Nick's Restaurant - The History
Nick’s Swiss Italian Restaurant Established over 20 years ago Nick’s is renowned for the culinary cuisine, excellent service, and outstanding variety of entertainment.
It all began in 1986…Yodelling into this idyllic rural scene, accordion slung across his shoulder came a youthful one-time shepherd boy from the lofty mountains of Engadin, Zuoz in Switzerland. Nick ventured into Australia with grand dreams. Having travelled much of the country he stumbled into Yungaburra, a town nestled in the green hills so reminiscent of his homeland. He spied a little timber teahouse designed to accommodate a mere 24 patrons. The young man, now with extraordinary experience as a chef in 5 Star Hotels in Switzerland and Australia harboured ambitions of establishing his own restaurant. Standing at destiny’s crossroads, he appreciated the potential and seized the opportunity. Nick’s Swiss Italian Restaurant was born.
With enthusiasm, flair and skill Nick began step by step to transform his little teahouse into a flourishing enterprise, personalising with his creative ideas and collection of pioneering artifacts.
The restaurant’s popularity continued to grow, as did the size of the restaurant. In 1991, Nick and his wife Gina celebrated their hard work when they opened the Trattoria, with increased seating up to 100 patrons.
Distinguished awards began to flow for the restaurant as Queensland Restaurant and Caterers Association consistently recognized Nick’s superior cuisine, service, and ambience with an abundance of awards inclusive of “Best Licensed Restaurant”, “Overall Winner” in all categories and “Best European Restaurant”. Remarkably, Nick’s has won “Best Themed and Entertainment Restaurant”, for the past seven consecutive years.
In 1997, Nick and Gina successfully opened Bella Vista, a grand room perfect for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, luncheons, and meetings. The final stage was the beautifully designed rustic “Yodeller’s Bar”, the social focal point. Thoughtfully crafted from a slab of Tableland Sally Wattle, a rainforest timber, supported by local granite rock and finished with trimmings of wrought iron. The 100-year old overhead beams in the ceiling were originally a part of the Old Peterson Creek Bridge.
The illustrious collection of bells hanging in the dining room is Nick’s special way of honouring his village of Zuoz. On March 1st of each year beginning at the age of five to the age of sixteen, every boy in the village participates in the celebration of the bells called “Chalandamarz”, a magnificent Swiss tradition. Nick still holds a fondness in his heart for bells and he is very enthusiastic about sharing the heritage and folklore of his Swiss childhood.
Although Saturday is especially known for festive themed nights, don’t be surprised if Nick breaks out the Accordion any night of the week, as there is always a good cause to celebrate! Multi-cultural annual events take place such as the Mayfest, Jazz Festival, Swiss National Day Celebration, Rock-throwing competition, Italian Nights, Salami competition, Mediterranean Nights and Oktoberfest.
2006 Celebrates 20 years! Nick, Gina, and their dedicated staff are proud of their Restaurant. Nick and his accomplished Swiss and European chefs enthusiastically prepare your meal with authentic style. They are grateful for their dedicated regular clientele and are delighted to always be welcoming new patrons.
Buon Appetito!
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