Nick's Grill Satisfies
Studio City, CA
Don't let the enormous Buddha in the juncture between the two dining rooms fool you. Nick's Grill, at the intersection of Moorpark and Tujunga in Studio City, is a rather classy, American restaurant serving an eclectic menu of small plates, salads, hamburgers, pastas, sandwiches and main dishes. And, there are five "Nick's Signature dishes" in the eighteen to twenty-six dollar price range for those who want to splurge. A number of unusual dishes help make the place very interesting indeed.
It's not a fancy place although Nick is rightly proud of the wood and leather booths he designed and built by hand. You will find candle lamps glowing brightly and the food is definitely recommended with my advice to share for portions can be enormous.
We started dinner with three "Small Plates": Curry Sweet Potato Fries (5.50) – a tad too much curry for me and not enough for Fran; Mexican White Shrimp Satay (10.95) – six large shrimp cooked in butter, served with peanut sauce. It was marvelous without any dip necessary and; Mango Goat Cheese Won Tons (8.50) – four delectable won tons served with mango relish. This is a definite Go! Even the cole slaw on the side was fabulous. My cup of chicken vegetable soup with noodles (4.50) was the big disappointment of the evening. It lacked taste even though the bowl was filled to capacity.
Fran's King Salmon Salad (14.50) was a hefty plate of grilled salmon with peppers and mushrooms on a huge bed of butter lettuce. The honey mustard vinaigrette on the side received a broad smile of delight and satisfaction. My Pork Rib Rack (full @ 25) was enormous – could have fed four..and it was truly delicious. It came with a huge portion of slightly thicker than thin-cut fries and some tender whole green beans with the crunch left in.
Nick also serves a wide array of hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, chicken done several different ways, fish and chips, New Zealand lamb chops and a New York or tenderloin steak. There's lots to choose from and service is, at busier times, a bit slow but always friendly.
There are only three desserts: Hot berry or Hot peach cobbler or Hot chocolate raspberry brownie – all served with either ice cream or whipped cream. We tried each cobbler and they were good but not worth writing home about. Again, however, they were each quite huge and could be divided into fourths. The ice cream was excellent! Nick's is also serving breakfast on Sundays and that menu looks great and inexpensive.
This was a first visit for us, but I'm happy to report Nick's passed the J.F. Acid Test for we will return there to try several of their other offerings! And when you go, please do tell 'em Joseph sent you for it may mean an extra won ton!
Nick's Grill, 11334 Moorpark Street, Studio City CA 91602 Tel. 818-760-3890 Approx. $50 for two w/o wine www.nicks-grill.com
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