Massachusetts is a lot bigger than those who live inside 495 realize. Boston-goers tend to view the world outside the city proper as a vast wilderness, devoid of culture. Much to the chagrin of central and western Mass residents, Beantowners would have you believe that the whole area outside even 128 is unlivable, and that the only saving grace of western travel is your inevitable arrival in New York.
Not so.
Enter Nick’s Bar & Restaurant – a wonderful gem of German cuisine tucked in the corner of a side street off Worcester’s notoriously car unfriendly Kelly Square. Don’t worry, it’s a cinch to get there. Let’s call Nick’s a hidden gem, if only for the fact that it is hidden from Boston restaurant goers by, well, being in Worcester.
Nick’s is every bit as fine an eatery and watering hole as you would find in all of Alston, Brighton, Cambridge or Brookline. You could easily scoop Nick’s from its westerly perch and place it gentle down beside The Publick House, Matt Murphey’s, Grendel’s Den, or The Sunset Grill. Any neighborhood in Boston would welcome Nick’s with open arm, wide smiles and thirsty lips.
Nick’s offers a romantic, old-world atmosphere with dark-stained wooden benches, pressed tin ceiling, overly larger oil paintings and subdued lighting. Tables are intimate and small torchlights cast just enough light over each table to see your food, your beer and your dinner companions.
Speaking of food, Nick’s is a treasure trove of bratwurst, knockwurst, sweet and sour cabbage… it is simply amazing. Gulasch Mit Pilsen, Black Forest Noodles, and Kase Spaetzle – if you love German food, you are going to love Nick’s. They even have giant pretzels.
You may find youself thinking, “Well, that certainly sounds good and all, but why are you writing about this place on your beer blog?” Well -
The beer menu is freakin’ amazing!
You can get you average bar beers; Gansett is two bucks a bottle. Or…for an additional two bucks, get yourself a Pilsner Urquell, or one of the various other pilsner on draught or in the bottle. Try out the dunkel on tap, or a hefeweizen, or a krystalweizen, or a bock, or a double bock, or a… well you get the picture. If it is German and beer, there is a fair chance that the will have it.
I’ve seldom seen such a carefully, and considerately, constructed beer menu. It is precisely this attitude, this attention to detail, that makes Nick’s great. Everything – the decor, the food, the beer, the staff and their dress, is clearly the product of care and consideration. It is intentional, well executed, and leaves you wanting more.
On a side note – if you get a chance to visit Nick’s on a Sunday, you will get to hear some fantastic jazz piano played by the regular performer, Bobby. If you weren’t going to be wowed before, Bobby will seal the deal. Remember to tip the band on the way out; The kid’s gotta eat.
Nick’s is just one reason to venture outside the Boston area. So strech your legs and head west young man; You’ll be happy you did.