Friar Tucks

Food has always been pretty good here. Ambiance is nice for a date, and I enjoy the live music. I don't particularly care for the bartenders.

Friar Tuck's is by no means a GREAT restaurant, food-wise, & if we had more choices in the area, we would probably not come here as much as we do.

However, it's consistently the most rewarding dining experience in Nevada City, for the following reasons:

1) Servers are great. They definitely have that "folksy" NC vibe, but they're not brusque and disinterested as is par for the course in most Nevada County joints. They're the GOOD kind of informal - not easy to pull off but they do.

2) Food is reliable. No, it's not going to blow your mind, but the burger is actually excellent, and the "light fare" dishes (chicken picatta, marsala, etc.) are - while not even remotely LIGHT (lotta butter, folks...) - consistently well-prepared and tasty.

They also are the only place around that has OYSTERS - & they're pretty decent. Major plus.

3) They're one of the few restaurants in NC/GV (maybe the only?) that has a full bar as well. Being able to have cocktails with dinner is another major plus, that also adds a degree of sophistication to the atmosphere. They also have a great beer and wine list.

4) The place is fun. Seriously, it's just a kick to hang out there. There's lots of funny little nooks and crannies with tables tucked into them, the front room has some neat circular booths... it's a comfortable layout.

5) The bar. There's music in there every night, & the best musicians in the area play here. Plus, the folks who hang out in the bar are just hilarious. It's usually an older crowd, with an interesting mix of funky and affluent, & it always just has that hard-to-put-your-finger-on, welcoming quality that makes a bar great.

Bottom line: The crowd is fun, the staff is friendly, the place is comfy... the vibes are just good in Friar Tuck's. Food-wise it doesn't quite touch New Moon, & it's definitely expensive, but I kinda feel like Friar Tuck's represents the best of the real Nevada County culture (such as it is). It's an eclectic mix of oddball folks having a great time together. THAT is what we love about this area.

We'll definitely miss FT's when we leave.... lots of fun nights had here.

A Yelp of Friar Tucks is a Yelp upon God Himself.  

When in early dating, My Wife-to-Be  grabbed me across the  table and   first kissed me there; months later  I tried hard to muster the courage to   propose an offer of marriage to her there but failed ; (  I did it hours later kneeled on her kitchen floor)  the place burned down and has since reincarnated even more magnificent;   Friars is still  it, and we all know it.
OK OK  they are not  as good as they used to be; The beginnings of what we have today involve  Sandy  the Chef  (female demi-goddess of culinary wonder BTW) who designed the timeless menu they still have  from before the moon had craters on it, who left the framework for which the rest of us humble mortals may wander in and for  a small fee partake in truly fine cuisine and I do mean cuisine.
     I am going to avoid the deep review on this one.  The only reason they don't get a 5 star is because they aren't what they once were long ago. But the place burned down and the economy has changed! Also there was no Yelp or internet, (or me) back then, but I'm sure back then  they got a five star, for sure.  
Personal recommendations:
The Entire Menu:  But .....
Southwest Seafood pasta:   I made it my life's work to copy it.
Bourbon St. Filet
The  Steamed  Clam appetizer -Holy Shit!
The Lamb:  -even if you don't enjoy Lamb
Fondue:  UNBELIEVABLE!!!
WINE WINE WINE.

This is the place to eat and drink  in Nevada City .