Spotlight Series: Nook
An Italian Nook in the ‘Hood
When you have a hankering for authentic Italian and you want to stay close to home, the West End’s answer is just off Robson at Denman. Tucked into the Times Square Suites’ building at street level, Nook has been the neighbourhood go-to spot for all things pizza and pasta for longer than the regulars can remember.
Pizza & Pasta the Homemade Way
With her business partners, co-owner Linda Horsfall is proud of Nook’s West End location’s history. “This is the original location, where Nook first got it’s start,” Horsfall told us. “The linked group of Nook restaurants has grown big over the years, but our commitment to great tasting Italian food made with the best ingredients remains the same. Our menu isn’t long and fancy — it’s straight-forward and simple, but it features the food everyone looks forward to. Our specialty is authentic Italian, prepared with consistency and care.”
Pizza and pasta are the unforgettable favourites on the menu. Everyone loves a Margherita with pomodoro and basil — thin-crust pies are slipped into the pizza oven in Nook’s open-kitchen layout. As the cheese melts and the house-made crust is crisping, Nook’s bartender prepares Burrata & Prosciutto Antipasto for a shared starter with a glass of wine. There’s Mushroom & Pancetta pizza with porcini cream and perfectly roasted mushrooms. Pepperoni, Sausage, Prosciutto, Ricotta — the pizza menu spills with the original Italian greats.
Happy Hour Food & Drink Features
Pasta entrees straight from the finest Italian chefs are the perfect share-plate. There are house-special stuffed varieties, made fresh on-site, like cappelletti filled with beetroot, ricotta, and pistachio pesto. And Nook’s menu always covers the bases with rigatoni, gnocchi with meatballs, spaghetti, and tonnarelli. There’s arugula, sundried tomatoes, meat ragu, fennel sausage, rapini, and, of course, Grana Padano cheese.
It’s a breeze to pair a comforting Italian dinner with hard-to-find Italian wine from Nook’s curated list. Some may prefer to explore the bartender’s magic with an Aperol Spritz cocktail. There’s a Negroni, or a sparkling secco, for that special celebration. Sicilia, Piemonte, Toscana, Veneto — a perfect complement for every meal.
Dinner for One, or For the Whole Gang
If you thought the best of Italy involves driving east in the city, turn yourself around and walk to Denman instead. Plan a bike ride around the Stanley Park seawall, or a stroll around Lost Lagoon — top the evening with a romantic dinner over pizza in cozy and contemporary Nook.
Nook’s staff have an Italian gin and limoncello cocktail with your name on it. Follow up with Focaccia, oven-baked with chili and rosemary, and a Nook Caesar salad to share. House-fresh Spaghetti Bolognese, followed by Tiramisu for dessert, or maybe Salted Caramel Chocolate Budino. You’ll find the perfect meal, without the fuss — the real-thing in a warm atmosphere. Nook’s about gathering friends and family — building memories together over great food. Plan a dinner at Nook this week and start your Italian tradition, at home in the West End.