WHAT WE LOVE NOW

Sweet Bread

Since opening its doors in January 2021, Patisserie Nanako has gained a devoted following of people who fell in love with their handmade, Japanese-style pastries. A family-run business, Patisserie Nanako is the brainchild of Nanako Perez-Nava. Raised in Kagoshima, Japan, she graduated from the Nakamura Pastry Technical College before moving to Hawai‘i to work in some of the most illustrious kitchens in the state. For over a decade, she worked on her craft before moving to the Big Island to open Patisserie Nanako with her husband and three children. One popular menu item is their Mini Milk French Baguettes. The mini baguettes are baked fresh until fragrant and golden brown before being split down the center. Once opened, each baguette is hand filled with their delectable, sweet cream transforming the baguettes into the perfect breakfast on the go or a sweet midday treat. In addition to an assortment of turnovers, sweet bars and filled pan (Japanese bread), another staple of their menu is the Raspberry Ladybug Mousse. Created by Nanako when she worked for the Moana Surfrider in Waikīkī, the ladybug now serves as a symbol of good luck for the pastry chef as well as the Patisserie’s logo. This enchanting dessert features a rich mousse encased in a sweet raspberry glaze that sits atop a light chocolate cake. The pastry shop is known to sell out quickly, not only because of high public demand but also because of the small batches employed by Nanako to keep quality standards high.

Patisserie Nanako in the Parker Ranch Center; 67-1185 Mamalahoa Hwy. #A106 Kamuela, HI 96743; (808) 796-3630; Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Instagram @patisserienanako.