556867 Fri Sep 12 11:18:51 -0700 2008 5 2 Los Angeles Area 0 4029752 At 6:30 on a Saturday night, it’s almost full. By 7:30, you’ve got a serious wait for a table. The place is surprisingly elegant for its location. I was expecting something much more homey. The servers are in dressy uniforms, and there’s an elegance to the place that I quite enjoyed (although I felt a little underdressed in shorts and a t-shirt). They’re having a gumbo soup special, where a portion of the price goes to Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans. Of course we had to try it, and it’s delicious. The shrimp and chicken and andouille are fresh-tasting, and there’s a nice spicy bite to the broth. The calamari was pretty good, and you get a lot of it. And what I liked was that there were a lot of tentacles. That’s my favorite part. It’s served with a horseradish cream sauce that’s great the first bite but gets old after a while. I don't know why they give you such a large portion of calamari, and only one sauce. A selection of 3 sauces would work so well here. The market salad was appropriately named. I’m increasingly finding restaurants offering “heirloom tomato salad” and what I get is a green salad with a few tomato slices. I don’t know why they call it heirloom tomato salad at all. They should call it arugula salad with heirloom tomatoes. Here, it’s a nice blend of ingredients with a tasty vinaigrette dressing. The pork belly appetizer was awesome. I mean, what can be better than crispy pork anyway? It’s the size of a brownie, and the flavor is deep and rich. The meat is stringy-tender and the crisp crust on top makes it interesting texturally. The tomatillo sauce that it’s served with helps to break up the flavor of the pork, and adds some tartness. The ocean trout (salmon) was good, with a crisp skin and very tender meat. I’m not a fan of this fish, but this version was above average. And the mac n cheese was divine. You get a large bowl of it, too much for the two of us to share although if we didn’t have the other dishes, we could probably have finished it. It’s creamy, and the noodles are soft. The crunchy breadcrumb topping was a real treat, too. We’ll be back for sure. Nook 11628 Santa Monica, between Federal and Barrington West LA (310) 207-5160 Fri Sep 12 11:18:51 -0700 2008 13464 lil mikey 1 4029767 Sure would like one in Sherman Oaks! Fri Sep 12 11:24:00 -0700 2008 4029752 10359 carter 1 4029832 Just curious as to how the calamari was prepared... I'm a tentacle guy too and my favorite way is fritti... I know they at least used to have a calamari steak. Next time wear a shirt that has at least a couple of buttons and you'll be fine... :) Fri Sep 12 11:40:23 -0700 2008 4029752 64003 bulavinaka 1 4030153 As one who frequently recommends Nook on this board, I'm glad and not a bit surprised that you had a great experience. The calamari is indeed a fritti -- deepfried. No wonder Nook is popular -- difficult if not impossible these days to get a reservation on a last-minute impulse, though they do leave some seating open and everything is walk-in late. And the best thing, especially with the fine service and generous portions, is that the tab is probably a third less than one would expect at a comparable place. Fri Sep 12 13:23:57 -0700 2008 4029752 10855 nosh 1 4030426 Glad you enjoyed it. Nook is a wonderful neighborhood spot, the type that West LA doesn't have enough of -- seems like all the great new places keep opening east of La Brea (or at least La Cienega). And the communal table is not just a wise choice for the small space, it also makes dining more fun. Fri Sep 12 14:50:37 -0700 2008 4029752 119202 nick_r 1 4031293 I was there twice last week with my parents. The pork belly is UNBELIEVABLE... Next time also try the pork or pot roast (for a nice light meal ;)). I also endorse the shitake/gruyere/bread side. I was underwhelmed by the calamari and the mac'n'cheese, though. Fri Sep 12 21:08:20 -0700 2008 4029752 182932 BunnieBear