Nick’s Restaurant, noted for its causal yet upscale American fare, will move into the former Gracias Madre space in Newport Beach. It’s expected to open in October. This will mark the third location for Nick’s in Orange County, joining the Laguna Beach and San Clemente venues, and its eighth spot overall in California.
“Nick’s will continue to elevate not only our property, but also the foodie culture of Westcliff Drive, providing the community the perfect gathering place from business lunch to date-night,” said Burnham-Ward Properties president Bryon Ward in a written statement.
While a menu has yet to be unveiled for its Newport Beach outpost, Nick’s Restaurant’s other locations offer such items as bacon deviled eggs, asparagus fries, grilled ribeye salad, buttermilk fried chicken, prime rib dip and a blackened fish sandwich, to name a few.
SEE ALSO: Gracias Madre in Newport Beach closes after 8 years
The new restaurant will open inside Castaway Commons at Westcliff Drive and Dover Drive, owned by Burnham-Ward Properties. Nick’s will share space inside the complex with Kit Coffee, Ra Yoga and Dr. Terry Dubrow, the cosmetic surgeon who appears on “Botched” and, most notably, as the husband of “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Heather Dubrow.
The original Nick’s location in Laguna Beach was opened in 2008 by Nick Nickoloff, a third-generation restaurateur in Southern California and his father, Craig Nickoloff, who founded Irvine-based Claim Jumper. Nick’s Restaurant also operates South of Nick’s, a Mexican-American restaurant, with spots in San Clemente and Laguna Beach.
Gracias Madre, the plant-based restaurant known for its upscale vegan fare, closed its doors for good on May 8 after eight years in Newport Beach. Love Serve Remember, the umbrella company of both Gracias Madre and Cafe Gratitude, has reduced its presence over the last year with the closures of the Cafe Gratitude in San Diego and its Gracias Madre’s restaurant in San Francisco.
