Nook

Return Of The Mac!

Nook Bistro — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:04:52 +0000

We’re very pleased to announce that Nook’s Mac and Cheese charted number six on L.A. Weekly’s “9 Best Macaroni and Cheese Dishes,” as compiled by Emma Courtland. Nook now joins the ranks of other such Mac and Cheese titans as Joan’s on Third, Fred 62, Chef Marilyn’s Soul Food Express and others. One correction: the article does state that there is Gorgonzola in our Mac, which is not true. We love the description of the Mac however, and are very honored to be included. Many thanks to Emma Courtland and the L.A. Weekly for the recognition. Check out the full piece here.

Oh L’amour

Nook Bistro — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:48:41 +0000

At the time of publication a few reservations are still available for Valentine’s Day at Nook. We’ll be doing a $35 Prixe Fixe menu in addition to our normal lovey-dovey offerings. Our customers have made a number of “nookie” jokes in relation to this holiday, but we prefer not to repeat them! First course will be a choice of Smoked Trout with Radish, Celery Root and Horseradish Cream or Black Kale and Kumquats with Avocado and Meyer Lemon. Second is a choice of Red Wine Beef Stew and Homemade Pappardelle or Horseradish Crusted Corvina with Roasted Cauliflower and Chive Oil. For dessert, choose between a heavenly Mixed Berry Fool or Chocolate Cornmeal Cake with Sour Cherry Compote. Last course is up to you, wink, nudge!

William James Grenache.

Nook Bistro — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:52:53 +0000

The Nook staff has been enamored of late with a new local wine to our menu. William James Grenache is a Santa Barbara County red that is sure to delight you with its subtle herbal quality and mild tannins that make it ever-so-friendly to food. We're pouring by the glass, so you can come by and enjoy its splendor without popping for a whole bottle. Keep it local!

Corvina Predicts Big Win This Weekend.

Nook Bistro — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:45:19 +0000

Our recently unveiled Corvina is getting a very enthusiastic welcome from Nook diners. The Corvina is wild caught and we’re serving it up atop sauteed winter greens, heirloom runner beans and homemade fennel sausage. This could be one of the coolest fish entrees we’ve ever served! The beans will be a varying selection unique farmers market legumes that you (and I) have probably never heard of, which usually have really quaint, entertaining names (such as the “painted ponies” we currently have on hand). If we had to crystal ball your reaction, we would predict maximum enjoyment!

$20 Prix Fixe this Wednesday 2/1!

Nook Bistro — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:42:40 +0000

Join us for a mid week Prix Fixe this Wednesday, February 1st. We’re starting off with a wonderful Kale Salad with Kumquat, Avocado and Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette. Next, Chef James goes back to his Southern roots and blows our tastebuds away with a Tasso Stew with Grilled Squid, served with crusty bread (depicted, right) to mop up the good stuff. It’s got a hearty and spicy complexity that could unite blue and red states in a congress of culinary satisfaction! Then we finish off with a delightful Ice Cream Sandwich. We’ll also have on hand $10 bottles of Tin Roof Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the evening, so get it on it. Groundhog’s Day Eve only comes once a year, after all!

Crispy!

Nook Bistro — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:31:47 +0000

Are you out our way around noon? We have something new and outstanding for you to lunch on. Come delight in our latest lunch entree. It's a delicious pork cutlet, pounded flat and served crispy, and buried underneath a wonderful salad of wild arugula, shaved fennel, Pink Lady apples and Stilton cheese with apricot vinaigrette. It ain't pork chops and apple sauce, it's way better! Eat it up for only $10!

New Year, New Pot Roast.

Nook Bistro — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:13:59 +0000

When people ask me why we're not open on New Year’s Eve, I always say "I'd rather be drunk than taking care of drunks." But if we were open on NYE, I would definitely order this: Stout-Braised Pot Roast with Cabbage, Bacon, Smashed Potatoes, and Pickled Mustard Seeds. It's just the next brilliant example of our mastery of braised meats here at Nook Bistro. The Mustard Seeds metaphorically take the place of your New Year's caviar, in case you were wondering. Think about it--you're going to need some meat and potatoes before making all those New Year's resolutions, aren't you?

New Year, New Chop.

Nook Bistro — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:12:21 +0000

The long reign of our legendary Pork Chop served with a delicious Arugula salad is over, for now. Countless moments of satisfaction and porky delight marked it's nearly seven year tenure on our menu. When asked if it would consider coming out of retirement, the Pork Chop stated "I've had a great run, and I don't want to end up like Brett Favre." Taking reps for outgoing Chop is a new Pork Chop, still served herb roasted, but with an entourage of Farro, Walnuts, Dates, Winter Squash, Grilled Castelfranco Radicchio and Sage Brown Butter

Nook Gift Cards, The Perfect Stocking Stuffer!

Nook Bistro — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:59:12 +0000

We haven't begun our yearly rotation of James Brown's Funky Christmas on the Nook sound system . . . yet. But, we will help you start your holiday shopping. Purchase Nook Gift Cards right here at the nookstore! Imagine the joy and delight on the faces of your friends and families when they open a Nook Gift Card, thinking they are just going to get a Best Buy Card or some old chocolate Gelt, but see delicious bistro dollars instead! Give it to someone else, or give it to yourself, but GIVE the gift of Nook this holiday season!

Persimmon Market Salad Returns.

Nook Bistro — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:42:53 +0000

Nothing says "Fall" like Persimmon. There's something so romantic about the combination of Persimmon and Pomegranate in our Autumn Market Salad that makes me want to write a love poem on a cliff somewhere. Check it out with wild Arugula, Shaved Fennel, and a delicate Curry Vinaigrette. We make this salad every year while Persimmons are in season, and it's just fantastic!