Grind Time: Nico’s at Pier 38 moves to new location

Customers line up to order food at the new Nico's at Pier 38. (Star-Advertiser photo by Jason Genegabus)

BY JASON GENEGABUS / jason@staradvertiser.com

Nicolas “Nico” Chaize freaked me out quite a bit last month — and it was all thanks to a piece of paper taped to the window of his restaurant, Nico’s at Pier 38.

“We are closing these doors for the last time on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011,” it said. After just missing breakfast that day by five minutes, I was saddened by the prospect of never getting to order Nico’s catch of the day and enjoying it at one of the benches overlooking the harbor outside.

Luckily, I kept reading.

“We will open the doors to our all new restaurant during the third week of January,” the sign continued. That sneaky guy! At the time, I couldn’t understand why Chaize would give up a winning restaurant concept to try something new.

Turns out, the time had finally come for Nico’s to move into its expanded digs at Pier 38, just a short walk mauka from its former location. Instead of operating out of a tiny storefront with cramped outdoor seating, Nico’s now occupies at 5,600 square foot space that boasts a full bar, stand-alone retail fish market and both indoor and outdoor seating for nearly 200 people.

A panoramic look at the interior of Nico's at Pier 38's new location. (Star-Advertiser photo illustration by Jason Genegabus)

“It’s been very, very good so far,” Chaize said during a brief phone call earlier this week. “We worked on this for three years.”

All the planning has paid off. National print and television exposure attracts customers from all over the United States, and the new Nico’s is a gem worth showing off. Along with fresh fish selections regular customers are familiar with, an upgraded menu now includes a variety of “local favorites” (including a Hawaiian plate on Fridays), soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizzas.

Taps at the new bar at Nico's at Pier 38 offer a variety of beers and wines. (Star-Advertiser photo by Jason Genegabus)

Over at the centralized bar, a dozen taps dispense both beer and wine for customers; a new signature cocktail menu is also available. If you’re looking for some pupu to go with your drinks, Nico’s can now accommodate you with choices including a poke sampler ($12), marlin carpaccio ($12.95), garlic pesto shrimp ($8), truffle fries ($4) and orange fried chicken ($7.50).

Along with the dine-in and takeout options, Nico’s also operates a retail shop with various poke and fresh fish selections, plus other snacks and baked goods. A new T-shirt kiosk is also set up for customers to pick up a gift while waiting for their food.

Fresh fish is available for sale in the new retail fish market at Nico's at Pier 38. (Star-Advertiser photo by Jason Genegabus)

Nico’s at Pier 38 is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; lunch is also served from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. The new fish market at Nico’s is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

———
“Grind Time” is always looking for the latest places to get your grub on. Email Jason Genegabus with restaurant, bar or any other food/drink-related item at jason@staradvertiser.com.