for mother's day we headed to one of my family's favorite joints - nick's at rockaway beach in pacifica, ca - to indulge in some succulent seafood and the peaceful water scape. some of the best seafood in the bay area can be found starting in pacifica and all the way down the treacherous, windy road to half moon bay (miles away from the tourist trap of fisherman's wharf).
as you enter nick's, please, please, please ignore the ridiculously tacky wall hangings (of the fish variety), and the dark, wood-paneled walls...or the fact that the place looks like a bowling alley. instead, relish in the fact that though the ambiance seems to evoke decades past, the flavors will propel you to now. as in your tummy wants to eat more, now.
(clam chowder: creamy, luxurious, perfectly clam-y and even more delish as you dunk the house-made garlic bread into the thick broth)
(the ONLY entree i order, ever...here is the real draw, folks. the famous nick's grilled crab and tomato sandwich. a simple dish composed of a mound of sweet crab and a tart slice of tomato piled high on thick, toasted sourdough bread. sprinkle some lemon and upgrade the sammie with avocado and a side of eggplant fries)
chug down on a shirley temple, because a) it's weird to drink in front of your mom in the daytime and b) they sure are tasty!
nicks. 100 rockaway beach ave., pacifica, ca. www.nicksrestaurant.net.
