NICK'S LAGUNA BEACH

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Short Rib Sliders, Fish Tacos, Fried Deviled Eggs, Chicken and Noodle Salad, Pan Roasted Salmon, Rib Eye Melt.

I took the day off from work Friday to accompany the ladies down to Laguna Beach for some fun and food. One of our favorite fun places to eat in Laguna is Nick's. Last year Orange Coast magazine named Nick's one of the best places to eat in Orange County for under $25. We feel it's one of the best, regardless of price. Food, service and atmosphere are excellent. They have a great menu and they really know how to cook.

Sweetie Pie started off with the Short Rib Sliders with Fire Stick Onions and Horseradish Cream. Melt in your mouth tender meat and a great sauce. Yum! Her mother started with the Fish Tacos. Alaskan Halibut, crunchy cabbage slaw, mango salsa and chile crema. Order extra chile crema on the side; it helps make these the best fish tacos we have ever encountered. I started with the Fried Deviled Eggs- a Nick's original and even better than their Asparagus fries!

On to the main course. Sweetie ordered the Chicken and Noodle Salad. The Asian Noodles and Thai Peanut Vinaigrette help make this an all-time favorite. Be sure to order extra dressing on the side-it's the best. Her mother had her favorite dish- the Pan Roasted Salmon with Sauteed Spinach, Caper Mustard Sauce and Butter Chive Mashed Potatoes. Perfect, as usual. I ordered my favorite sandwich at Nick's- the Rib Eye Melt. Tender sliced Rib Eye Steak with Imported Swiss Cheese, Grilled Onions and Mustard Bacon Sauce; served on Parmesan Grilled Sourdough Bread. I ordered mine with french fries and ranch dipping sauce. The perfect lunch, I think.

Today's Nick's Laguna lunch gets three thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!