Nick's on Main - a lunch with a smile in your heart

My mom wanted to go to lunch at Nick's on Main. How could I refuse to check out a new place. Wow. That's all I can say. I wish I'd been less awed and could have taken some photos for you. The black and white decor is elegant. I love the chef holding the chalkboard up near the ceiling. He's very cute. They have an excellent wine selection, very charming service, and the chef wanders around to ensure everyone is having a good time.

Mom had the lobster salad and I had the crab risotto. In addition, we split the soup of the day which was mushroom. And, of course, I had a glass of wine. I mean, I am me after all.

The soup. Remi the rat couldn't have done better. It used a variety of mushrooms that were well blended together to give a balance of creaminess and earthiness. I didn't detect much, if any, cream. The broth was flavorful and not overpowering. The portion was described as small, but you know, it wasn't. It was perfect as a starter for us both.

Mom really liked the focaccia style bread and pepper jelly that they provided on the table.

I was amused by the small dishes with spoons for the ground pepper and salt. And yes, they were literally recently ground. I pepper just about everything, and am picky. Yes, I said it. I'm picky. And I loved being able to put my own freshly ground pepper to my own tastes without waiting for someone to come back with a pepper mill and grinding twenty or so grinds while looking at me wondering "isn't she done yet???"

My risotto was creamy and to the tooth...exactly how I prefer my risottos. I mean, if I didn't want to know that there was rice in there, I'd get pudding. I like the mouth feel of a perfectly cooked risotto. The crab meat was fresh and in big lumps. There seemed to be a decoration of a balsamic reduction...it was dark in color like a chocolate and it decorated the bowl perfectly. There was also a hint of lemon that blended well with everything. I could go on about the smell, but I won't make you any more hungry then you already are.

Ok, I will. Wait until you hear about the lobster salad. It was semi-deconstructed with the dressed veg on one corner and the lobster on the other, so you could mix it any way you preferred. Mom said that the dressing was a well blended citrus dressing that worked well with the sweetness of the lobster. The yellow grape tomatoes were a bright contrast to the dark greens.

We were sorely tempted by the banana bread pudding, but knew we needed to be good. We're both trying to lose a wee bit of weight before the holidays pack it all back on.

So, Nick's on Main, four thumbs up. It will put a smile in your heart having the great food and great service. And the parking was easy. I wish I could link you to the site, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have a website. I should offer to fix that for them in return for the meatloaf. I saw them serving that and the pulled pork to the table next to me, and the meatloaf looked awesome...a huge slab leaning up against the mashed potatoes. Ok, I've got to stop. Now I'm hungry again.