Local Eats: Nick's in San Clemente and Laguna Beach, California

By Dani

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary, you guys, also known as the Best Excuse to be Wined and Dined ever created.

So, you'd think, since we spend all kinds of time in our quaint little town of San Clemente, that we would head up the coast for a date night, right? Try somewhere new, be amazed by culture, etc. etc.

Well, you'd be wrong. Because we have one of the best restaurants I've ever tried, right here in town. Nick's is comfort food: swankified, like the grandma/Japanese nanny dishes from Top Chef Texas. It has entrees like steak and roasted chicken and soup and salad, but with the "volume turned up" as my girl Ina would say. (Two cooking show references in as many sentences. Signs of an obsession, perhaps?)

Also, they don't charge a corkage fee, so my wine-buying obsession finally pays off, and if you go, YOU HAVE TO GET THE BUTTER CAKE. It's basically a vanilla cake with crispy edges and soft inside (oh yes, you can taste the butter) served hot with vanilla ice cream and raspberry syrup. HOLY COW you guys. It's worth breaking every diet and risking Paula Deen's diabetic fate for this one.

So, if you're ever in Orange County, you need to stop in. They have two locations, one in San Clemente and one in Laguna Beach, but if you go, you have to invite me.

{Photo credit: thenickco.com}

Comments

[Rebecca (Bearca)]

Yum, Dani! I love Nick's. I didn't know there was one in San Clemente, but I've been to the one in Laguna a few times.

Also, happy anniversary!