The Nicolett, a new restaurant from Chef Finn Walter, is now open at 511 Broadway St. in downtown Lubbock. With a focus on High Plains cuisine, the elegant menu is rooted in showcasing ingredients that are natural to the region with techniques that reflect Walter’s experience in Paris, Austin, Napa Valley, and Santa Fe. The restaurant is inspired by West Texas culture and the revitalization of the area. (The Nicolett, 2020)

The highly anticipated restaurant was on track to open this spring but due to the ongoing pandemic, The Nicolett’s team thoughtfully adapted the opening schedule. After nearly eight months of delays, The Nicolett is now open and accepting reservations for outdoor dining. Socially distant, indoor reservations are being considered upon request. The dreamy open-air courtyard consists of 26 seats, where heaters will keep diners warm as cooler weather begins to roll in. The property’s stunning greenhouse will serve as The Nicolett’s private dining room and will be available for booking this holiday season.

Chef Finn Walter was born and raised in Lubbock where he first got a taste of the “West Texas sentiments” at the heart of The Nicolett. His career has taken him throughout France, Northern California, and the Southwest, in both savory and pastry capacities. He was assistant pastry chef and chef de partie at The Restaurant at Meadowood when it became the second West Coast restaurant to earn three Michelin stars. With The Nicolett, Walter has set out to create a restaurant that defines a region, in a similar vein to those in which he trained.

The Nicolett aims to be approachable and fun — grab pozole and house wine — while presenting a new fine dining experience for the area. Menu highlights include twice-baked sunchokes with béarnaise and hoja santa; a delicate quail baked in brioche, presented tableside and served with barley risotto, juniper, and rich game jus; and a beef cheek “brisket,” served with black truffle, nuka pickles, and aligot potatoes.

Like the food, The Nicolett’s wine, beer, and cocktail list will celebrate esteemed Texas producers while also tracing Walter’s path through France and Northern California. Walter has collaborated with pioneering Lubbock winemaker, and James Beard semifinalist, Kim McPherson (McPherson Cellars) to produce proprietary house wines for The Nicolett under custom labels.

The backbone of the ambitious menu and thoughtful beverage program is an intriguing location. The Nicolett has transformed a former residence, one that has for years caught the eye of locals, into a dining destination. A limestone fireplace divides the space into two indoor dining areas, which preserve original brick interiors and tall ceilings lined with cedar planks. Outside, a handcrafted glass greenhouse stocked with flowering aloes, hanging succulents, and trailing jasmine vines will function as the private dining room. An adjacent building dotted with colorful stained glass will serve as a future event space. At the center of the property is the open-air courtyard, where The Nicolett will begin service, offering a safe and welcoming space for diners during this time.

“A big part of creating this restaurant was identifying elements that have always been important to West Texas. This region has a long and rich history of artists and songwriters who approach their work as craftsmen. We want to honor that tradition in our approach to food, drink, and service.” – Walter, chef/owner of The Nicolett

The Nicolett is now open at 511 Broadway St., Lubbock, Texas, 79401. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday, 5p.m. –  9p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5p.m. – 10p.m.