The newest restaurant from the owners of Mistura and Mama’s Meatball, Nicola is the place to go for a wonderful dinner.
Nicola is the namesake restaurant of head chef Nicola Allegretta and features Bachiche cuisine that is absolutely delicious. “Bachiche” refers to the fusion of Peruvian and Italian traditions that originated in the 1800s as Italians immigrated to Peru and brought their cuisine with them. As the cultures blended, so did their food. And now, Chef Nicola has brought that fusion to SLO!
The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with a bright and airy feel. Glass dividers allow you to see the kitchen, including a chef handmaking fresh pasta!
Speaking of fresh pasta, both pasta dishes that I tried were fantastic. My fiance got the Tallarines, tagliatelli pasta with creamy Bachiche pesto, and I got the Braciole, ear-shaped pasta with a stuffed sirloin steak and cooked in a rich tomato sauce. We also got the Sol y Tierra salad and the Cede crudo, both of which were artfully plated and uniquely delicious. We were far too full for dessert, which was a tragedy as everything looked great.
They also have a full bar, featuring Peruvian flavors and house-distillied spirits. My Electrico cocktail included guava syrup and jelly rocoto, a sweet and spicy Peruvian jam. Both of our drinks were expertly crafted both in taste and presentation–my fiance’s Pisco Sour was served with a bubble of sweet-smelling smoke on top!
While I was there for an anniversary dinner, there were four separate birthday celebrations! The staff dresses up in masks and brings out dessert with huge sparkler candles while everyone claps along. Not my personal cup of tea, but very fun to watch and clearly a popular choice!
Overall, I had a great experience at Nicola. While they’re relatively new, everything seems to be dialed in to perfection. Give them a visit for your next celebration, or treat yourself to a delicious meal any day!
Nicola
11560 Los Osos Valley Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
nicolaslo.com
(805) 439-0262