Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add in the vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined (do not overmix).
Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts (if using) with a spatula or wooden spoon until evenly distributed.
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dollops of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. For bakery-style cookies, use a larger scoop for thicker cookies.
Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt on top of each cookie dough ball.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look slightly underbaked. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Arrange the cookies on a stylish platter or tiered stand and drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra touch. Serve warm or store in an airtight container for later enjoyment.