South of Nick's Opens Tuesday

The company that owns the popular on Avenida Del Mar is set to open its new Mexican restaurant, South of Nick's, on Tuesday.

The building at the corner of Del Mar and El Camino Real has been under construction for months. The building was once an office of San Clemente founding father Ole Hanson.

"To honor the historic site, designers Charles and Deborah Ramm retained the original tile pavers on the patio, which now features bubbling fountains and broad views onto bustling El Camino Real," states a release from NickCo Hospitality Group. "Propelling South of Nick’s into the 21st Century, they accented the interior with splashes of chared-cedar, hammered nickle and red leather, along with artisan-crafted light fixtures and a modern hearth."

While creating the menu for South of Nick’s, owner Nick Nickoloff and his culinary team studied both locally and in Mexico to perfect their recipes, according to the release.

"Updates of entrees like Snapper Veracruz and Huevos Rancheros sit side-by-side with classic combination plates, nachos and Mexican shrimp cocktail," the release states. "The menu also offers wood-grilled prime steaks and steak-and-seafood combinations, including a crowd-pleasing Tablita that combines grilled prawns, prime rib-eye and citrus grilled chicken."

For private events, South of Nick’s created space just off the main dining room, fitted out with charred cedar walls and a handcrafted antique wood table that seats up to 14 guests.

South of Nick’s will be open daily beginning January 10, 2012. For reservations and information, call 949-481-4545 or nicksrestaurants.com