Nico's Hideaway - Berkeley

The food was better than our last visit a year ago and was good value. The service was overall good, but there was a longer than ideal wait of 20 minutes after... read more The food was better than our last visit a year ago and was good value. The service was overall good, but there was a longer than ideal wait of 20 minutes after we finished our main course. We plan on returning. The booths were slightly better than the table we were seated at, which was near the exit door.

My family and I have always enjoyed dining at this restaurant since our first visit. However, our Valentine's Day experience was a bit disappointing. The servic... read more My family and I have always enjoyed dining at this restaurant since our first visit. However, our Valentine's Day experience was a bit disappointing. The service and quality of some of the dishes we ordered were not up to their usual standards.

This restaurant is perfect for a special occasion. The portions are generous and beautifully presented. All the dishes are delicious. The prices are a bit highe... read more This restaurant is perfect for a special occasion. The portions are generous and beautifully presented. All the dishes are delicious. The prices are a bit higher than average for a local spot, but overall, it is a great dining experience.

The location/vibe is excellent. The staff/servers were friendly and attentive. The food was a great disappointment. We all ordered different plates and nobody w... read more The location/vibe is excellent. The staff/servers were friendly and attentive. The food was a great disappointment. We all ordered different plates and nobody was happy with anything. Even the desert was subpar... how do you make a bad cheesecake? My wife thought her scallops had been frozen for a long time, and they sat on but a dollop of risotto... at around $30 it was a total rip-off. My chicken was hard and dry and the wine sauce just weird. I awoke in the middle not the night with a terrible stomach ache. The salad was like spring mix tossed on a plate... nothing special about it at all. Then the bill came... and for four people (only one person had a drink that wasn't called tap water) the tab was over $220. Which for what we had, hurt.

I have eaten at Nico's when I lived in Berkeley 15 20 times. It's a real gem. Wine priced reasonable and so is food. Service is fast and neighborhoodly. When yo... read more I have eaten at Nico's when I lived in Berkeley 15 20 times. It's a real gem. Wine priced reasonable and so is food. Service is fast and neighborhoodly. When you are ready to give 4th Street a rest, Uber over to Nico's for a fresh prospective in Berkeley. Only down side is the seat cushions need replacing so bring a pillow. ;