I can't believe it took me this long to experience Nick's, especially as someone who's deeply familiar with the Laguna dining scene. To put it simply: this is the kind of place Laguna has been missing. From the moment we walked in, the energy felt dialed-in in a way that immediately reminded me of a Hillstone experience -- polished but not pretentious, lively but still intimate. That balance is incredibly hard to execute, and Nix nails it. For context, I'm part owner of 230 Forest Avenue, so I don't say this lightly: Nix easily lands in my top five in Laguna Beach. We started with Aperol spritzes (perfectly balanced, not overly sweet), along with a couple of appetizers -- including a fried asparagus dish that was addictive in the best way. Crisp, flavorful, and gone way too quickly. For mains, I ordered the veggie burger, which was genuinely one of the best I've had -- hearty, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully constructed (not an afterthought, which vegetarian options so often are). My boyfriend had the noodle salad, which was fresh, vibrant, and layered with flavor. But beyond the food, what really stood out was the overall experience. The atmosphere feels intentional , great music, beautiful crowd, and a buzz that makes you want to linger. It's the kind of place where dinner effortlessly turns into drinks, and drinks turn into "should we just stay a little longer?" Laguna Beach doesn't have a ton of restaurants that hit this level across the board -- food, service, ambiance, and energy, but Nix absolutely does. We'll be back, and soon. read more

Can you say delicious x10?! The food here is dangerously good. We kicked things off with drinks, an old fashioned and a skinny margarita, both doing exactly what they needed to do! Then came the artichoke appetizer and the soup of the day... and honestly, I could've stopped there and been happy. But we powered through like professionals and went for a late lunch entrée, the Chilean sea bass- and WOW. Worth every bite. And shoutout to our server and the entire staff, total pros. Super polished, attentive, and clearly know what they're doing without being over the top. If you're looking for amazing food with a cool, laid-back vibe, Nick's is your spot. Just come hungry... and maybe wear stretchy pants. read more

Food is so good. Service is on point ! Love that you can see inside the kitchen, so fun to watch ! Over all vibe is so chill :) Me and my wife are definitely coming back. read more

I love this restaurant. My wife and I got away for an anniversary dinner and Nick's always delivers. The staff are excellent, and the ambience is alive and fun. You can tell that the staff understand what it means to give good customer service and the food there is outstanding. Everything is great. We didn't have room for a butter cake, but the staff gave us a nice dessert as a surprise for our anniversary. They even gave us a little card and signed it. That was super nice. read more

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My husband and I wanted a nice place to eat lunch while we were in town and this spot seemed highly rated. Making a reservation was definitely the right call and we were given a table on the patio. The servers were very professional and friendly. We decided to split a Prime Rib Dip and an Original Ribeye Melt. Surprisingly the Ribeye Melt was far superior with the combination of grilled Parmesan sourdough, Swiss cheese and ribeye really tasting great. I was a little disappointed in the Prime Rib Dip as it seemed a bit bland and the bread wasn't too exciting. Overall though it was a great meal in a nice spot. I'd love to go back and try other menu items. read more

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A - Always timely L - Lovely personality Y - (good) Yapper S - So kind S - So funny A - Around when you're in need Alyssa, oh Alyssa. Best hire the chain (that is Nick's) has ever made. Celebrated my mom's birthday dinner here and safe to say we are driving home full and content with our experience. Will be dining here again. Besides the lovely company of our favorite server, the ribeye melt was also impeccable. Thank you Nick's! read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Alyssa and my mom - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

NICK'S @ LAGUNA BEACH Nick's Laguna Beach is located right on Main Street in downtown Laguna Beach, so parking can definitely be a challenge. There's a lot of traffic in the area, especially during peak hours. Luckily, we were able to find street parking about 15 minutes up the road, which wasn't too bad, but it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to visit. I've been to Nick's in Carlsbad and San Clemente before, so I was really excited to finally check out the Laguna Beach location. The menu is exactly the same as the other locations. My boyfriend and I actually came on Valentine's Day without a reservation, we originally planned to go somewhere else, but when we passed by and saw Nick's, I knew I wanted to try it. They had no reservations available (which was totally understandable given how busy it was), so we put our names down for the walk-in waitlist around 4 PM. They ended up calling us at 5:30 PM, which was perfect prime dinner time. There was a huge line out the door, and the restaurant itself is very small. Once you walk in, it feels extremely tight, tables are tiny and everyone is seated very close to each other. Despite the crowd, we ordered a few entrées: my boyfriend got the chicken piccata, and I ordered the cheeseburger along with the spicy Asian salad. Everything was really delicious. I absolutely loved the salad it was refreshing, flavorful, and the noodles paired perfectly with it. The chicken piccata was also very good, especially with the lemon flavor. The cheeseburger was decent not mind-blowing and a bit on the bland side but it still did the job. Since it was Valentine's weekend, the restaurant felt very crowded and a bit rushed. I think visiting on a weekday or any less busy day would make for a much better experience. That said, the service was kind and friendly, the food was solid, and overall it was a great spot. I'd definitely recommend stopping by Nick's, either this location or any of their other ones. read more

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Had the meatloaf for the very first time. Twas very good but I think i can only eat 3/4 and got full. Service was Mahvelous even at the bar area. And the place is small and cozy but do reserve to get a seat. Otherwise try your luck at the bar area. Verdict - good as always! Austen at the bar area has always delivered. read more

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My partner introduced me to Nick's and it's become a go to date night spot for us. Right by the main shops of Laguna, it's a small but stylish space serving some really tasty dishes. It's absolutely perfect for a date night, especially if you want to walk by the beach before or after your dinner. The cocktails, while none have ever truly stood out to me, are all pretty solid. As far as food goes, the crispy chicken sandwich is my personal favorite, but every entree I've had from Nick's has been great. The real star of the show is dessert here. The butter cake is a must. If you order one thing from Nick's it's gotta be the butter cake. It's served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and is moist, with the PERFECT flavor. We were going to order it our last visit, but they surprised us with an anniversary dessert, and we were just too full to eat anything else. Still the butter cake may be our favorite menu item and is worth a visit alone. Service wise Nick's mostly succeeds. Occasionally we've had a miss, but most of the time they're solid and we've never had a really bad experience. Stephanie, is one of our favorite servers! We've had her a few times and she's so friendly, and will definitely make sure you're taken care of. We'll definitely be back at Nick's in the future when we stop by Laguna. read more

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Yum!! Sunday brunch & the wait was of course longer than usual. It was worth it! The space is tight but that's only to maximize seating & reduce wait times. I come here all the time but never breakfast. We had the el jefe breakfast burrito & eggs Benedict. I was surprised the avocado came on a separate place & not in the meal. Both were good but I would definitely go with the breakfast burrito next time. It's absolutely delicious! read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Breakfast burrito - el jefe - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Delicious and fresh food with solid and friendly service.greatly lively ambiance too. I'd highly recommend the Cioppino, large portion with great side of bread read more

I stumbled across Nick's Laguna Beach while walking around and noticed it had great reviews, which immediately made me curious. We walked in on a Sunday without a reservation and were seated right away, which was a great start. Our table was a very small booth right next to the center island bar, so things felt a bit compact, but the overall ambiance was lively and energetic. For a Sunday, the place was buzzing in a good way and definitely felt like a popular local spot. Our waitress was very nice and attentive throughout the meal, even with how busy and chaotic the restaurant felt. Service never slipped, which I really appreciated. The food itself was good and enjoyable, but nothing that really blew me away or made me think about coming back immediately just for a specific dish. One downside that oddly stood out to me was the lack of cell service or internet reception inside. It made the space feel a little boxed in, almost like you were cut off from the outside world, and for some reason that stuck with me more than I expected. Overall, it was a nice dinner with good energy and solid service. Chaotic, but in the best way possible. I'd come back if I were in the area again, but it's not a must return spot for me, which is why this lands comfortably at four stars. read more

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One of my favorite spots. The blackened fish sandwich is my go to comfort food here, coupled with the salad. Relaxing vibe and excellent bar service. Great place to escape to and unwind. Steps from the beach! read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Blackened fish sandwich - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Loved this place last time we went thought we'd try it again this time I had fried chicken mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuit and corn on the cob! Well it was so great! topped it off with a butter cake and a hot latte delicious the service was excellent and such a wonderful restaurant overlooking PCH. Thanks again. See you next time.! read more

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Awesome spot, love it! This is probably one of my favorite American restaurants. The quality of food is just amazing. The menu is super simple so you know ask the dishes are gonna be great. I usually order the sea bass but I went for the fried chicken. This was super tender and comes with a bed of mashed potatoes. My wife ordered the baby back ribs and these were super tender. It's so cool to see that this place has ribs better than a lot of bbq spots. We also started with asparagus fries, which I highly recommend. Of course, we finished the end of our meal with their famous butter cake. The ambience was super cozy. It definitely can get busy especially on a Saturday night. Service was excellent as well. I really don't see a place better than this. read more

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There are restaurants you try once, and restaurants you build rituals around. Nick's is the latter. From the moment you walk in, it feels dialed in. The energy is polished but relaxed, the service confident without hovering, and the food hits that rare balance of comfort and execution. The Fried Chicken and Gravy Mashed is reason enough to come back. Crispy, juicy, unapologetically indulgent, and deeply satisfying. There is never a bad time for Fried Chicken and Gravy Mashed, and Nick's proves that point every single visit. The menu is thoughtful, the cocktails are consistent, and the experience never slips. Whether it's a casual lunch, date night, or out of town guests you want to impress, Nick's delivers every time. Laguna Beach has plenty of options. This is the one you return to. read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Highly recommend reservations especially on the weekends because it's a small space and busy! The food is pretty good and a nice variety. I ended up getting the San Francisco Choppino and it came with a good size of sourdough bread. The seafood was well cooked and seasoned. Definitely could feed two and ended up taking some home since it was a good amount. Cocktails are good and overall good vibes here! read more

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Solid place. Really nice vibe. Very pricey but the menu looks good. Service was very nice. read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Food menu 3/2/26 - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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Went here this week for my birthday! Everything was great! The food was superb, the service was even better, thank you Dominic! We asked for suggestions on menu items and ended up with the corn chowder, artichoke hearts, deviled eggs, and ribeye sandwich. Every single thing was excellent. Thank you Dominic for your friendly attitude and demeanor - I'll be back soon! read more

Been to Nick's many many times at various locations, but it had been a minute since I've been to the Laguna Beach location. Sat in the patio, which is always nice, but the tables are really small. Started off with espresso martinis, and the soup of the day, which was butternut squash, my favorite of all time soups! The soup was amazing and the espresso martini was OK. For main entrées, we got the salmon and the ribeye melt. Both were very delicious, but I felt a little overwhelmed with the amount of butter and oil in both dishes made them both a little too heavy for my taste, and generally remember Nick's dishes is not being as heavy in the past so not sure if anything changed or my appetite is a little bit different these days. Our servers were great and the vibes are always 10 out of 10. Will be coming back for the many years ahead. read more

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I brought my niece here for her birthday lunch, thinking they would sing or give her something little for her birthday since that's what we were celebrating. I even said we were celebrating her sweet 16! I had asked at the front desk and they told me they would do something little for her. And then I also told the waitress, but what she got was a card wishing her a happy birthday. Very disappointing. I would've taken her somewhere else that would've saying or given her a little something. We got the clam chowder which she really liked. I thought it was good as well and it wasn't overloaded with potatoes. You could see the calms so that was good. We also got the shrimp Taquitos and tuna tare tare. The shrimp Taquitos were crunchy & good. Good size on the shrimps. The tuna tare tare was good but chip ratio was off but she did bring is a couple more which was nice. It then took a little bit ringer our bill but it was good. But would probably try another restaurant next time. read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Tuna tare tare - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

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pretty good! we got the calamari, clam chowder, and steak. the inside of the restaurant is really nice and service was good too. the best was the clam chowder and calamari was pretty solid too. read more

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We had an amazing birthday dinner for my girlfriend! Michael, our server was great. He provided great service. Drinks were amazing. Appetizers amazing. Food amazing. Dessert amazing. Ambiance amazing. They came with a candle on a chocolate cake for the comp birthday treat. So good. 10/10 Public Parking lot on street behind the restaurant parallel to PCH. $3/hr. read more

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This is our favorite Nick's location! It is tinier than other locations, which actually adds to its charm. We love the cozy, calm, elevated, dark and intimate vibe, but not intimidating. This time we tried something different or new to us, only because we saw someone from the other table order it. We tried the buttermilk fried chicken. It was good, but not "Nick's" good. We made a mental note not to order this again. For something like this, we can get it somewhere else. Nothing really special, but I love the corn on a cob that came with it. As usual, the Cha Cha Spicy Rigatoni is sooo good! It doesn't have any protein, yet we enjoy it all the time! This is something I'd go to Nick's for! Service is good as usual! This time we joined the waitlist which is sooner than the reservation availability. We didn't have to wait long and enjoyed another wonderful dinner at Nick's! read more

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I've had chicken fried chicken all over the country, and nothing comes close to the one at Nick's Laguna Beach. The crust is golden and perfectly crisp, with just the right amount of seasoning. Underneath, the chicken is unbelievably tender--almost melts in your mouth--and served in a way that makes every bite pure comfort food bliss. I even celebrated my 50th birthday here, and the team made it unforgettable--they surprised me with a card signed by the entire wait staff. That kind of personal touch says everything about how much they care. The vibe here is awesome too--laid back, stylish, and the staff makes you feel right at home. Every time I'm in Laguna, this is my must-stop spot. If you love chicken fried chicken, you need to try this. It's my favorite dish almost anywhere in the US. read more

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My wife and I went to Nick's to celebrate our 15th anniversary. The staff was friendly, professional, and added a lot of personal touches to help us celebrate. The Center Cut Filet was so good! My wife loved her Ribeye Salad as well. The Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita was unique and so tasty. Our favorite thing was the Warm Butter Cake. Perfection! Nick's is a fun place to eat that feels like a nice steakhouse mixed with a fun and friendly bar. read more

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Have been many times but finally getting around to posting a review. The food here is great and so is service! I will say, the restaurant doesn't seem to have air conditioning, as it was quite hot inside when we dined. It was uncomfortable as a guest and must've been even worse for the staff - I felt bad for the servers having to run around with no AC. But our server Casey was attentive and friendly and I could tell he had been a server in the industry for a while, he was very good at his job. I ordered the Fried chicken and gravy with biscuits and it was phenomenal! My friend ordered the bistro plate and seemed to really enjoy her food as well. Everything came out in an appropriate amount of time and was still hot, and so so delicious. It's always a great experience eating here and I look forward to my next visit next time I'm at the beach! Side note: since this restaurant is just steps away from the beach, your best bet is to park on the street or the parking structure around the corner. You can also do valet at South of Nick's (their sister property) and then walk over to Nick's. read more

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Didn't realize the only review I posted for Nick's was over 9 years ago. Actually been here and the San Clemente locations a few times since. Happy to report that everything is still as good as the first time (if not better). The calamari was excellent, so tender just lightly breaded and came with cocktail sauce and tartar sauce. For entrees, hubs had the San Fran Cioppino which was as good as always. I opted for the Bistro plate with a petite filet mignon, topped with steak butter served on garlic toast, petite bistro salad, and a cup of the best french onion soup outside of Paris. I would absolutely order that again! For drinks, both the Yuzu Old Fashioned by Austen and the zero-proof Yuzu Berry were outstanding. Service from Aubrey, Austen and the rest of the staff were excellent. There's valet parking offered at South of Nick's. read more

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Always a good time at Nick's. I make it a point to drop by whenever I'm at Laguna. The Original Ribeye Melt never disappoints, and Nick's Blonde Ale is a great companion. Service is great, fast and friendly, and the vibe is just right, relaxing and welcoming. read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

My first impression when I walked in was "we're gonna pay a lot for a little". I love being wrong - it was a lot of food and decently priced. On top of it - everything was just soo good. We split a few things. Bistro salad - everything was cut up small enough to mix all of the great flavors together. I rarely care about a salad - but I need to get this Every time now. Cheeseburger. Great meat. Great seasoning. Sesame seed bun had just the right amount of seeds and wasnt too thick or dry. Solid burger and worth the price. Fried chicken. This was a pleasure for my mouth. Two pieces of fried chicken with a soft but crispy, well seasoned batter. I couldn't chew fast enough. Mashed potatoes with gravy - as a piggy piggy - I wanted more gravy - but it actually was the right amount. The corn on the cob was soft and plump with good seasoning. The biscuit seemed like it was made from scratch there and it was perfect. I need to get this every time I visit Laguna from now on. We ended with their butter cake. It was so delightful- even though i was full - I couldn't chew fast have eaten the whole thing myself. It was hard to stop taking bites. Even in the togo box - I kept wondering if there was going to be anything left. The staff was ao great and honest and helped us make all of the right decisions. It's like they were working for my mouth. I felt like there were too many people working (and that's what made me think the whole thing was going to cost too much) - but let me make it clear - the price was great and the staff was just amazing. I (my mouth especially) am definitely excited to come back. Thank you read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Fried Chicken - Amazing - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Best American food in Laguna Great service, Best buttermilk chicken and gravy, corn and mashed potatoes and biscuits. Highly recommended! Carlos Jr. read more

This establishment seems to consistently deliver on food and service. One thing is certain, if you're trying to visit during peak hours, reservations are recommended. Food & Drinks - 4* They always have a good mix of cocktails, wine, and beer. On this visit we had the Fig Old Fashioned and an IPA. For food, we went with some tuna tartare to start and the chicken Piccata for dinner. The tuna tartare is a hit small in portion, but it's delicious. Nothing beats some fresh tuna! The chicken piccata was a healthy portion with two cutlets and a bed of greens. Service - 5* Here's where I feel Nick's stands out. No matter where we sit, there is consistent service. Someone is always checking in to make sure you have what you need, place any additional orders, and keep your water filled. Cost - 4.5* As I say, subjective, but in general the pricing is quite good for the location, quantity, and quality of delivery. Overall - 5* If you're looking to enjoy Laguna Beach as a local or a visitor, Nick's isn't going to disappoint. This area always has lots of tourists, but it still takes pride in delivering good food and service. read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Chicken Piccata - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

Soooo yummy! Everything was a 10/10. Got the asparagus fries and crispy checking sandwich. Needing to get both of those again asap! Also to top everything off the butter cake is hands down the best dessert ever. Absolute must! Vibes were great all around and our waitress Maria was amazing! read more

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Laguna Beach, CA. I've been to a lot of famous rib places. The cellar in Memphis. Salt Lick in Texas. The place in San Juan Capistrano, (To name a few). I have never been 100% satisfied. I know fall off the bone delicious does not reflect their "Style". But it sure is what I like, and Nick's delivers big time. Why go to SJC for ribs sold by the pound and pay over $50 for ribs you have to gnaw at when you can just come to Nick's for a beautiful rack of perfectly cooked ribs, with a perfect sauce and glaze, for $36? The sauce isn't overly bold, not too sweet, and not at all vinegary. The glaze is just a perfect highlight. The meat just falls off the bone, you could easily eat these ribs with a fork if you wanted too. A damp towel is provided though, for those of us who like to pick them up. No crappy cold sauce in a plastic squeeze bottle will be found here! Instead of cheap coleslaw, to accompany the ribs, Nick's provides a wonderful salad that goes beyond a slaw. It is called a Bistro salad, and it is just perfect in freshness, texture, and taste. We ordered an additional one to go with the fabulous shrimp taquitos. Do try these, they are unique and delicious, Even the fries are superb, not at all greasy or oily, and apparently cut from fresh potato's. They are stingy with the catsup, not sure why that would be. Then there is Nick's take on the traditional banana cream pie. The presentation is eye popping. The construction is artful. Real whipped cream, great custard, nicely layered bananas, nothing fake. I savored this great dessert slowly. We were greeted, after waiting awhile, and led to our table which was a two seat highboy near the bar. He said all the lower normal tables were reserved including all the empty tables on the patio. The highboy was ok for a while but became uncomfortable after a short time due to the simple fact that I'm old. On this Monday at 5:00 pm, other restaurants in the area were empty. Nick's was jammed. The success may lead servers and hosts to be a bit condescending, like they are doing you a big favor for seating you. Maybe they are, but I'm one of those whose presence contributes, even in a small way, to that success. read more

Nick's Laguna Beach - Banana Cream Pie - American Near Me - Laguna Beach, California

A must have! From the door to the table A+! The staff are welcoming and attentive even those walking through that aren't providing direct service to you. We ordered with John who gave us excellent info on menu items helping us make great selections. My husband had the St. Louis ribs which came with fries and chopped kale salad. The ribs had a sweet pineapple bbq sauce and fell off the bone. Came with a warm towel for your hands, great touch. My order was the maple glazed meatloaf on mash potatoes accompanied with asparagus and carrot in a delicious savory sauce. Wow and wow! Everything was great! I ordered a martini espresso that was absolutely delish! We will definitely return. Thanks Nicks for an exquisite top notch experience. The inside was clean and cozy and even the restroom was top notch. read more

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My friends and I decided to try this place while we were walking around Laguna Beach. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The staff were all very nice although I wish they wouldnt start cleaning up our table before we even left. I found that to be distasteful. We came for lunch so we didn't see many people and we were seated immediately. We chose to sit outdoors and even then, there wasn't much noise or foot traffic. Other than that, the food was amazing! We had the Spicy Thai and Grilled Steakhouse. Perfect to share amongst three people. Would be interested in coming back to try other menu items. read more

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We were promptly greeted and seated when we walked in on a Thursday afternoon for lunch. John was our server. He was very friendly, and accommodating and he had a great sense of humor. He had good energy. Our food arrived promptly. I had the homemade tomato basil bisque and it was outstanding. My husband had a house salad and really liked it. We split a crispy chicken sandwich. It was also delicious. Loved the ambience of the restaurant. It's very modern and comfortable. The next time I am in Laguna Beach, I'm going to make a special point of going back to Nick's! read more

Ricardo the bartender just made it an uncomfortable experience from start to finish. I don't know who trained him on interacting with people, but he should not be in a role talking to people. Everyone else was kind. read more

Found this place while on a short vacation in the area and we are glad we did. Their kitchen was open until 10 which was a nice plus. We ordered the deviled egg appetizer, Bistro Plate, meatloaf, and butter cake for dessert and it was very tasty! Great atmosphere and quality service was a plus. Will be back again read more

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My friend, husband, and I went to Nick's for lunch on Saturday and had such a blast! We sat on the patio and all shared the tuna tartare, the local market salad with chicken, and cha cha's spicy rigatoni. Everything was absolutely delicious!! The tuna was so fresh and delicious, and they brought us extra wonton chips when we ran out of them originally. The salad was also amazing - we got both ranch and the champagne vinaigrette on the side and both dressings were so good. The chicken was also perfectly seasoned and paired so well with the bacon. And the pasta was spot on, too! The perfect amount of spice and so flavorful. I feel like this was also the perfect amount of food for 3, and we split a bottle of rose. Great meal for a great day!! read more