Restaurant of the Week: Nikolini Café, Dallas, TX
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 03.23.06
At Nikolini Café, you’re not just getting organic ingredients, but you’re getting the cuisine of Northern Greece as well. The chefs, Gino and Olina Nikolini, are from the Macedonian region of Greece and the menu certainly reflects their heritage (think beyond Spanakopita, grape leaves and feta, although you can find those popular favorites on the menu). Open for lunch and dinner, this café in Dallas, TX serves nothing but organically-grown vegetables and meats, plus their alternative preparation method and “small-batch” approach allows for healthier dining without compromising the taste. With live music on the weekends and Fridays, the outdoor patio (which allows dogs as well) seems like a great way to relax with a glass of Greek wine. And don’t forget to try one of their desserts – we’ve heard they’re deelish! Located in uptown Dallas. ::Nikolini Café
My partner and I used to go here when we lived in Dallas. It's absolutely fantastic!
If you're in the area, you really should check it out.
My husband and I were looking for organic restaurants in Dallas. I saw this on the internet and we thought we'd give it a try. Sorry, but I would not recommend it. The service was very very bad. We went in for something light. The food was good but it was way overpriced even for organic. We had one order of hummus dip and $12 salad we which we shared and it was $20. The salad was just field greens with 2 slices of pita bread. It took over an hour to be served. We changed tables (indoors) because we were being bothered by flys and when we did, the waitress (owner I presume) took our water and said she'd bring us fresh. She never did. Needless to say we will never go back.
I personally along with my father love the food. My mother loves it because of the many choices of vegetarian entrees. The price is pretty fair for organic food.
I want to go back there to try some of the other dishes and pizza.
This has been the worse restaurant experience I had to endure. The waitress was EXTREMELY rude and incompetent. We got there at 7:00 and she did not take our complete order until 9:00 after I reminded her that we were still waiting. THEN she snapped at me and started yelling at me "I KNOW I'LL BE THERE, YOU NEED TO BE MORE PATIENT!" I was 2 hours patient enough thank you! Plus she forgot what most of us ordered and kept making snide comments towards me about how I was rude to her. The food was HORRENDOUS and dry which I was trying to savor the little water I had to wash down the dry chicken--which she never came by to refill. If you decide to give this place a chance be prepared to pay a tiny small dish for a large amount of $ and also bring a bag of trail mix to hold you down until you get your order taken. On a scale from 1-5 I give it a negative 5.
This has been the worse restaurant experience I had to endure. The waitress was EXTREMELY rude and incompetent. We got there at 7:00 and she did not take our complete order until 9:00 after I reminded her that we were still waiting. THEN she snapped at me and started yelling at me "I KNOW I'LL BE THERE, YOU NEED TO BE MORE PATIENT!" I was 2 hours patient enough thank you! Plus she forgot what most of us ordered and kept making snide comments towards me about how I was rude to her. The food was HORRENDOUS and dry which I was trying to savor the little water I had to wash down the dry chicken--which she never came by to refill. If you decide to give this place a chance be prepared to pay a tiny small dish for a large amount of $ and also bring a bag of trail mix to hold you down until you get your order taken. On a scale from 1-5 I give it a negative 5.
This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. I went with my date for Valentine's dinner. The menu included 3 course meals and was set price of $75 per person. It was a complete waste of time and money.
First of all, it was very cold inside. The service was slow (it took them 45 minutes to bring our appetizers of pita bread and hummus), the music was horrible. I could not even eat the food. I was told that the fish of the day was salmon. When they brought my dish, the fish looked nothing like salmon. Not only it tasted horrible, but it was not even presentable.
Desert was the same way - yogurt was too sour and the chocolate mouse did not seem to be made of chocolate.
Some people actually left - I am guessing they got tired of waiting for their food to be finally delivered.
incredible food. you the wait for your food can be a little long, but you must keep in mind that they cook the food to preserve the nutrients, which makes the food healthier and tastier. i strongly recommend going there
I think this place is wonderful! No rushing waiters and waitresses, busboys and managers scurrying around making you feel like it is your turn to get up for the next fare. The atmosphere was quiet, relaxed and even romantic with the music playing in the background.
We were greeted by the owner at the back door, after parking in their private lot behind the shop, and led to the dining room. There were just a few other couples there who seemed to be enjoying the peace and quiet, too.
We were served our wine and soups promptly - the soup was delicious - I had butternut squash and my date had the tomato - and our main dishes were prepared and served within a quite reasonable time. It is nice to go out out to eat and know you are not comprimsing your healthy ways and are allowed to enjoy your food! I'm not a Greek food expert, but my dish was absolutely wonderful! (Musaka) My date had lamb chops - at the owner's suggestion over the kabobs because the preferred cut of meat was not available.
Knowing they have the Gyros custom made with organic meat and shop around for organic ingredients is so rare and certainly worth the money, the wait you might incurr as I read above reviews, and the drive which I live about 25 miles away - will return and recommend!
5 stars - all the way!
Maybe if they were less bitchy about the parking they'd attract more customers. I parked there because both streets around it were full and she had a bitch fit. THERE WAS NO ONE THERE!!!