942.2222