I'm in two minds if I should write this or not. On the one hand, I feel I should share the good news but on the other hand, it's one of the best kept secrets in Bulimba and I rather like it that way. The Nook, behind Hawthorne Cinema, is the subject of my indecision. It really is the most child friendly café I have ever found. Scratch that, it is the friendliest café I have ever found full stop. The Schibello coffee is not bad either!
Owners Dave and Cath took over The Nook almost two years ago with a casual, relaxed style that has created a loyal fan base amongst those who have dared to wander down the slightly ambiguous pathway beside the cinema. Those who do venture down the garden path, find an airy, chilled space to relax with coffee and an interesting menu of breakfast and lunch items which are whipped up in the tiny kitchen in an ongoing spirit of modern Australian meets Spanish tapas via Scotland. Dave's home-made marmalade can't be beaten in my book yet my husband, who likes to think of life as a gastronomic adventure, still raves about a pickled pork sandwich he ate over 6 months ago!
The style is shabby chic, with a comfortable vibe that encourages customers to chat to strangers as everyone is included in the conversation. Sure, you can grab a coffee and run if that's your scene, but if you've always loved Cheers "where everybody knows your name" then you've just found its coffee counterpart. Plenty of people bring their laptop or colleagues and work while they quaff their coffee but if you have pre-school kids then they will love the kid's corner stocked with toys and ready made playmates any day of the week.
The Nook can be privately booked for dinner with set menus created to suit all occasions. I've had our entire rugby team fill up with tapas which takes some doing whilst Bookclubs may require something lighter and sweeter. Chat to Dave and Cath who will rise to any challenge.
