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    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    4.5 (2.2k reviews)
    Special Hours Closed

    Nick's South Lake Avenue Photos

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    NICK'S SOUTH LAKE AVENUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Nick's South Lake Avenue

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    Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, a world class sandwich, the one and only Original Ribeye Melt...You're welcome
    Lee B.

    Nice atmosphere, classy-chill vibes, but not I absolutely have to dress up, but you can I guess. Anyway to the most important part, the food, I tried some of my friends Deviled Eggs, which were the best I have ever had, but I am kind of whatever about deviled eggs to be honest, so take that for what's it's worth. However, the Original ribeye melt was to freaking die for soooo good, excellent! This place is a little on the pricey side, but everything is going up fast currently so there's that. But I must say, you owe yourself, treat yourself to something nice every now and then. The service was nice, the atmosphere was superb, and the food was excellent. I hear the drinks are great as well, not really a drinker so I would not know, I normally get a water and unsweetened ice tea everywhere I go. I'm just a Yelper, foodie, explorer, and pop culture enthusiast from Los Angeles making his way in world, all the best to you and yours, enjoy

    Megan A.

    What an excellent spot to celebrate... anything! I came here with friends just to do a nice dinner while they were in town. Nick's South Lake Ave. did not disappoint. Expect to spend a few shiny pennies, but it's well worth the splurge. We went all out, and enjoyed the asparagus fries, some mocktails, and adult beverages to enjoy along side our steak dinners. We pretty much all ordered the Bistro Plate, and all loved it! All the meats were cooked perfectly, and the soup was amazing! That nights soup special was the ginger carrot. It was so well balanced, smooth, full flavored and all around perfect. My friend and I, also ordered a side of mashed potato, and again amazing and worth it. The whole meal was the perfect portion. No leftovers, and certainly not hungry for the rest of the night! Our server was on point, attentive professional. The ambiance was warm and welcoming. The meal from start to finish was just as expected for a fine dining experience. 5 star all the way. A must. Chef's kiss. I will 100% be back.

    How tight the space is
    Angela D.

    My family and I have been coming here for years, which is why this experience was so disappointing. We visited on Father's Day and had a reservation for 7:45 PM. Unfortunately, despite having a reservation, we had to wait about 20 minutes because our table was not ready. We had specifically requested a booth and mentioned that we did not want to be seated at the Chef's Table, yet we were seated there anyway. There were four of us, and the space was extremely cramped. We were constantly bumping into each other's feet because there was so little room. We asked if it would be possible to move to another table, but we were told the restaurant was fully booked for the evening. On top of that, being seated directly next to the kitchen meant dealing with nonstop noise throughout our meal, which made it difficult to enjoy the experience. What was especially confusing was the concept of the "Chef's Table." If it's intended to provide a unique dining experience, we certainly didn't receive one. The chef never came out or interacted with guests, so it felt like we were simply seated in an uncomfortable location next to a busy kitchen. To make matters worse, my father ordered his steak well done, but it arrived medium rare. The steak had to be sent back and recooked, which further delayed our meal. Overall, this was the most disappointing experience we've had here. As longtime customers, we never expected the service and accommodations to fall so far below the standard we've come to expect. What was most frustrating was that no effort was made to address our concerns or offer any accommodation after multiple issues throughout the evening. We have always enjoyed dining here, which is why this experience was particularly upsetting. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and works to ensure other guests do not have a similar experience.

    Shal J.

    This place never disappoints. Promptly seated after reservations were previously made. Booth! Love me a cozy booth. Tried this mocktail ginger mule. Trio of salad, steak and corn chowder soup was tasty. The tuna rice bites with avocado and deviled egg make for a unique appetizer. Room for dessert? The butter cake was shareable and had a cinnamon aftertaste. Consider trying the sundae with house made brittle topping!

    Tea
    Grace T.

    Saw this restaurant on Yelp and booked a reservation for Mother's Day brunch. Since it was on a Sunday, parking was free. I was very surprised the whole place looked very fancy, yet the prices were very, very reasonable. Our server, Giovanni, went above and beyond. Top-notch service overall. We were very happy with our experience and would highly recommend this place!

    June O.

    Nick's was a great experience from start to finish. The restaurant was very clean, and the servers were attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout the meal. The food was very good, and the restaurant has an upscale feel without being overly formal. I'd definitely recommend it for a nice lunch or dinner and would be happy to visit again.

    Birthday dessert
    Mster M.

    I had an amazing experience here. I love the ambience. I was excited to be able to sit upstairs. I like the mood better up there. It's not as busy. The food was phenomenal. 10/10 service was good. I would've liked our waitress to be more engaging. But She did a good job. They have wide variety of food options . Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, or steaks , and seafood. There is street parking in front or behind.

    Ribs
    Kimmi C.

    Reasonable price and nice atmosphere but seating is a bit tight and chairs aren't too comfortable. We were a table of 4 and ordered deviled eggs, taquito shrimps, spinach dip, salad, onion soup, and 4 entrees. The shrimp had a strong southwest Tex mex flavor that was not my favorite flavor. My rack of ribs was huge but not fully marinated. My friend's mash potatoes were semi warm. My friends really enjoyed the halibut. The manager came to the table a few times to check on us which was nice but he would awkwardly interrupt mid sentence of our conversation. Great cocktails!

    Nghi T.

    I have always loved the Nicks chain and frequent the restaurant when I'm in the south OC area. I saw this one in Pasadena and came here with a group of people. The staff are excellent, attentive and accommodating. It has a nice modern interior when entering. I have always loved the sandwiches (especially the prime dip) but went for the salmon this time. For appetizers, we ordered the spinach and artichoke dip as well as the crispy tuna. Crispy tuna was fantastic. The spinach and artichoke was very very rich but good. I wasn't a huge fan of my entree. Salmon was overcooked and kind of dry. Wish I had just stuck with the sandwiches. Their butter cake was really good too! Overall, will be back!

    Joey C.

    I loved the ambiance! It may be a little dark interior for some folks, but I felt like the lighting really set the mood. Perfect place for a catch up or even solo and/or date night. Got seated near the front and it was a little awkward as it was right next to the waiting area, but I didn't mind too much. There's even an upstairs, which are where the restrooms are too. Asparagus Fries $15 I wish they were crispier but it was still flavorful. Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna $19 This was crispy and tasty! Bistro Plate $27 good portion as I don't usually eat that much Rigatoni $25 basic, but good portion and enjoyable. The presentation is A+ though. Definitely worth checking out :) service was super nice too.

    Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita
    Pashia E.

    I've only tried the Nick's in Laguna Beach but I have to say not all Nick's restaurants are created equal as in my opinion this one in Pasadena is way better when it comes to the food!! The entire experience not just the food was amazing, thank you, Nicks!

    Suzy B.

    I can't say enough about Nick's love love love Nick food service ambience everything is absolutely wonderful and consistent. Service is excellent. Delicious fresh food, and love getting a quick seat at the bar while we don't have a reservation when it's just the two of us.

    Shrimp taquitos-10/10
    Bridget G.

    Everything was beautiful here, from the service, to the seating and the food was delicious. Server was very attentive and food came out all at the same time. I would definitely love to visit again and try something new.

    Original Ribeye Melt Sandwich

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    Nick's South Lake Avenue Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nick's South Lake Avenue

    Can they accommodate say a party of ten to twelve people?

    Yes with limited availability. Reservation is highly recommended.

    Do you have a kids menu? If so can you post a picture of it.

    Do you reserve for group of 27?

    Is there a happy hour?

    No, there no happy hour menu

    I'm from out of town and clean Jean and long sleeve shirt. Am I welcome?

    Yes, you should be fine!

    Are you open on Christmas day for dinner?

    We are closed at all locations every year on 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas so our associates may enjoy the holiday with family and friends.… Read more

    Do their staff sing happy birthday for birthdays?

    No, it's not that kind of restaurant. Although casual, it's more formal with rules and regulations in order to respect their customers. They will put a candle on the cake or dessert item that YOU purchase, but no singing actually allowed.

    Do you guys take big party reservations?

    Upstairs they can accommodate with a large table with an enclosed room.

    When did they stop serving brunch? :(

    Do you offer a brunch menu on the weekends?

    Is there a dress code?

    No, but you'll feel more comfortable with at least a smart casual attire.

    Hi, are how can we make reservations for a party of 7?

    You can give them a call! We booked a table on open table for 10 people back in June! But I just checked, it seems like they changed their option to max 4, they do have large private tables on the second floor for big groups as well.

    Is there a dress code?

    Business casual.

    Does this location have the butter cake?

    Yes and it was yummy!

    Do they serve lunch?

    They sure do. Just as good as dinner!!

    What is the corkage fee?

    $15 per bottle, 3 bottle per table limit.

    How is your parking?

    There is a public parking lot behind nicks, first 90 minutes free then after it's $2 I believe every hour?

    Do you have outdoor seating at the moment?

    They do not.

    Do you take reservations?

    They offer a limited number of reservations through OpenTable.

    Are you open yet? Restrictions were lifted and there's indoor dining. Please advise the status on your recording as phone rings with no answer?

    I called on 4/27/21 and Nick's is back open as of last Monday!

    View All 42 Questions

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    I've passed by this place quite a few times on my drive and had always been curious about it. The…read morecute patio caught my eye, and I saw people brunching, so I had no choice. I love a spot with a lot of character, which is exactly what this place is. Vibes immaculate, huge variety of coffee/matcha drinks, and fresh food all around. I went for breakfast burrito and my usual iced vanilla latte. Great combo. It tastes great, and I loved the salsa verde on the side. It was a good portion, and I left feeling satisfied. I absolutely loved sitting outside and having fresh air with a great view. You are given a number at the counter, and your food is brought out to your table. I've also seen their promotions on Instagram and love that they do themed menus/events for holidays and such. I have yet to check out the San Marino location, but that's next on the list. Till next time!

    Three years away, and what do I find? Same soul, new name--like a celebrity witness protection…read moreprogram. Menu's been "branchified," but plot twist: the bread and coffee actually leveled up. Must be sorcery. Vibes? Immaculate. You've got bustling Fremont Ave as your soundtrack, plus two young troubadours strumming away like they're in a indie film montage. 10/10 for atmosphere. Now for the one ring to rule them all: NO RESTROOM. So you're eating a gloriously messy croissant-sandwich hybrid that requires a hazmat suit, and your only hand-washing option is... a napkin and sheer hope. I ate like a feral raccoon, tasted amazing, but left questioning my life choices. Cashiers? Pure sunshine. Friendly enough to make you forget you have jam under your fingernails. Honestly? I'd pick this spot over the San Marino one any day--if they installed a sink, I'd basically move in. Until then, I'll be out back, licking my fingers like a civilized savage.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Fresh, fine ingredients
    Fresh, fine ingredients
    Cookies

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    Cookies
    Magnolia House

    Magnolia House

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I've heard some good things about this place and from other fellow yelpers friends, it must be…read moreworth it. Had a dinner reservation with some girlfriends celebrating two of their birthdays. The restaurant itself isn't too big but it does a pack a nice punch. Cute patio out front that takes some of the sidewalks and streets. Plenty of heat lamps which helped with the chilly nights. We got seated at one of the tables on the patios which was nice. Didn't really utilize inside area except for the restroom which it's quite cute in there. The rooms were pretty well decorated and executed. Nice bar area too. Like mentioned, we got seated on the patio and the heat lamps were great. Down to the menus, it's quite limited on dishes. Seemed like there were more shared plates versus the entrees. Drinks, it was fairly decent with their cocktails and wine. Service at the beginning was great. The staff were amazing and very friendly. We didn't order right away as we were still waiting for the last one to show. But did start off with some drinks. It didn't take that long for the first round which was nice. Food wise, the shared plate was a mixture of everything. Some of the olives, which is exactly what it is. The Belgian fries, nice thick cut fries with shredded pecorino cheese and a nice aioli sauce. We ended up getting a second order of it. The albacore tuna crudo was a hit which was really tasty. Chili ginger relish, mint and shallot, can't go wrong with that. Lastly the meatballs, tasty and very great for sharing. Entrees, the pan seared sea bass which I loved. Portion is pretty tiny which also seemed like they were a shared plate. Almost tapas styled. Nice chimichurri sauce and a side salad. The chicken Milanese also with a side salad of arugula. Simple dish but quite tasty. One of the salads that was somewhat hyped up by the waitress but it was just a salad. Decent but nothing major to rave about...lol... also the confit oyster mushrooms was major hit. Something that simple but quite tasty. And lastly the pan con tomate, rustic sourdough with tomatoes and burrata. Tasty as well. Overall the meal was good. From there, the second round of drinks did take a long time to arrive and with then plates that we shared, trying to get someone to clear the plates was another thing. Took a long for someone to clear the table before more items came. Even when the entrees came, all the empty starter plates were still there. And if someone did clear the plates, some was still left on the table. Finishing off the night, we did have the dessert which we tried all three. As it was two of our girlfriends birthday, they brought out a little bubbly for us to celebrate with the dessert. That was quite sweet and nice. Honestly opinion with the dessert, they were just ok. Nothing major to rave about. We tried all three on the menu and they were just ok. Overall, the food was great. Service was nice and the staffs were all very friendly. It did take a while for plates to get cleared from the table and second round did take a while, but it was manageable. It was a sweet gesture with the bubbly with the dessert which was greatly appreciated. The place is nice and great for catching up. Menu is limited and portions are quite small. You would have to get a good amount for sharing. Entrees, depending on what you order is small as well. But we enjoyed ourself.

    Come here for the drinks, vibes and brunch…read more Their breakfast options are better than their dinner service. I can't eat here for dinner as a vegetarian, they have little to no options. Would it kill them to add a veggie burger? Service is consistently awful. I've been here half a dozen times and I've never had good service. Drinks and water are never refilled unless I ask. It takes forever to get our order and once we do our server disappears. Seriously so bad. But I keep coming back for their good food.

    Photos
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Now Serving Coffee Monday - Friday at 7:30am
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6:30PM. Enjoy $5 wine & local draft beers, $6 well drinks & $6 House Sangria, and more
    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

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    Private Lounge Area - For event inquiries, send an email to: events@themaghouse.com

    Nick's South Lake Avenue - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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