A couple of years ago, Matt and Nikki Thompson, owners of the 2 Hearts, 1 Kitchen catering company, set a goal for themselves.
The husband-and-wife team had just opened a small cafe in the breakroom of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department on East Benson Highway and were feeling ambitious.
“We wanted to open our first official restaurant by the time we were 30,” Nikki said. “We’ve been working hard to make it happen ever since.”
In early February, the Thompsons will reach their goal.
That’s when they hope to launch their first restaurant, dubbed Nook, in the former home of V Fine Thai Dining, 1 E. Congress St., three months and seven months shy of Nikki’s and Matt’s 30th birthdays respectively.
The spot will serve what Nikki calls “New American” cuisine.
It will be open for breakfast, lunch and brunch with an eclectic menu that will include griddle cakes, pastries, bread baked in-house, a huevos rancheros omelette and a bacon cheeseburger Hawaiian Loco Moco plate with American cheese, bacon, gravy and egg on top of a hamburger patty and rice.
Lunch will feature sandwiches and burgers. A grab-and-go area has been added to the restaurant’s design for downtown workers.
Nikki said the plan is to keep the price point at around $11 for a meal.
“People will be able to run in on their lunch break, grab a sandwich and not have to worry that they are breaking the bank,” she added.
The Thompsons’ dreams of opening a restaurant can be traced back more than a decade.
Matt and Nikki met while students at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. As a couple they moved to Oahu, Hawaii as part of the institute’s apprentice program.
Nikki studied under noted chef Danny Morioka at Aaron’s Atop the Ala Moana and d.k Steak House. Matt apprenticed with chef Alan Wong, who owns several high-end establishments in Hawaii.
The Thompsons eventually made their way back to Arizona, working at restaurants and resorts in Phoenix and Tucson, including the first Tucson Zinburger at 1865 E. River Road.
“We dabbled,” Nikki said. “We wanted to make sure we had a grasp on the restaurant industry so that we knew we were doing the right thing.”
In 2007, they started 2 Hearts, 1 Kitchen and followed by opening the café at the Sheriff’s Department, and then another at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on West Silverlake Road in October.
“All of the men in my family are in law enforcement in one way or another,” Nikki said. “We wanted to do something to give back to that community.” They continue to operate both.
Nikki said the spot at 1 E. Congress St. is perfect for their needs.
“We wanted our first restaurant to be in the heart of downtown,” Nikki said. “We wanted to be part of the rebirth.”
For now, the Thompsons will be open during the day and use the restaurant as a commissary space for their catering business in the evenings. Nook will also be rented out for private parties and events.
Todd Anderson, who owns the Anderson Financial Group, is a partner in the business.
The Thompsons hope to eventually open Nook for dinner service, after getting their footing in the downtown market.
“With our backgrounds, our first love is dinner,” Nikki said. “We are beyond excited that this is all happening.”
