The Scene
Suburban families looking for an alternative to ubiquitous pizza chains fill Café Nicholas's twin locations to nibble on custom pies and huge pasta dishes. Though many patrons opt for take-out and delivery service, strong crowds pack the informal dining room (color provided by framed photographs of Boston's greatest athletes and sports moments), especially on the weekends. Young servers do an admirable job of keeping water glasses and breadbaskets filled.
The Food
The café's pizza, its calling card, features thin-crust dough that comes from a family recipe (more Greek than Italian) and a choice of homemade sauces (either basic marinara or creamy alfredo). Choose from any number of toppings--everything from barbecued chicken to baby shrimp--or a specialty pie like the Fra Diavolo (a favorite of spice-lovers, it features sausage, onions, and jalapenos). The extensive appetizer list includes offbeat treats like mesquite chicken quesadilla rolls, while salads are large and fresh.