THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Nick's Next Door Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Nick's Next Door Restaurant Review:

Chef Nick Difu moved his neighborhood bistro from cramped confines to a more spacious spot half a block away. The cuisine --- homey plates elevated by sophisticated sauces and garnishes --- remains the same. Dishes have multiple components, such as the pan-roasted rib-eye steak with roasted bone marrow, pommes frites, Italian spiced cauliflower, braised pork belly and red wine demi-glace, but the results rarely seem fussy. Appetizers include an artfully presented salmon poke, with its contrasts of soft and crisp textures and sweet and piquant flavors. Brussels sprouts are the best around. Lunch and dinner start with the house-made focaccia, served with a dipping sauce of olive oil and dried tomatoes. For dessert, don’t miss the chocolate peanut butter mousse. The wine list is focused on California, including bottles from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. One warning: The noise level can be high.