Nic's Italian Steak & Crab House — Restaurant in Cottonwood

I was visiting the Sedona area for my 40th birthday and Cottonwood was my home base.

For my last night in Cottonwood, I decided to have dinner at Nic's.

Let's start with the food. I had the eggplant parm that came with a side of spaghetti. The meal was FANTASTIC!!!! Great flavor and great price for the portion and it came with a nicely sized salad and bread.

Moving on to service. Sorry, this is going to be long. I had arrived at 7:30pm on a Saturday night and it was JAMMED packed. Being a party of 1, the hostess recommended I check out the bar for an empty seat while I wait for a table. I thought it was weird that the hostess sat a party of 2 at a 6 top so there was wasted space. It seems that getting a table was going to take a bit. So I asked the couple if they would mind sharing their table with a party of 1 and they were happy to share. So I went back to the hostess and asked her if that was okay and she said sure, but let me check with the manager and then was given the OK. The guy at the table even said, that he thought it was weird for them to be at a large table and figured they would seat another party as well. The server was waiting on the couple at the same time and the couple and I explained that I'm just a party of 1 splitting the table. And the waitress said "Oh okay! I didn't know if this was going to be a party of 3 or not". Then she ignored me, never asked if I wanted anything to drink and what not. So while I scoped out the menu (which my table mates gladly shared with me - since I was never given one) I also kept an eye on the bar for an empty seat. Then as soon as I saw a couple leave, I went to the bar but didn't sit down because the empty plates was still sitting there and the bartenders didn't clear it. I finally just sat down and maybe the bartenders would see me and clear it. The female bartender (didn't ask for her name) saw me sitting down at the dirty section and promptly came over and cleared only the plates leaving the cloth napkins, glasses, and silverware and said, "I'll get this cleared for you in a minute". It took a while before she came back to grab the rest of the rest of the dirty dishes. When she did, she didn't really wipe the section down with a clean towel, she used the napkin from the previous guest to wipe down the area. Then she set up a new setting for me along with a menu and never came back. A 4 top came in and sat down at a table behind me and she promptly took care of them (welcomed them, introduced herself and asked for their drink orders) and never coming back to me. The other bartender, Seth, was pouring a draft beer and saw me waiting and asked if the other bartender has started my drink order and I said no and from then on he gave EXCELLENT/ATTENTIVE service.

What really bothered me was that every single customer that came after me and sat at the bar got quick service from the female bartender while she completely ignored me. I wonder if she saw me as a solo diner that maybe I would be a bad tipper or a rude/difficult customer? Who knows?

Due to her service, I knocked it...

Nestled in the charming heart of Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona, Nic's Italian Steak & Crab House offers a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with an inviting ambiance that strikes the perfect balance between rustic warmth and refined elegance—setting the tone for what’s sure to be a memorable evening.

The restaurant’s menu is a culinary masterpiece, blending the best of Italian cuisine with the richness of steakhouse favorites and the fresh, delicate flavors of seafood. Every dish is prepared with meticulous care and an evident passion for quality ingredients. Whether you’re craving a tender, perfectly cooked steak or the sweet, delicate taste of fresh crab, Nic’s delivers it all with a finesse that showcases both technique and love for food.

For starters, the crab cakes are a true standout—golden, crisp on the outside, yet decadently soft and flavorful on the inside. Paired with a tangy remoulade sauce, each bite bursts with fresh, briny sweetness. The seafood pasta is another highlight—linguine tossed in a rich, savory sauce that coats the al dente noodles perfectly, while plump shrimp and tender scallops provide a satisfying, flavorful bite.

For those who enjoy a good steak, Nic's signature cuts are a must-try. The Filet Mignon, seared to perfection and cooked to your desired level of doneness, is a melt-in-your-mouth experience, rich and juicy without being overwhelming. The accompanying sides—whether it’s a silky mashed potato, roasted vegetables, or a buttery garlic bread—complement each dish flawlessly.

But it’s not just the food that makes Nic’s a standout destination. The service here is exceptional—warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. The staff takes the time to make every guest feel special, offering thoughtful wine pairings and engaging with the diners in a way that elevates the overall experience. There’s a certain elegance in how they balance professionalism with personal connection, making each guest feel as though they’re dining in a space that’s both welcoming and refined.

What truly sets Nic's Italian Steak & Crab House apart is its ability to make you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem—a place that combines the best elements of fine dining with a laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, you can’t go wrong here. The flavors, the atmosphere, and the service all come together to create an unforgettable dining experience that will linger long after the last bite.

If you're ever in Cottonwood, make sure to pay a visit to Nic’s—it’s not just a meal, it’s a journey of taste, hospitality, and a true love for the...

We had just driven our "new" 1993 Alfa Romeo Spider from our hotel in Tempe to Montezuma's Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument. We passed through Cottonwood on the way to Tuzigoot and we thought it would be a great place to do some window shopping and get dinner. We passed a couple restaurants, which seemed to be okay, but we wanted a "nicer" place to dine. Nic's was it!

We were seated immediately and the place was busy, but not full. My first stop was to the restroom - nice and clean. Good! The waitress came to take our drink order and she noticed that my better half had a cup with water and ice in it. She said that it's not allowed in the restaurant - the manager came by and said that they don't know if she has alcohol in it, so they can't allow it. She told them it was only ice and water, but they insisted that we either bring it back to the car or they dump it for us. We had them dump it and we kept the bottle - I've never had this happen before, but no big deal.

We ordered a bottle of Moscato for her and a Coke for me (I'll be driving back to Tempe, so no alcohol for me). Drinks came, then we ordered dinner - we figure we'd share a couple plates, so a full rack of ribs and baked ziti (I can't resist baked ziti). When I ordered my baked ziti, I asked the waitress to make sure there was plenty of cheese and to have them slightly brown the cheese. She gave me a strange response, almost to the point of arrogance when she told me they provide plenty of cheese and the cook (not chef) knows how to cook the meal properly.

The waitress did come by and fill her wine glass while we waited for dinner to arrive. On another trip, she filled my glass of Coke too. Then the soup and salad arrived. Good quality - no complaints! Then dinner arrived. The ribs fell off the bone - excellent! And great flavor too. The baked ziti had plenty of cheese, though it wasn't browned. I was okay with it that way. Very good flavor and the pasta was al dente - just right! Another plate of bread came and drinks filled again.

We finished the baked ziti, but we could only finish half the ribs and half the baked potato (it was also a nice large fluffy potato). We packed up the leftovers and thought about dessert, but we were both very satisfied.

We would've given this a 5 star review, but the strange attitude of the waitress and the manager drops it down to 4. It was so odd, we almost left and that's not a good thing.

We highly recommend Nic's. Ignore the odd remarks from the staff and enjoy the...