LosGatosObserver.com

Nick Difu, chef and owner of Nick's on Main.

1. What kind of work do you do?

“I am the chef, the owner, the plumber, the bus boy, the waiter, the maître d’, the dishwasher and the cook at Nick’s on Main.”

2. If you weren’t doing that, what would you do?

“I hopefully would be playing in the outfield for the San Francisco Giants. That’s what I would want to be doing if I had the size. I’m a big baseball fan.”

3. What do you do when you’re not working?

“I surf, I play golf, and I hang out with my dogs. I have a white golden retriever and a rat terrier.”

4. When did you come to Los Gatos, and what brought you here?

“I basically grew up in this area. My mom moved here in the early ‘90s. When I was going to school and after I did all my training, I decided that when I opened up a restaurant, I’d open it up here. So, I started working in town as a chef about 10 years ago.”

5. In which part of town do you live, and what do you like about it?

“I live on the Lexington Reservoir. I like it because its only five minutes away from town, but it’s also very quiet and it’s kind of in a mountainous area. It’s just a quiet place to be after a busy, crazy night, and it’s a good place to go and escape.”

6. What’s your favorite spot in Los Gatos?

“Nick’s on Main, ha ha…actually, probably my mom’s house. It’s a good place to have dinner and have family gatherings and that kind of stuff, so that has to be my favorite place in Los Gatos.”

7. Which Los Gatans do you like to talk to regularly, and why?

“There are so many people who come in [to Nick’s]…but I’d have to say Janice from the Indian store, and her husband Ken Benjamin. They walk around town quite a bit, and actually take my dog for a walk sometimes. It’s just good to see them, they always have smiles on their faces. They’re great people to have a quick conversation or joke with, and talking to them is always a great way to start the morning.”

8. Which Los Gatos business do you patronize most frequently?

“Lunardi’s, I stop and get all my food for home there. Everybody there is just so nice. Also, Los Gatos Gourmet, it’s a little sandwich shop down the street. Sundays and Mondays are my days off, and I go in there and get a sandwich and a cheese plate. Its simple, good food.” 

9. What have you discovered about this town that hardly anyone knows?

“Los Gatos is a fun little bubble to be in. The community is really tight, and it’s a very supportive. There are down to earth, good wholesome people here. It’s a good place to live, and a good place to be.”

10. If you could change anything about Los Gatos, what would it be?

“I think it needs to be a little bit more liberal. I know that they have to have their rules and regulations, but it seems to be a little conservative. So, a little bit more liberal would be great in certain aspects.” 

Bonus Question: Nick’s on Main is always packed, do you have any plans to expand?

“We’re not going to expand. I think that when people come to a restaurant, and they come in and get a good impression, they wonder if it’s always going to be that good for the long run. Or, are they going to get too big? But people don’t have to worry. We’re staying in the small quaint place, and I’ll be there every day that we’re open. People don’t have to worry about coming in and not being taken care of. We’re going to keep people happy, and be the best neighborhood restaurant in town. That’s the idea.”

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