From Susan M:
It’s a place you could take a heavy drinker for lunch and know they would be well cared for! By the 70s, all those earthy type places with alfalfa spouts were in vogue and Nickodell seemed really out of the past, but it suited many still who like that type of fare and the dark ambiance. While I was still going there, they never seemed to change the menu much towards things more 70s ‘gourmet.’ It remained a flashback to earlier days. I’m not sure what it’s decor looked like after those early 70s days – I don’t think I was there past maybe ’73 or might have been ’74 – and I think the last time I was there, it was with Joe Cocker – and he LIKED his cocktails!
I think it was on that corner of Plymouth and Melrose and stretched out length wise down part of the block. That would have been the south-west corner of Melrose and Plymouth but it didn’t run as far as the next block – some other buildings were between it and the next corner. I do recall if I had come down Gower from A&M, I had to turn left onto Melrose and head down the street a block or two to catch the valet parking – by the 70s that neck of the woods was impossible for parking!
If you’ve seen photos of the tables at the various Derby restaurants, the service settings and tableware was quite similar at Nickodell to the Derbys. Nickodell had several layers of thick white table clothes – maybe 3 of them, so the ‘cush’ was there and you knew it was a ‘fine eating establishment’ from the minute you sat down. ‘Nick’ had nothing unique on the walls tho as did the Derby. I can’t really recall much about the walls other than nondescript and think they had wall-paper on them by the later 50s.
THANK YOU for posting this!
I was so sad when Nickodell’s went the way as so many before it. I believe it was swallowed up by the fortress wall that Paramount put up when it wiped away so many businesses (Western Costume too if I’m not mistaken) and did away with those quaint apartments on Valentino Place. 🙁
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My friends Bob and Frieda used to eat at Nickodell’s for years and their kids (born in the late ’40s-early ’50s) practically grew up there. I remember them telling me a story about William Frawley eating supper at Nick’s and their daughter running up to him and joining him at his table. She couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6. Contrary to grumpy ole Fred Mertz, Frawley delighted in his young fan’s attention.
I had to eat at Nick’s at least once when I was living in Hollywood in the early ’80s and joined Bob and Frieda there for a very nice meal. It still retained the ’40s atmosphere that I had expected it to have with dim lighting and plush booths. I don’t recall seeing any stars, but I was in heaven. I worked at Paramount at the time (temp assignments) and wish I had taken advantage of eating more at Nick’s than just that one time. I was just heartsick as my friends were when I read it was torn down.
http://articles.latimes.com/1993-11-19/local/me-58563_1_bottled-water
Good bye, old friend.
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Jean
As a young man I traveled to Hollywood regularly in the late 60’s & early 70’s. Our office was across the street from Nickodells. I ate several meals a day there. The food was delicious & the service was great. The bar was known for a “generous pour”. A few Paramount actors were regulars at the time & I became acquainted with Michael Cole of “The Mod Squad” & Robert Reed of “The Brady Bunch”. Michael was reserved but friendly. Robert was friendly & interested in those around him, remembering details about my family months later. Nickodells employees treated it’s customers like family. I miss the restaurant & it’s staff.
Thanks for stopping by, David, and sharing your memories with us. I’ve heard from a few people whose experience mirrors your own – a generous pour and friendly staff.
My dad taught ice skating at Pickwick in Burbank. Johnny Kay he took my there as a boy he loved that place and a stiff Early Times.
My office sent me to Hollywood @ the last minute & I didn’t have time to get cash for the trip. Our company used B of A but they wouldn’t cash my company check because I was from out of state. A friend from work took me to Nickodell’s where the manager produced a large wad of cash from his pocket & cashed it for me. From then on, I never went anywhere else! I’ve never gotten service like that at any other restaurant!
And the manager probably knew that. It made good business sense!
I remember my Dad taking me to Nickodell’s in the early 70’s, must have been 72 or 73 I was 5 or 6 years old. My Dad (African American) born 1920 came to LA in 45 after serving in WWII would take me to many old eating establishments telling me the history of the place. I remember a waitress with bee hive hair do being very polite, always addressing my Dad as Mr. Range. She gave me extra ice cream. Those were the Good Ole days.
My name is George Wells I was the bar mgr at Nick from the early 70s till closing. I was born in BUDAPEST,ADOLF CUKOR of PARAMUNT STUDIO was my mother cousin.I say I was one of the HUNGARIAN connected to HOLLYWOOD. NICKODELL was the second oldest restaurant after Musso Franks the food was the best and we poor the best drinks in HOLLYWOOD,
Thanks, George. Many people have said to me that Nickodell was their favorite restaurant in LA.
George;
I remember you! I spent many happy hours sitting at your bar. You were my favorite bartender. Nicks was my all time favorite restaurant.
I spent many pleasant evenings enjoying your drinks after dinner in the bar. I have wonderful memories of Nick’s.
Nickodell was known for carrying actor’s tabs during Hollywood’s “slow years”. Most of them remained loyal customers when the “good times” returned. A lot of its longevity can be attributed to that practice.
Wow, Jerry, I didn’t know that. Thanks for sharing that tidbit with us.
My Dad came to Hollywood to play baseball with the “Stars”. Through that connection he became a grip. His partner was head of the grip department at RKO. Cleo spent his lunch hour there everyday. I would eat there as a young upstart grip when we were working at the old “Producers lot” now Raleigh studios.
My late-father was the Reverend Fred Jordan, the first televangelist. For many years he filmed his tv show at KCOP. Afterward we’d frequently go to Nickodell. This was from the late 50’s to late 70’s. I loved ordering the Lobster Newburg. My mother said my eyes were bigger than my stomach! So many wonderful memories of family, stars, great food, and old Hollywood.
During the late 50’s and early 60’s my Step Grandfather was co-owner of the Nickodell Melrose. My GrandpaJack was a wonderful man and was loved by all of his regular customers. It was a great place for my family to visit while we were living in Newport Beach and as a result I was introduced to a number of Hollywood Actors and Actresses during our dinners out there.
My GrandpaJack was a kind, honest and generous man. Rest in Peace!!
Oh wow, Greg! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know what a great guy Grandpa Jack was!
You’re welcome Martin. Thanks for posting the article on the Nickodell! It was a sad day when it closed.
Greg
Interesting about your Step-Grandfather. He must have been a co-owner of my great Uncle Nick whose full name was Nikola Delia Slavich, hence the name the Nickodell. His real last name was Vladislavich which was shortened.
Interesting about your Step-Grandfather. He must have been a co-owner with my great Uncle Nick whose full name was Nikola Delia Slavich, hence the name the Nickodell. His real last name was Vladislavich which was shortened.
Thanks for that, Stephen. I’ve long wondered where the name came from.
I was with Variety for many years. At the time, Steve and Jimmy were running it, great people. I know and remember George very well. What a guy and bartender. My closest friends and I had lunch there several times a week. Made many deals there. You might find anyone from any segment of the business there, musicians, executives, production people. By sheer coincidence and sadly, I was there the day it closed. Talked to Steve awhile, he said union costs were one of several reasons for closing. My favorite was the short ribs.