If you’re planning to visit the UK or Ireland, look for a restaurant called Six by Nico. Launched in Glasgow in 2017, they are in many major cities, including London, Cardiff, Dublin, Leeds, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Belfast. They have a six-course (or ten-course) tasting menu inspired by a theme, destination or concept that changes every six weeks. Recent menus include “Neverland,” “The Chippie” and “Trust.” We’ve dined with them in Manchester, Belfast, and most recently, in Cardiff, and the meals were awesome and fun. For elevated tasting menus, they are casual and accessible, not stuffy like you might find at fine dining restaurants.
The menu typically offers one or two (or four) special cocktails, as well as some snacks, which cost extra. The tasting menu costs around £39 ($47) and you can choose to add the wine pairing for an additional £30 ($36).
“Trust”: Cardiff (June 2024)
We did the six-course meal at the Cardiff location for lunch. Opened in 2023, the restaurant occupies a large, gorgeous space in an architecturally interesting building on High Street. We came very close to scoring the “Chippie” menu, which has sort of a cult following, but the theme of this meal was “Trust.” There was no menu, just paper and a pen. The waiter presented each dish, then it was up to us to determine what the ingredients were. We are avid foodies and adventurous eaters, so for us this was great fun. One of us is better at this than the other, but I got a few of them right. After each course, the waiter would debrief us and let us know how close we got.
There were four apéritifs on the menu and we each started with the Hibiscus & Mezcal Margarita (so delicious I had two), plus the sourdough bread and butter.
Then it was on to the courses. Each one was delicious, with lots of interesting ingredients and layers of flavors. Clever twists on ingredients: one dish had what looked like a pearl onion on top, but it was lemon yuzu gel. There was a soup, some meats, a fish dish and a vegetable dish, each with an emulsion, aioli or puree. They were creative and beautifully plated, including the refreshing dessert. Best of all, we emerged satisfied but not stuffed.
We’re already looking forward to our next Six by Nico meal in Dublin.
“Once Upon a Time – Chapter II”: Belfast (September 2023)
We dined at Six by Nico in Belfast in September 2023. The theme was “Once Upon a Time: Chapter II” and it was inspired by Goldilocks, Dr. Seuss, Matilda and other stories.
We started with drinks and an appetizer. Mark had the Enchanted Butterbrew, which reminded us of butter beer, and I had the Glass Sipper, a tasty concoction with lychee and elderflower. We shared the “Ugly” Dumplings, chorizo and manchego gyozas which were actually lovely and quite delicious.
Course 1: “Bird Pie”
“Bird Pie” was inspired by The Twits, a 1980’s children’s book by Roald Dahl. Chicken and duck leg ragu and pickled celeriac with prune and carmelized puff pastry, it was a hearty way to start the meal.
Course 2: “Just Right” Porridge
Who else but Goldilocks could have inspired this dish? Spaetzle, barbecue maitake mushrooms and white turnip with a black garlic dressing made for an unctuous course.
Course 3: “I Like Them! Sam-I-Am!”
The whimsy of Dr. Seuss inspired this delicious smoked ham hock “sandwich” with garden pea pesto and egg yolk jam.
Course 4: “Dip Face, Have a Carrot”
From Matilda, sole ballotine with tandoori-baked carrot and carrot-top pesto, delightfully sauced with a lobster jus.
Course 5: “I’ll Huff and I’ll Puff…”
The Three Little Pigs inspired (and perhaps composed) the entree of pork roulade with pumpkin, sweet and sour sauerkraut, smoked ash emulsion and a bourguignon jus.
Course 6: “Brucey, Brucey!”
For dessert, inspired by Matilda, we have the 54% chocolate cremeux with miso caramel and mango and passion fruit sorbet. Light and sweet, it was the perfect way to wrap up a delicious dinner.
“A World of Imagination”: Manchester (May 2023)
Our very first dining experience at Six by Nico was in Manchester in May. It sounded like a fun, creative concept and it was!
As the title of the menu promised, the courses were creative and imaginative. Mark started with the cocktail, “Dream Weaver,” which arrived in two parts he had to combine for a surprise concoction. From the first dish to the last, it made for a clever and memorable meal experience.
Make a Reservation Today
Visit Six by Nico to make a reservation or to sign up to see future menus.
