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Nook Bistro
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
11628 Santa Monica Blvd# 9
(between Barry Ave & Federal Ave)
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Neighborhood: West Los Angeles
(310) 207-5160
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
589 reviews for Nook Bistro
Review Highlights
"Chocolate banana bread pudding - yum."
(in 57 reviews)
"Love the hangar steak and the chicken paillard."
(in 65 reviews)
"I order the herb roasted pork chop for my entree."
(in 15 reviews)
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589 reviews in English
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Review from C.C. S.
Los Angeles, CA
12/23/2011
I should preface this review by saying that I went to another restaurant and they had a 90 minute wait so I yelped for restaurants in the area and found this amazing place.
Nook is hidden away in a parking lot, with no sign, but an arrow pointing toward their entrance. My wife and I split the crab cake, organic chicken, and a side of mac & cheese. They were all amazing. The crab cake had the right texture of crispy outside to soft filling. The chicken was well seasoned and properly cooked.
I liked the crab cake the best but my wife swears the mac & cheese stole the night. -
Review from Oscar A.
Salt Lake City, UT
2/5/2012 1 photo
This place is totally a nook. I never would have seen it unless someone pointed it out. It's a cool little bistro in a corner of strip mall. Totally unexpected and out of place from it's surroundings, but a pleasant surprise. A little classier and pricier than one would expect.
A few of us got the Nook burger on rustic bread and shoestring fries for $13 (See Photo). I washed mine down with a delicious Napa Smith Amber Ale. The burger was pretty tasty but not mind blowing. I love me a good burger and I would rate this one a 7 out of 10. The fries were regular shoestring fries so nothing too special. Everything was pretty good. My friend got the Organic Half Chicken with risotto ($21) and he said it was delicious and would get it again. Maybe I'll try that next time.
(Photo Included) -
Review from ivana d.
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
mmmm... yum... i had their muscle appetizer/small plate and i wasn't that hungry so the portion was perfect.. the toasted bread that accompany it was delicious.... hubby had their shrimp and grit.. the shrimp tasted really yummy n fresh.. the grit was good but a little heavy and i'm not a grit type of person really.. the shrimp and grit, while it looks small, is actually a perfect size for him because how heavy the grit is..
now onto the chocolate banana bread pudding.. wow... wow.. wow... DELICIOUS! hubby dont like dessert but he loves this bread pudding coz its not as sweet.. lets just say i dream coming into this tiny restaurant and just order the chocolate banana bread pudding, which i have not done, coz im sure the ppl there wont be too happy.. given how tiny the place is and always so crowded
i also hate the communal table in the middle... seriously people why cant you just get regular table.. i'm squeezed in between some lawyers talking about the $$ deals they do and some other ladies talking about i dont know what... too much...
all in all.. will return for their chocolate banana bread pudding.. i went for lunch another time and it was just meh.. seems like the lunch and dinner menu is different -
Review from Kelly M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2012
Nook is most definitely in a nook - tucked into a shady corner of an unassuming strip mall. But despite my need to wander the "strip" in order to find the place, Nook did not disappoint food-wise. The menu offered a variety of seemingly tasty options of soups, salads, wraps and entrees. My BBQ salmon wrap was particularly good. So for food I would give Nook 4 stars.
What brought them down in the ratings was service. While my waiter seemingly came to the table multiple times, he never seemed to notice that my water glass was empty. Neither did the guy walking around with the water pitcher. So I tended to be a little thirsty during my meal.
But lack of service attentiveness aside, I would definitely eat at Nook again. But if you go for lunch, be sure to get there before 12:30PM because it gets pretty packed. -
Review from Kenneth S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/9/2012
Another hidden gem in West Los Angeles. The place is hidden in a not-so-nice strip mall but once you enter, you'll find an elegant and romantic place to eat. Great selection of beer and food and the owner is super nice. One night we had to wait for a longer than usual time to get our table and the owner comped our beers for it.
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Review from One R.
Los Angeles, CA
2/6/2012
The food here is consistently great, and servers are attentive and funny. Combined with the low-key vibe, easy parking, and cheap prices, Nook Bistro is one of my favorite places to go to. The only shame is that the don't take reservations.
Food tips: Make sure to try their sides, and the pear cider is pretty good, too. -
Review from Lana T.
I was pretty disappointed by this place.
Came here to celebrate my friend's birthday. As it was during finals, we wanted to go somewhere close by, cheap, and quick, but still with a decent ambiance. My friend is also vegan so we had to make sure there were dishes that he could eat. Nook fit our criteria, for the most part. The main problem was that service wasn't very good and the food just wasn't very tasty.
Nook Bistro is definitely pretty hipster, a surprisingly nice restaurant tucked away in the corner of a run down strip mall. The interior is minimalistic in a trendy way. The plus side of this is that parking is really easy. The minus is that you shouldn't come if you're running late because it will definitely take at least 15 minutes to figure out where you are.
We all agreed that the boiled peanuts were terrible. Interesting concept, but there's no point in being unique if it tastes awful. The consistency was kind of like baby food and there was a strange aftertaste. "It's like they figured peanuts are like American edamame and you can just cook them the same way," my friend said. Bread and butter instead, please.
I ordered the hangar steak sandwich as a wrap, my friend got the grilled albacore sandwich, and my (vegan) friend had the tofu and brown rice bowl. I tried some of the albacore and it was just okay. Neither was I impressed with the steak. I guess you can't expect much for what is essentially a $14 piece of steak, but--it should at least taste like something and be chewable. I liked the mushroom sauce it came with but not much else. I also had the fries as my side since I had heard good things about them, but they were pretty average. I do appreciate that you can order any of the sandwiches as wraps, for the carb-conscious out there.
However, portions are pretty sizable, and we were definitely stuffed by the end. It ended up being $50 for lunch for 3 people which isn't too bad. My friend also ordered an espresso and mango sorbet for dessert. The waitress said they don't give desserts for birthdays, but that they would put a candle in if we ordered one. Thanks? $6 for a bland scoop of mango sorbet is just a crime when you consider places like Scoops and Saffron & Rose.
I really wanted to like this place, but alas, I won't be back. -
Review from Jenny J.
12/7/2011
Suuuuuper cute place! I love the quiet and intimate ambiance paired with the comfortable and familiar feel. The kurobuta pork belly was crispy, fatty, and divine. The mac & cheese was HUGE and not particularly noteworthy. However, the shrimp & grits and the ribeye were both delicious. Apparently there's an app you can download that is kind of like a scratcher - you "scratch" it in the presence of your waiter and it gives you a prize like free dessert. Unfortunately it wasn't working when we were there, but we were way too full for dessert anyhow. The portions here are HUGE.
I'd definitely go back there for a homey, fulfilling meal soon. Parking in the lot is a bit tight, so you might want to look around the residential streets. -
Review from Yvonne K.
12/17/2011
I am struggling to stay out of my food coma so that I can write this review and let the world of Yelp know what a wonderful place this is.
Oh. My. Gosh. Just. I can't even. The food is AMAZING here. The place itself was a bit difficult to find -- it's literally a nook in a shopping plaza -- but just look for the arrows, and you'll find your way!
Now, onto the mouthgasmic food.
I ordered the chicken paillard and shared a chocolate banana bread pudding for dessert.
The chicken paillard was SO tender that I barely even had to chew it. I've never had chicken that was so tender and juicy. NEVER. And the lemon caper sauce that it was slathered in? DELICIOUS. I wasn't a fan of capers before tonight, but this chicken paillard may just have converted me. Alongside the chicken was a side of slightly spicy mustard greens and garlic mashed potatoes. YUMMM. I gobbled everything up like I hadn't eaten anything all day, and despite the fact that I was pretty filled by the end, I was still craving more. THAT'S how you know the food is good.
And dessert? Oh god, don't get me started on dessert. Bananas plus chocolate already wins in my book. Mix in hot bread pudding, whipped cream, and caramel sauce on top of that? ABSOLUTELY DIVINE. Seeing as how we were pretty stuffed from our entrees (but still craving more), my boyfriend and I decided that sharing would probably be a smart idea. The bread pudding is so decadent and delicious; it's every girl's perfect little piece of dessert heaven. My only regret is that I was too full to even finish the bread pudding. Too full to finish half of the bread pudding. I stared at it in utter defeat as I set my spoon down, cursing my stomach for not having room for just a few more bites.
What's the lesson here? GO TO NOOK BISTRO. What's the other lesson here? SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. Unless you want a life filled with regrets. -
Review from Mitty C.
Fremont, CA
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am DRUNK right now. ....Drunk off GREAT food, that is! Har har har. No really; as lame as that might have sounded, I am really in a deep food coma while I write this review. In fact, part of me just wanted to fall asleep into a blissful dream of more pot roast and bread pudding, but my girlfriend suggested (jokingly) that I should just review this place while I'm in my food coma. It sounded actually like a good idea, but if any part of this review seems ridiculous... my apologies. I might not be in the right state of mind.
This review is primarily on the pot roast and the bread pudding which I ordered. I also had a couple of bites of the chicken and the pork chop from my friends, but seeing how the content of my stomach are mostly pot roast, mashed potatoes, and bread pudding right now, I'll focus on those.
THE POT ROAST
You know you've hit the jackpot once you start cutting and the meat literally just falls off into the sauce, calling out your name. Mmmmmmm. The sauce was sweet and savory, but not too much of either as to overwhelm the flavors. It also had a hint of brandy in there, that added an extra layer of taste to the pot roast. This was possibly one of the best pot roasts I have had in my life. It comes served on a bed of mashed potatoes, with some eggs on top. The eggs were delicious (more texture than flavor, really). The mashed potatoes were just as mashed potatoes ought to be--nothing special there, although it was very filling. Rating: A
THE BREAD PUDDING
Bread pudding topped with caramel sauce and whipped cream? That just SOUNDS delicious. In either case, this is what I had for dessert. I happened to have had downloaded the "Nook" iPhone application for their restaurant, and used the "scratcher" part of the application, which lets you win free items! I won a free dessert. Whooo! Just download the application ahead of time and when your waiter or waitress gets there, show them your app and go to the scratcher and just scratch. It's important not to scratch until they get there though! And do this BEFORE you order! Anyway, the bread pudding was warm and perfectly made! If you're eating at Nook, I definitely recommend the bread pudding to end your evening. Rating: A
Yum! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants and I will definitely recommend this place. The atmosphere was also very trendy, even romantic. The staff were great and friendly. The place was a little hard to find though; tucked away in the corner of the plaza. Just got to look for it! :) -
Review from Craig k.
West Los Angeles, CA
1/27/2012
Great food, nice little bar area. Definitely packs a crowd and can be a bit noisy, but it's a great little "find!"
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Review from Jeff N.
West Los Angeles, CA
1/25/2012
Love this little neighborhood haunt! Brian the owner is great and so is his staff which have been there for a while which is a good sign...
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Review from Amy C.
West Hollywood, CA
12/12/2011
The boiled peanuts in lieu of bread was an awesome touch. Make sure you ask for them if you don't get them upon sitting.
The BEST ceasar salad in Los Angeles, topped with flash fried capers. My husband gets a ceasar everywhere he goes, and this one definitely topped them all.
Ambiance was quaint, cute, and hip. Perfect for a late night dinner, and we will definitely be back for that salad! -
Review from Emily R.
West Los Angeles, CA
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Truly and honestly this is solidly yummy restaurant. Just came back maybe 30 minutes ago. I'm full, happy, and ready for a long nap to digest all the good things in my tummy.
We got:
Entrees-
(blah blah blah) Pork Chop- It was delicious. And huge. And came with a salad I wasn't too fond of because it came with gorgonzola cheese which I'm not into but I'm sure other foodies will be.
Chicken Paillard- Soft, delicious, came with capers (effin love capers!), mashed potatoes, and veggies. Serious comfort food.
Pot Roast- Okay, this comfort food is even more serious. It's good. Very good.
Dessert-
Chocolate Pot de Creme (or some combination of those words together...)- Perhaps a bit too sweet for my tooth. But still ate it all.
Bread Pudding- Warm and makes happy feelings.
Oh. And it was hard to find. I knew it was located on the corner of Barry and Santa Monica but when I drove into the lot I didn't see it so I drove back out and parked. My friends and I walked down Santa Monica for a bit before realizing it was hidden in the corner where we were before. Hidden treasure indeed. -
Review from caroline b.
Culver City, CA
12/16/2011
I went to this spot on a recommendation of a trusted pal who has lived in LA for many years.
It's so hidden, it really feels like a gem when you get to the entrance.
I couldn't get a reservation but was dining on the early side so hoped that I could score a spot at the bar, and I (we) did with no trouble.
We shared the caesar salad, I had the chicken palliard, and hubs got the salmon. The salad was delish, not too caesar-y - ie, not too much dressing, not too fishy, plus they do a nice crushed capers thing on the salad which is delicious. My chicken was good, like I ate the whole thing good. It sat on a bed of broccoli rabe which was nothing special, and actually not great, and some mashed potatoes which definitely made up for the weirdly out of character greens.
He said his salmon was very good, not amazing but very good. It sad on pureed sweet potatoes which were very good and some sauteed spinach which was top notch.
We split a key lime cheesecake with a blueberry compote dessert, which was yum yum yum. I'm not sure if it was homemade, it had a sort of cold like maybe it had been frozen vibe, but we ate it all and liked it. They also had a very good wine selection of cheap but delicious bottles.
I'll definitely return, their menu is always changing. The service was excellent. They seemed delighted to have us there, which I enjoyed. -
Review from Michon P.
Woodland Hills, CA
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place, 10-private tables with a long communal table in the middle, has a cozy romantic feel with friendly service, but unfortunately the food is just okay. My boyfriend had the herb roasted pork chop and I had the steak frites. We then shared the chocolate banana bread pudding for dessert. Nothing bad, but nothing awesome. I would best characterize the food by my comment about the broiled peanuts while we waited from our entree..."I probably wouldn't be eating these if I wasn't so hungry."
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Review from Nicole S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/22/2012
What a great spot! The service was flawless. The staff was very attentive without hovering. The star of our meal was the Shitake, Gruyere Bread Pudding. The Pot Roast (could have been a touch hotter) and Mac n Cheese were also pretty tasty. I found the dinner entrees a little bit pricy, but its more fun to order small plates and starters anyway : ) The desserts sounded fabulous, but I didn't save any room.
I will definitely be back! -
Review from Jay W.
1/2/2012
What a find for us. The Getty was our destination late one Wednesday, taking in the current LA exhibit and experiencing the changing light and sunset shadows. We traveled down Sepulveda avoiding horrendous 405 traffic. A quick Yelp Search led us to Nook and a wonderful meal enjoyed by all in our party of four. Fresh ingredients combined with thai and other Asian seasonings made for a surprising meal. The featured Chicken Paillard is not to be missed. All salad offerings pleasantly complemented our entrees. We surreptitiously shared the Affogato dessert and left fully satisfied. If you find yourself groping along Santa Monica blvd or in W LA, don't miss checking out this spot!
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Review from ann l.
Los Angeles, CA
1/12/2012
mac and cheese with cesar salad excellent. Perfect, not too cheesy just perfect
Burger ok but weird bun they serve it on. salmon wrap too fishy.
I would go back and try the steak sandwich and defintely get the mac and cheese again.
They need to be open during the day on the weekends! -
Review from maria p.
11/9/2011
Went here FINALLY! Great place really cozy neighborhood bistro.
Arrived late around 8 ish and had a lovely dinner. Salmon and mac n' cheese for a side.
The steamed peanuts were a tasty treat, the circus peanuts slid out of the shell and were a light but satisfying snack instead of the usual bread appetizer.
The salmon was perfectly cooked lightly seasoned. The cherry hazelnut butter and roasted shiitake and asparagus was a perfect palate pleaser. I also ordered the mac n' cheese rustic and rich in flavor but too much food for this little person! I had it packaged up promptly by one of the busboys.
Everyone was attentive and pleasant. My water glass was never empty and I enjoyed the sauv blanc type white wine.
It's located in a unimpressive strip mall but do not be fooled. This is an unpretentious yet satisfying bistro bringing innovative flavors, food of the freshest caliber, and professional waitstaff to W. LA.
I am so glad it's here and it surpassed my expectations and what I have heard about it! I will be back soon as it's so close to my home! -
Review from Aileen P.
10/6/2011
Nook Bistro has been on my bookmark list for months, and I'm sorry that I kept talking myself out of coming here b/c of the fact that it sits in a strip mall. Boyyy was I pleasantly surprised when I walked in! The ambiance is great and the staff is so genuine and accommodating.
The Lentil & Veggie Soup is SUUUUUPER tasty. There were little bites of flavor bursts as I ate my way through the bowl. I couldn't quite figure out what it was, but I didn't care! My tastebuds were happy. My guess is that it might have been the quality of the tomatoes that absorbed the soup broth.
Next up was the pork belly sitting on top of a generous portion of tomatillo sauce. The meat was so tender that it pulled apart as I sliced my fork through. The onions and veggies w/ the sauce complemented the meat very well.
The Chicken Paillard sauce was also very flavorful. I thought it was going to be on the salty side what with the capers, but the lemon reduction balances it out perfectly. It sits on top of garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed greens, which again, complements each other since you can treat the sauce like a gravy.
They have a nice selection of wines and brews, and I wouldn't mind stopping by here on my way home to grab a drink while traffic dies down.
I'd love to come back and try their pork chops -- the table next to me got them and it looks SO promising. I'll definitely be back and I'm bringing people with me! -
Review from Rachel W.
West Hollywood, CA
10/15/2011
This place is okay. If you live in the area it's a cute little place to go because it is convenient and the food is good enough, but for the price I would go elsewhere. Some things were really good and some were not. I think it is either hit or miss.
They had a white wine sangria that we had and it was great.
I had the salmon in a barbeque merlot sauce or something like that, and it was nothing special at all. The sauce tasted like store bought bbq sauce that had been watered down, nothing gourmet about it as it sounded a lot better on the menu.
My bf had the shrimp and grits and that was really good, and I dont usually like grits. It was spicy and yummy.
My friend had the burger and it looked pretty good.
The banana bread pudding was really good.
Service was great, the owner was there and my friends said he usually is, so I like that it is local.
But the place is TOO SMALL! Thank god we made a reservation and got the only secluded table. The others are either a small row of banquette tables, and then in the middle there is a long row of tall tables put together, and you sit with random people. Im not into that. But hey if you dont mind being by others, then it shouldnt bother you.
I guess the place was overall not bad, you just have to know what to order. I was definitely disappointed by my salmon, and it upset my stomach too which didnt help...I dont know if it wasnt fresh or what. And the whole table situation keeps me from coming back in fear of what table I would get. -
Review from Elaine H.
Los Angeles, CA
1/8/2012
Went here for lunch with some coworkers and got the salmon wrap. It was okay. I did enjoy their chocolate pot de creme. Would go back just for it!
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Review from Wendy Y.
Daly City, CA
11/27/2011
Place was pretty much literally in a nook, but at least there was parking in the plaza. Service was good but not amazing, just really typical and not extra friendly or attentive. Few food choices, pretty much overpriced for a student, but for the general age of the customers I guess it's alright. Ended up having just a crabcake for an entree so my date wouldn't have to pay so much, and yup, just literally a crab cake dressed fancily. Wasn't particularly tasty or to die for either. Date had the classic burger which was good, but could be found elsewhere at a better price.
Tabling was a bit awkward because there's one long table in the middle where they'll seat several parties together.
Overall experience unsatisfying and disappointing, -
Review from Vivian H.
Wonderful! Was so glad to finally get a chance to dine here. We walked in without a reservation and was able to be squeezed in.. but only bc we got there pretty early. It's located in an unsuspecting corner of a tiny strip mall, and very nice inside.
Tried the calamari, pork chops, burger, ribeye, chocolate/banana bread pudding.. all were excellent. When they say BIG dishes, they mean HUMONGOUS.. which makes the already reasonable prices ridiculously cheap for what you get. Love it!
Download their app for the scratchcard :) adorable! -
Review from Jennifer C.
Lewisville, TX
10/6/2011
I hate to be a downer, but this place was just par. Maybe it's because we came on an off day or maybe it's because all the reviews on Yelp hyped it up, but I found this to be at the bottom of my list of restaurants I visited while in LA.
The peanuts as a free appetizer was nice. We came for lunch and I ordered the Hanger Steak Salad and some New England clam chowder. My friend ordered the Nicoise Salad. We both split the Key Lime Pie for dessert.
Again, everything was just okay. My salad was good, but there was a lot of vinaigrette. The flavor was a bit overpowering towards the end when there was a bad salad:dressing ratio. The New England clam chowder was a bit disappointing. The clams weren't robust and the flavor was a bit weak. The texture was also far from velvety; it was almost clumpy. My friend said the Nicoise salad was just okay, too. The best part of our meal was probably the dessert. It tasted really refreshing and delicious on a hot July day.
Three stars, but I'd try it again for dinner. Perhaps we just went on an off day. -
Review from Alyse H.
Diamond Bar, CA
Nook has pretty good reviews so I bookmarked it and would like to try it sometime. It's just two blocks away from my boyfriend's house.
Before going there, I read all these reviews on yelp and seems like it's a nice place. I looked at all the pictures of food and made my mouth water... I sometimes look at pictures of the food before I go to the restaurant. The pork chop and chicken paillard seemed very delicious when I saw the pictures :)
I read the reviews and some people were saying the service wasn't that good. So I kinda had to check if it was true and also I really wanted to try the chicken paillard! People were saying it was hard to find the location but before reading the comments it wasn't hard to find when we got there. It's located in a corner in a strip mall with a little orange door. There was a "NOOK" sign where you can see from the Santa Monica Blvd.
Me and my boyfriend got there around 12:30 on a Tuesday and we were seated right after we got there. The atmosphere was not bad. There were a lot of people so I think it really is a good place!
The waiter brought us boiled peanuts and they were delicious! I didn't know Americans eat boiled peanuts? Because I am a Taiwanese and my grandparents used to make boiled peanuts when I was little and I loved them.
I was going to order the chicken paillard, I have been waiting to get that dish, BUT... I guess they have lunch menu and dinner menu because I didn't see that item on the lunch menu...:(
It's ok, there were some items that looked delicious. My boyfriend ordered a pork open face sandwich and I ordered a grilled albacore sandwich. The waiter asked if I wanted it with the salads or French fries. I think there was one more option but I forgot what it was. I had salads on side.
Two dishes both looked good :)
The salad on the side was okay, kinda tasted like grass ... I only ate a little of it. But the albacore sandwich was fantastic! There were raisins, red onions, and some veggie. I tried a little bit of my boyfriend's sandwich and it was good too! There was some salads on top of his sandwich.
I wanted to get a dessert and I found "chocolate banana bread pudding" popular so I decided to give it a try. There was whip cream and caramel on top of it. Not bad, the chocolate was kind of bittersweet.
I forgot to ask the waiter if they had a different menu for dinner but it's ok I will go back some other time for dinner and get my chicken paillard!!! And pork chop maybe because it seems popular :)
Btw, the service wasn't that bad at all like some people commented. There was always a waiter walking around pouring water and a waitress was always asking if everything was ok. -
Review from Robbi H.
Encino, CA
12/30/2011
I had the salmon wrap with a mixed greens salad for lunch and it was very tasty.
I want to come back for dinner when there are more food options. -
Review from Jennifer A.
Los Angeles, CA
1/20/2012
i love nook! heart the food, ambiance, people, service, - just everything!
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Review from Richard P.
Alhambra, CA
I had dinner at Nook Bistro with a couple of friends last night. I have had this place bookmarked for a while and noticed that it was down the street from my friend's place so we decided to give it a try.
Parking isn't too bad, especially for the area. They are located in a little shopping plaza which has its own parking lot. You don't have to hassle with street parking or valet!
The service was good. We had a late dinner at about 8:15PM and we were quickly seated as we walked in. Servers were attentive and friendly.
The food was delicious. I ordered....
The 12oz Rib-Eye served with a Maple Mustard Glaze, apples sauteed in brandy, and crisp buttermilk fried onions. The steak was cooked perfectly. It was super tender! The onions were super crispy and light. It was an awesome combination.
I also ordered two types of bread pudding....
Shiitake Mushroom and Gruyere Pudding Breading -- This was pretty good. I thought it was quite unique to have a savory bread pudding. This is really the first time I've heard of something like that. It was a great complement to my steak!
Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding -- AMAZING! Probably the best part of my meal. You have to try it. Warm chocolate bread pudding with bananas.
Great Experience! I comeback again. -
Review from Jen G.
Los Angeles, CA
8/12/2011
Nook gets a solid four stars from yours truly. The food is consistently quite good -- though not mind-blowingly great. But definitely a neighborhood gem .... assuming you can find it!
Other Yelpers have described at length the challenge of finding Nook so all I will say is .... it really IS in a nook, at the right angle where two sides of a strip mall connect.
Once you walk in, however, the vibe is decidedly neighborhood bistro, not strip mall Chinese joint. The decor is cute and warm and cozy and I didn't think the tables were any closer together than other smaller bistros in the area (think Gjelina, Tasting Kitchen, AOC and so forth).
The service was not great from an attentiveness perspective, though everyone was really nice. But it did take us over 10 minutes to have a waiter come over after we were seated .... and that was only after we flagged someone down. No one ever brought us water, took awhile to get the check .... nothing unforgivable, and as I said all the folks were quite nice ... but it's little things like that which earn Nook four rather than five stars in my book.
Again, the food was good, though not once-in-a-lifetime amazing.
They bring out boiled peanuts to start, which are piping hot and kind of odd .... but I am always up for trying something new.
Calamari was good, not too greasy or heavy.
The salads are good but BIG. I ordered a Caesar as an appetizer but it easily could have been a meal. It had capers in it which is a bit untraditional but kind of nice. Fiance had their summer blue salad and he seemed to like it.
I had the shrimp and grits, which again was good, as was fiance's pot roast. Portions are large and I think it's a good value overall.
Dessert was banana bread pudding for me (thanks Yelp coupon!) and key lime pie for the man. Bread pudding was crazy decadent but a good once-in-awhile treat.
I've heard the mac n' cheese and gruyere bread pudding are both to-die-for, and the burger looked good as well. Next time.
Because there will be a next time, for sure. Nook isn't going to revolutionize your palette but it's a good solid neighborhood bistro where you can get dependably tasty food and wine and at a fair price. Definitely a nice place to have nearby, especially for those lazy weeknights where you can't stand the thought of cooking ... but really want some yummy food in a casual but nice setting. -
Review from Greg G.
Cedar Glen, CA
12/11/2011
The Nook is a great restaurant with a great vibe and amazing food, but with a slightly limited menu. I have been to Nook Bistro twice now, and their potroast is probably my favorite dish on the West Side! It is absolutely amazing and is served with a healthy portion of mashed potatos. I am not really a fan of the steamed peanuts brought as an appetizer. I would really enjoy seeing more variety on the menu--especially more steak and potatos type dishes. Service is prompt and friendly, even on the most busy evenings.
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Review from Celestyna B.
Albuquerque, NM
1/15/2012
love nook. banana bread pudding is in my top 5 desserts of all time. the boiled peanuts (its a southern thing - dont try to understand) are so good! this food is such perfect comfort food - the mac and cheese, the gruyere bread pudding, the shrimp and grits, all so so so tasty. the staff has always been awesome and the service pretty impeccable. i highly highly recommend this place. a lot.
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Review from Kelly J.
Los Angeles, CA
7/29/2011 1 photo
I made this marvelous little discovery when I lived down the street, otherwise I may never have found it. Literally! It's tucked away in a cozy, quiet corner of a strip mall. I love this place! Comfort food at its finest.
The space is small, so I would suggest sitting at the communal table. Chances are that unless you're in a booth and you're outgoing, you're going to chat up the people sitting next to you. It's pretty close quarters, but I kind of like that. I've also shared food with total strangers, which some people may not be open to, but I think it's a good opportunity to try more things!
It's consistently good, the service rocks and you never really have to wait for long. It's key to know to come early.
Some of my favorites (and there are quite a few!)
Kurobuta Pork Belly
Herb Roasted Pork Chop
Nook Burger - to die for!!
Chicken Paillard- A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
Maple Mustard Glazed Ribeye
Flat Iron Steak Frites
Sauteed Brown Rice Bowl
Organic Half Chicken
Their sides are some of the best I've had anywhere. I usually end up getting them as starters to share with the table.
Shiitake & Gruyere Bread Pudding - sheer bliss!!
Smashed Potatoes
Homemade Mac & Cheese
For dessert the Chocolate Pot de Creme is amazing - get your own, don't share! ;)
The do a pretty healthy pour with their wines by the glass. I like that they do a lot of varietals from around the world. I'm thrilled they're carrying the Evodia Garnacha!
On the whole this is just a great little place that very much has a neighborhood feel. I like the vibe; subtle in sophistication and more than enough to bring someone here and impress the hell out of them. -
Review from Clark F.
Granada Hills, CA
8/25/2011
I had the best chicken club sandwich in awhile . . the tomatos and greens were so fresh and tasty. The chicken was cooked perfectly, the bread was soft and buttery . and the BACON . .
Will be eating here again -
Review from Jessica W.
West Los Angeles, CA
7/16/2011
Pork belly.
Mac 'n cheese.
'Nuff said. -
Review from Morgan R.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 11/23/2011
ALWAYS ORDER THE SOUP! They always have 1 vegetarian and it is always so delicious!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/16/2010
I had lunch here with my Dad and damn it was goooood!
I had the catfish burrito with french fries and… Read more »
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Review from Margaret W.
Berkeley, CA
9/20/2011
I got the yellow pepper soup, herb roasted pork chops! My friends got the ribeye steak and the nook burger. We also got the calamari for appetizer. The calamari comes with vinaigrette and wasabi dipping sauce, which is pretty unique and gives a nice kick. For dessert we got bread pudding and it was awesome. There were really good! The portions here are huge and everything is delicious. And the restaurant smells like fried yummy goodness too!
The service is great and it feels really nice and classy inside!
Quick Tip: download the iPhone app to scratch for a free soup, drink, etc. -
Review from Maureen Y.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Have you heard the old cliche that "nothing good in life comes easy"? This is the phrase that came to mind when trying to locate Nook Bistro...it is literally tucked away in the nook of a small and forgettable plaza in west LA making it very difficult to find but BOY OH BOY is it good!
Its outdoor signage is understated and certainly does not reflect the memorable dining experience that awaits you.
The decor is warm and inviting. Large and small groups are accommodated in intimate booths or the long communal table that sits in the center of the restaurant.
Drinks are plentiful and can be ordered by the glass, carafe or bottle.
But let's get to the good stuff....the food!
*Note to the diner, COME HUNGRY! You're going to need a hearty appetite in order to sample all the goodness that is their menu.
Some highlights of my dinner...
-Mussels: I will dream of that broth for years to come. And that bread that you use to sop up the broth? Take me to heaven!
-Asparagus app: get it if you love eggs, especially sunny side up eggs with a perfectly runny yolk...oh and obvi if you like asparagus.
-Mac n cheese: wonderfully sharp and not overwhelmingly cheesy
-Shitake & gruyere bread pudding: just order it, you won't regret it
-Spicy shrimp & grits: NOM NOM NOM. That spicy sauce is friggin addicting.
-Pork chop: perfectly seasoned, but could have done without the stilton in my salad (i'm not a fan of blue cheese)
-Cappuccino: I know it's not a real dessert but it was still brewed to perfection and the perfect ending to my gluttonous dinner
If you are deterred by the prices, don't be, it's worth every penny!
Overall, Nook Bistro offers a really special dining experience that includes beautiful and tasty food, generous portions and attentive service. Bravo, Nook! -
Review from gigi b.
Los Angeles, CA
7/13/2011
The vegetarian entrees are great!
The service was super nice and helpful, the ambiance is very intimate.
Great place to take a friend to catch up or casual date.
It kinda feels upscale when you are in but not stuffy.
