Last fall we reported on the modifications hitting Marina del Rey’s 37-year-old Nichols Restaurant, as it turned into J. Nichols Kitchen. The post clearly didn’t go over very well with the restaurant’s age-old fans, who we now admit couldn’t be mummies, given their capacity to post comments on the internet. While most were defending the restaurant’s honor, several also pointed out that the updated space wasn’t necessarily delivering on its food and coffee. Today we learn that there’s a new approach and a new principal heading up its kitchen.
Roger Hayot, the owner of (now shuttered) Authentic Cafe who was recently found at (now shuttered) Angel’s, is now cooking here as J. Nichols’ executive chef. Hayot is updating the menus with a seasonal approach, daily specials, and new dishes like a pan-roasted bone-in pork chop served with a cranberry apple glaze, plus black pepper wings and a Cuban brick-chicken. See Hayot’s full new menu online.
