At the age of 24 Derek Wagner opened Nicks on Broadway.  Almost eight years later, and in a new location (500 Broadway), he is on the verge of opening a newly expanded version of the ever-evolving, grass-roots-start-up restaurant.  From its modest eighteen seat/breakfast-only beginnings, to its current forty seat/full-service acclaimed version, nicks has always focused on seasonally inspired, locally sourced, integrity driven food and service.  With a concentration on attention to detail, humble, passionate cooking and uncompromised standards, Derek focuses on bringing gourmet food and attentive service to his customers in the most unpretentious and upbeat atmosphere possible.  With such grass roots, staying connected to the community is paramount to Derek and the philosophy that has come to shape nicks on broadway.  Starting years ago, Derek has developed and fostered strong relationships with local growers and producers.  His efforts and passions have also lead him to establish on premise herb and vegetable gardens, the planting fruit trees in his near-by yard, and composting for the following years gardens. It has also set him on a continual search to find even more local farmers, producers and growers to partner with.  Whatever they cannot produce or grow at nicks, they try to source carefully, thoughtfully, and locally when possible.

Derek has been nominated for The James Beard Rising Star Award twice, been featured on TV’s Food Network several times, written about in Food & Wine, Esquire Magazine, Travel & Leisure, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The London Independent, to name a few. Recently, nicks has been named “One of the Worlds Best Restaurants” by Fodor’s International Travel Guide.