Ignited by a passion to establish his own cafe centered around beignets from his beloved wife’s hometown of New Orleans, barista Rowlinson Aczon soft opened Nola Cafe at the base of St. Louis Heights on April 26. The charming cafe with a breezy patio sets the stage for Aczon’s original recipe of the Southern-style doughnuts, deep-fried a la minute. The pastry is offered in sweet and savory incarnations, featuring the classic dusted with confectioner’s sugar, and other renditions filled with lush cream or sandwiching savory ingredients.
The base doughnut is crafted to be fluffy, with a slight cake donut-like density, and crispy edges. Sold by increments of half dozen for $7, the artisanal pastries come in the signature black box emblazoned with Nola Cafe’s logo. There are also variations showcasing beignets filled with vanilla custard cream, chocolate, or ube cream for $10 per half dozen. Savory beignets including the Caprese (mozzarella, tomato, and basil pesto), and Prosciutto (cured ham, mozzarella, and garlic aioli) retail for $12 for six slider-sized sandwiches.
In addition, a few Southern-inspired presentations are available, such as the Andouille Egg Scramble Sandwich with Tabasco Aioli ($14) and Southern Style Casserole ($14) with ham, sausage, scrambled eggs, roasted peppers, green onions, and cheese, topped with sour cream. All the food may be paired with some sweet tea or Hawaiian coffee-based beverages incorporating Kai Coffee Hawaii beans.
Capturing an ambiance blending Victorian interior design with a New Orleans’ French Quarter vibe, the interior showcases rich royal blue walls and white and gray marble counters supported by a gunmetal-hued base. On the wall at the far end of the cafe is a painting by owner Rowlinson Aczon depicting Jackson Square, the National Historic Landmark located across the street from Cafe du Monde, the world-famous French market coffee stand that is home to the legendary beignets. The entire interior space is illuminated by a glittering crystal chandelier. Outside, a red picket fence with white trim encloses a patio, with plants adding lively aesthetics to this reawakened space.
“This cafe embodies my love for my wife and the happiness my kids bring me,” shares Rowlinson Aczon, owner of Nola Cafe. “Beignets are a testament to the rich culinary heritage of my wife Courtney’s hometown of New Orleans, and they represent a symbol of joy and celebration. I want people to discover a newfound love for doughnuts in my recipe.”
Nola Cafe is located at 3040 Waialae Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii. The cafe is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, call Nola Cafe at (808) 737-0540.
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