Nick's Bar and Grill: User Reviews

Hit this place!
By Papahem, March 1, 2013

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In December, my wife's surprise birthday party was held at Nick's. Fabulous food, wine, and service was the best. The wood decor is relaxing and warm. Steaks, fish, salads, drinks.... Everything was first rate. We were treated like royalty. My wife said it was her best birthday ever. And last night we went up for a light dinner: the crab-stuffed shrimp in the lemon aioli sauce, and the Greek salad were a great combo. Also had a "Highlander" martini, specially made. Wow. This is the place.

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Dissapointed
By HotNurse, January 22, 2011

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On 1/7/11 a group of friends and I met at Nick's around 7:30 for a "Girls' Night Out". Pulling in it was difficult to get a parking space, the lot was packed with BMWs, Lexuses, Audis, you get the picture. I took this as a good sign - if you can afford any restaurant in Des Moines and you decide to eat here, it must be good. Not so much. Walking in the restaurant it is beautiful. We were seated surprisingly fast, unfortunately it was next to the window and it was really cold and drafty. Our waitress came and took our drink order within the first 10 minutes. It seemed like it was 20 minutes before she returned, the amount of ice that had melted in the drinks led me to believe they'd been ready for awhile. When she brought our drinks we orders appetizers. They came in a fair amount of time and I have to say they were great! However, after bringing our appetizers our waitress disappeared. Tables around us that had been seated after use were getting their main course and she had not even taken our order. She finally walked through our section, but we literally had to flag her down to take our order, given that it had been nearly an hour since we arrived, we ordered another round of drinks. It was the same routine, wait forever, ice was melted. After waiting for our food for some time we asked what the issue was. I was surprised at how short/rude the waitress was with her answer of, "Well there was a large party that got their order entered before yours". No appology, no, "Can I get something for you while you wait", nothing. When our food arrived it was okay. The rice wasn't anything special, the steamed veggies were bland, the steak I ordered was done perfectly, but lacked seasoning. I knew when I ordered that it was a little on the pricey side, but expected a great meal and good service. We left, disappointed, a full two hours later.

In the restaurant's defense, maybe it was the waitress's first night, though I can't imagine you'd start someone new on a Friday night. The building isn't brand new, it can be difficult to keep the middle of the room comfortable and the tables closer to the outside walls warm, maybe move the tables a little farther from the wall would solve that. I waitressed through college, I understand that a 5 top of women aren't typically the big spenders and it's more profitable to attend to the larger groups, however, we were willing to tip generously had the service been worth it.

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Major disappointment--never again.
By ReasonableMind, December 28, 2010

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I relied upon a Des Moines Register ranking of the top 100 restaurants in the Des Moines metro area to select Nick's as the place to take a friend I had not seen in decades. Nick's was listed as number 45--the higher ranked restaurants I tried first were all closed on Mondays. When we entered Nick's, first we had to wait an extended period--with two other parties who also had to wait an extended period--for anyone to show at the host's station. When it was our turn to be seated, we were shown to a nice enough booth. It was a little drafty--I'm a guy and don't get cold easily, so if I say it was drafty, it was drafty. The waitress arrives soon enough and takes our drink order. She doesn't introduce herself. When our drinks arrive--Frangelico on the rocks--the drinks have been sitting so long at the bar that what we get is a watered down version of Frangelico with a little ice. I should have sent it back. I have to ask the waitress about the specials. I order the mahi mahi special, which arrives slathered with what seems like dijon mustard direct from the jar--a few bread crumbs sprinkled on top. There's a heaping pile of rice pilaf that makes everything else look like a side dish. The best thing on the plate was the steamed vegetable. My friend ordered the chicken piccata with capers. Judging by how little she ate, I don't think her meal was any better than mine. I saw overcooked, mushy artichokes on her plate. The bad meal was followed by bad coffee. I should note that I generally enjoy dining out and that I waited tables for several years while I attended college. I was not looking for a bad time, but Nick's delivered a dissaster. Never again.

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Lunch
By rickenbacker, January 15, 2010

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Calamari, calamari, calamari. Great food. Warm atmosphere. Great spot for biz lunch. Wish I could stay all afternoon! Great coffee perked me up to go back to office.

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Great food Great service
By ishomeinspections, November 24, 2009

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I very rairly write reviews but after reading "Goodbye to Nick's" I felt I should write something. I've been going to Nick's for years. The food is always great along with the service. Nick's is the place you go when you can't figure out what you have a taste for. They have something for everyone! They have a good wine list, not the best but good.

For someone to complain about a wine recommended by someone else is just wrong. Figure it out yourself or drink a beer! People have bad days. If I had attitude from a server and manager I would go directly to an owner. They want your business, maybe the server and manager don't want their jobs! GIVE THEN ANOTHER CHANCE!!! THE FOOD IS GREAT!!

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Goodby to Nick's
By maggiecrabb, April 13, 2009

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I went to Nick's this past Saturday afternoon with my friend for my 30th birthday and have never left a restaurant so insulted and frustrated. I go to Nick's at least twice a month for casual lunches and special events with friends; my friend has lunch there twice a week. We both give their gift cards to friends and employees. It will take an act of God to get us back in the door now. The food and wine were great like always. Unfortunately, the server was insulting of our ability to order a bottle of wine. She later became defensive and snapped at us when we let her know that the wine (that she recommended) contained a lot of sediment, chunks and stems in the bottom of it. When we let the manager know about how poorly she had handled the situation, he was sarcastic, defensive and insulting as well. I still cannot believe we had that kind of experience at what really is a great restaurant. I will miss the chicken nachos, but I will not be returning.

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Great Restaurant and Lounge. Of the best in Des Moines
By ShouldBeFat, August 21, 2008

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I eat here once or twice per month. Everything I have ever eaten at Nick's was excellent. Nachos? a quick meal for two. Steaks? cooked to perfection. Soups? every one has incredible flavor. Pasta with blackened chicken? I'm addicted. Burger with pepperjack cheese? one of the best 2 burgers in town (try Mojo's and you decide). Pork, Chicken, Beef, soups, seafood are all top notch. The wait staff are all seasoned pro's and provide great service (except one, but I won't mention names).

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