Page 86 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2026 - Online Magazine
P. 86
HONORING
SMALL BUSINESSES
One of Texas’
Most Beautiful
Restaurants
The Nicolett
by Jane Bromley
n 1889, The Nicolett Hotel and “the beginning of hospitality” on the downtown Lubbock, honoring his
restaurant opened its doors to South Plains. roots in the Hub City. He was born
Iwelcome visitors to the little and raised here and graduated from
village of Lubbock. It was an elegant Chef Finn Walter, who majored in Lubbock High. But Finn’s formative
building for the tiny settlement of History, chose “The Nicolett” as years were not typical of most West
50 people, and some have called it the name for his own restaurant in Texans. His father, a prominent
cardiologist, was educated at
Harvard and brought his wife here
from New York City. Dr. Walter had
a very busy practice, and Mrs. Walter
loved to travel, so she saw to it that
her two young sons experienced
much of what the world has to offer.
“We were very fortunate,” Finn said
of his early exposure to the world
outside of West Texas.
At a young age, Finn frequently
experienced fine dining in places like
NYC, Paris, and other destinations
in Europe. By 14, he knew he wanted
a career in the food and beverage
industry. He attended Bates College
in Maine, which afforded him the
opportunity to spend his first year
abroad—in Berlin. After graduation,
he returned to Texas and began his
career “flipping burgers” in Austin.
86 Lubbock Senior Link
