Brunching at The Nook

All of a sudden, Honolulu became big on breakfast. Just this year so far, seven new breakfast/brunch restaurants have opened in the city, and they all command chic-looking weekend crowds. When did breakfast become the most stylish meal of the day?

Whatever the case, The Nook Neighborhood Bistro (in Puck’s Alley, where Kiss My Grits used to be) is one of those new morning hotspots. You’ll find your usual breakfast/brunch favorites, like benedicts, waffles and pancakes, but with a contemporary local twist. Chicken and waffles gets a local touch with mochiko flour instead of regular flour; the breakfast sandwich uses a malasada for a bun instead of regular bread. (Click here to see the full menu and more photos.)

If you go, try to do it on a weekday so you can avoid the crowds (that is, unless you want to see and be seen). And since it’s open in the morning, Puck’s Alley parking is wide open. One last tip: you’ll probably want to order the haupia oatmeal, as we did, but plan ahead and order it while you decide on other things to eat — it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to make since it’s done from scratch. Here are some things we did eat: