Nicole Welsh and Mike Jeffs of the West End’s much-loved and undersung Tapastree restaurant have been busily putting together a new, casual Italian mini-joint called “Nook” in the former (and mercifully short-lived) “Schnitzelz” location at 781 Denman (just around the corner from Tapastree and right across the street from Kintaro).

From the looks of what I could make out of the interior (it was really dark outside and my camera flash + glass window = dumb idea), it appears as if perennial heavy lifters Scott Cohen and Stephan Gagnon (the builders behind rooms like Le Faux Bourgeois, Jules Bistro, the new Nuba, Bistrot Bistro, and Gastropod) have put together about 30-35 seats with a lengthy, soda-shoppe sort of open kitchen bar. The red stools and chairs look built for broad bums, super comfy.
If they don’t open before the weekend, I’d be mighty surprised. Aside from the usual pre-opening flotsam and jetsam, they look very good to go.

Word is the focus will be on simple pastas and antipasti. I spied a nice big slicer behind the bar, too, so salumi is likely to be had to boot. For more info and photos as they arrive, check into the “Trade Winds” thread on the Table Talk forum.