If anyone understands the Thurston County restaurant scene, it’s Olympia native Rick Nelsen. The grandson of restaurateur Dave Wilson — owner of Olympia’s famed Dirty Dave’s Pizza Parlor — Nelsen was primed for success in the South Sound restaurant industry. Nelsen started Ricardo’s Kitchen + Bar in 2003, and since then it’s established itself as an award-winning fine dining experience with menu items like duck confit with white cheddar grits and cranberry gastrique. We chatted with this purveyor of fine food and found out about his favorite places to eat, travel, and more.
Favorite Places
To be Inspired
Roller skating at Skateland
For Dinner
La Petite Maison, Olympia
For Breakfast
Forza Bistro, Lacey
For Coffee or Tea
Olympia Coffee Roasters
Photo by Dave Sizer, Creative Commons
To Travel
Ocean Shores
To Relax
Hicks Lake
To Work Out
My bedroom
Inspiration Board
Favorite Quote
“Go big or go home.”
Currently Reading
Memes
Favorite Movie
Coming to America
moviestillsdb.com
Favorite TV Show
Seinfeld
Favorite Musician
Michael Jackson
Q&A
What’s the first meal you remember eating?
Probably Dirty Dave’s Pizza
Andrew Kim, Creative Commons
What is the best restaurant you’ve ever visited?
That’s got to be Canlis in Seattle.
When did you first know you wanted to open a restaurant?
Around 2002
What projects are you working on right now?
Family, always working on that. And then we’re working on a gastropub and a coffee shop.
What do you do when you’re not in the restaurant?
I like to dance, and I like to be a dad.
