I’ll start by saying parking is best found right behind the restaurant in the parking garage, don’t expect valet or street parking.

From the moment we walked in the front door we were treated like VIPs. The hostess was very friendly and eagerly reviewed the menu with us at our request while we waited a few minutes for our table to open up, she made several food suggestion and knew the menu well. We had a reservation for 7PM and we were seated at 7:05, the place was packed with a really diverse crowd, younger and older alike. Hint – make reservations if going for dinner, there was a 30 min + wait for folks with no reservation. The bar is stunning and sits right in the center of the restaurant under huge arched sky windows. The Ice Cobra beer tower is striking and serves the coldest beer I’ve had anywhere. They even have a cobra tower pouring ice cold filtered water to all guests, now that’s CLASSY. Booths are comfy and decor is a combo of warm cozy and hip, but not stuffy, great music sets the tone for a relaxing meal. I personally enjoy the glass windows that allow you to see the kitchen crew cooking. It’s always nice to see the kitchen, they have no problem showing it off. Now on to the food and wine. My wife says the Erath Pinot was a GREAT recommendation, she really enjoyed this wine and had never tried it before. Asparagus fries??? I could not pass this up when I heard about them and I’m glad I didn’t, they were out of this world tasty. For the main entree I ordered the baby back ribs, cooked just right and the meat fell right off the bone and my wife had the Ribeye steak salad, she loved it. I wanted to point out something wrong but couldn’t, both entrees were well beyond our expectations, fabulous flavors and the overall presentation could qualify for an award of some sort. The chef makes really pretty food that is actually delicious, that’s rare. Restaurants usually hit one or the other. Nick’s hit both. We did not try the dessert because we were too filled up. They only offer two, a cobbler and Ice Cream Sundae.

I can not forget to mention the service. Joel was our server, very attentive and anticipated our every need. He really made our first visit here a memorable one and we cannot wait to come back again. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Today was their second day in business. It was a really cool new place on PCH. Food was DELICIOUSSSSSSSSS! I had the chicken and noodle asian salad, entree: top sirloin, dessert: hot fudge sundae. Staff was very well prepared. People were so friendly. They really knew how to take care of you. A lot better than a lot of restaurants that I’ve been to in newport and laguna. They are open late! I was able to meet the chef and the owners of Nick’s. It was a pleasure to be able to be apart of their grand opening. The prices are very reasonable for being in laguna beach on PCH. I was able to talk to people at the bar and they were raving about the fish tacos and calamari. I will definitely come back and try those items!

I highly reccomend this place.

Supberb food, great pricing and cool decor. We were a few- so we tried an assortment, the ribs were excellent and the burger delicious! The deviled eggs were incredible odd as they may sound. We were treated to great service in a packed place. Had fun definately will be back for more!

My wife and I looked forward to trying this new restaurant where Cabanas had been for years. After waiting an hour (promised 30 minutes), we were seated. VERY noisy. Hard to get the attention of our server. Food OK, but drinks expensive. Overall, a real disappointment. After the tourist crowd dies down after the Summer is over, I think repeat business here will be a tough sell. NOT recommended!

My wife and I just ate here last night and had a terrific experience. The Nick’s staff is well trained and very attentive to your every need without being in your face. They really have it down. The food is spectacular and bar is the incredible. Great drinks, wine list is A+. Patio is perfect for evening dining, quite romantic. Did not have desert because we were so full but the Sunday looked very good.

You can’t beat their prices or service anywhere in Laguna. Well worth it.

We’ll be back again and again

My wife and I had eagerly awaited Nick’s opening. Shortly after it opened, we stopped in on our lunch break and had a seat at the bar. Unfortunately, our bartender was having a bad day and was extremely rude. The food however was excellent. I had the prime rib sandwich with delicious potato salad. We went back the following week and unfortunately got the same bartender. Apparently she has a lot of bad days because she was a real cranky old broad. Avoid the bar on her days.

The Food is good, average, not amazing. prices, reasonable.

My girlfriend got sick during dinner, before ordering she told them her allergies and when she took the 1st two bites of her food she got up to excuse herself to the bathroom. Long story short, it WAS NOT an allergic reaction. HOWEVER, she did have to call 911 and be transported to the hospital and given and IV on the spot. I asked our server to have the chef make a list of all the ingriedients used in her dish, we never got that list. when my girlfriend asked one of the busser to see if the restaurant had some allergy medication, he never got back to her either. The manager never came to our table, never came out in the back when the ambulance arrived on scene and we had to ask our server to remove her wine and meal since she never ate them. Our server was not attentive even before this all happened. So, yes the food was good, what i ate of it, but i know the kind of service one should receive and didn’t feel cared for by the entire staffing.