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Nicolas Eatery
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Nicolas Eatery
8.3
Nicolas Eatery sits on the upper level of Beverly Center, blending French technique with Californian comfort dishes and a few Southeast Asian touches. Diners come for composed plates like steak frites, seafood pastas, and hearty sandwiches in a polished but relaxed setting that works for both business meals and lingering dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Mini Lobster Roll
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: French-forward mall bistro with polished plates and customizable menus.
Who should go: Diners wanting upscale but relaxed mall-side meals
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early evenings before peak shopping crowds
What to order: French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Mini Lobster Roll
Insider tip: Ask for daily specials; they often highlight seasonal seafood or off-menu plates.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Beverly Center’s garage offers abundant structured parking; expect $1–$2 per hour with validation, and valet is available near the main entrances.
Dress code: Smart casual — polished jeans, button-downs, and casual dresses fit the room’s elevated-but-relaxed aesthetic.
Noise level: Moderate; conversations are easy at two-tops, with some ambient noise during peak shopping hours.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes without a reservation, depending on mall foot traffic and nearby events.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk-ins are common and seating is usually immediate.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, pastas, and vegetable-forward appetizers can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a couple of salads and sides can be modified, but mains are more challenging without substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many proteins and salads are naturally gluten-free, and staff can note allergies; some sauces may contain traces so confirm during ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the polished ambiance and composed plates create an elevated but not intimidating setting, ideal for conversation and a slower-paced meal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes. The mall location means turnover is steady; walk-ins can often be accommodated, especially at lunch or early dinner. Reservations help on weekends or during major shopping events.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for kids 6+; the environment is calm and service is attentive, though the menu skews more adult. High chairs and basic accommodations are available via the mall.
Best For
Better for: Stronger for business lunches and relaxed date nights than nearby mall eateries, with more polished plates and a quieter dining room than typical shopping-center options.
Skip if: You want a traditional, deeply Vietnamese menu — the Southeast Asian cues here are subtle and secondary to its French-Californian bistro focus.
Nicolas Eatery
8.1
Nicolas Eatery is a French-American bistro perched at the Beverly Center, serving onion soup, steak frites, and seafood plates in a polished but relaxed setting. It works as well for a glass-of-wine lunch as it does for a pre-shopping dinner with approachable French comfort dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
French onion soup, Steak frites with truffle fries, Mini lobster roll
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Modern mall-side French bistro that turns Beverly Center shopping breaks into proper meals.
Who should go: Shoppers and nearby workers wanting polished but relaxed French plates.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early evenings before peak mall traffic.
What to order: French onion soup, steak frites, mini lobster roll or burger.
Insider tip: Ask about daily specials; seafood and market plates often outperform the printed menu.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Beverly Center garage parking is plentiful; first hour is typically inexpensive, with validation available at many mall tenants. Street parking on Beverly Blvd and 3rd St is limited during peak dining hours.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but polished tops, jackets, or dresses fit best with the bistro atmosphere.
Noise level: Moderate. You can comfortably hold a conversation, though it gets livelier during peak shopping and early-evening rushes.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes without a reservation, especially during pre-movie and mall traffic spikes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk right in unless there’s a seasonal shopping surge.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid selection, including salads, soups, and some pasta or vegetable plates.
Vegan options: Limited—expect 1–2 modifiable dishes; ask staff for ingredient adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Several proteins and salads can be made gluten-free; French onion soup and breaded items are not suitable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The polished but relaxed mall-side setting makes it low-pressure, with comfortable seating and familiar French-American dishes that appeal to most tastes.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes—especially on weekdays. On weekends or early evening pre-shopping crowds, walk-ins may wait briefly but are generally accommodated.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy straightforward bistro dishes. Highchairs and kid-specific amenities are limited, but the menu has approachable options.
Best For
Better for: A reliable, polished French-American meal in the Beverly Center with easy parking and predictable service—ideal for business lunches or pre-shopping dinners.
Skip if: You want a deeply traditional French experience, a quiet date-night hideaway, or highly innovative cuisine; consider a dedicated French bistro elsewhere in Beverly Grove.
Nicolas Eatery
8.1
Nicolas Eatery brings a French-leaning, American-friendly menu to the Beverly Center with soups, steak frites, burgers, and seafood that work for both shopping breaks and low-key dinners. It’s polished enough for a meeting but relaxed enough for a glass-of-wine solo lunch at the bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Beverly Burger
Scores:
Value: 6.1
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: French-American comfort plates in a mall-adjacent dining room that still feels grown-up.
Who should go: Shoppers and nearby workers wanting a real sit-down meal.
When to visit: Weekday lunches or early evenings before peak mall crowds hit.
What to order: French Onion Soup, Steak Frites, Beverly Burger.
Insider tip: Ask for a patio or window table to escape the mall feel without leaving the complex.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Beverly Center garage parking is the main option; expect standard mall rates and easy availability. Validation is not always offered, so plan to pay.
Dress code: Smart casual; polished jeans, button-downs, and casual dresses all fit the room’s French-leaning vibe.
Noise level: Moderate—conversations are comfortable, but the room picks up during peak shopping hours and early dinner rush.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes without a reservation depending on mall traffic.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick seating even during light shopping surges.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options including salads, soups, and a few French-influenced comfort dishes.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly salads or customizable plates, but not a dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free plates and modifications available; soups and fries vary, so ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—polished but relaxed enough to keep things comfortable, with a menu that appeals to most tastes and a room that isn’t overly loud.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Generally yes, especially during weekday lunches. Evenings are busier; aim for earlier hours to avoid mall-driven wait times.
Is it kid-friendly? Moderately. It’s a sit-down environment with approachable dishes, but better suited to older kids or calm family meals rather than stroller-heavy outings.
Best For
Better for: A more polished meal than most mall-adjacent restaurants, with French-leaning comfort dishes that work for meetings, solo lunches, or low-key date nights.
Skip if: You want a fully immersive French bistro, a quiet hideaway far from mall energy, or extensive vegan options.
Nicolas Eatery
8.3
Nicolas Eatery at the Beverly Center is a French–Vietnamese bistro where Thuy’s pho shares the menu with burgers, steaks, and seafood. It’s a polished way to get a steaming bowl of pho with a glass of wine and city views, especially when you want something more elevated than a strip-mall noodle shop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thuy's Beef Pho, Chicken Pho, French Onion Soup
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A French–Vietnamese, family-run restaurant where pho comes with cocktails, views, and polished service.
Who should go: Shoppers or diners wanting pho in a sit-down, wine-friendly setting.
When to visit: Afternoons and early evenings for easier seating and calmer energy.
What to order: Thuy’s Beef Pho, Chicken Pho, French Onion Soup for the table.
Insider tip: Pair a bowl of pho with fries or a shared appetizer; the kitchen handles both bistro comfort and Vietnamese flavors well.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Beverly Center garage parking is the easiest option; expect $3–$8 depending on duration. Valet is available at select mall entrances. Street parking on Beverly Blvd. is limited and competitive during peak hours.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy due to the mall’s upscale crowd and the bistro-style ambiance.
Noise level: Moderate. The dining room has steady buzz from shoppers and mall traffic, but you can comfortably hold a date-night conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes without a reservation, slightly longer if you want a patio table.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, even for small groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian appetizers, salads, and customizable pho options are available.
Vegan options: Limited—there are a few plant-forward dishes, but most items include broth, dairy, or fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Moderate—pho is naturally gluten-friendly, and several dishes can be adapted, but always confirm ingredients due to cross-contact in a mixed kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The polished French–Vietnamese vibe, mall views, and balanced noise level make it ideal for a relaxed but elevated first date. It feels special without being overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually. Walk-ins are common, especially at lunch and early evenings, but reservations are recommended for weekend dinners or if you prefer the patio.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids. The space is comfortable and family-run, but the menu leans more bistro than casual. Best for ages 6+ who can sit through a full-service meal.
Best For
Better for: A refined, wine-friendly pho experience with bistro comforts—perfect when you want something more polished than a casual noodle shop.
Skip if: You’re looking for ultra-traditional pho, budget pricing, or a fast-casual in-and-out meal.