A minimalist café and clothing nook has quietly slipped onto Waimanu Street in Honolulu, tucked upstairs from Ry's Poke Shack. Blanc Nook Café, the latest project from local designer Momo Sakauye of Dear You Honolulu, has soft-opened in the second-floor unit, where a compact coffee bar shares space with a tight rotating pastry lineup and a small rack of curated apparel.
According to Aloha State Daily, Sakauye is running the operation solo for now and has intentionally kept the opening menu lean. The board currently lists Americanos at $5.50, espresso shots at $5 and lattes at $6. She also points visitors toward the ichigo (Japanese strawberry) milk at $6.50, noting that all drinks are served in 12-ounce cups. "It's like a white canvas; people can come here and create different memories," Sakauye told the outlet.
Upstairs From Ry's Poke Shack
The café shares its building with the newly arrived Ry's Poke Shack Honolulu counter downstairs, which opened in mid-May. As North Shore favorite coverage noted, the poke spot has already been turning heads with Honolulu-specific menu items as it settles into its in-town digs.
Small Menu, Japanese Touches
Aloha State Daily reports that lattes at Blanc Nook can be sweetened with caramel or honey for an extra $1. The pastry case changes daily; on one visit, the outlet spotted butter croissants alongside a lemon yogurt cake. Hours are intentionally tight for now, running roughly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the café closed on Sundays and Wednesdays while Sakauye holds down the counter herself.
What To Know Before You Go
Seating is limited, and the upstairs spot leans into a modest walk-up feel, so expect short lines during the morning rush while the place finds its rhythm. Sakauye has indicated that the beverage lineup will expand over time, so regulars can expect the slim opening menu to grow in the coming weeks.
