By Laura Turner
In a world where you’re expected to grow up, Six by Nico is a magical way of dining that encourages you to release your inner child.
Founded by Scottish Chef Nico Simeone back in 2017, he now has nine restaurants across the UK, each serving a six-course tasting menu that changes every six weeks.
The menu theme is a closely guarded secret and staff members only find out what it is two weeks before its release.
We visited the Six by Nico Manchester restaurant to sample the first menu of 2023. Called ‘Neverland’, this menu pays homage to J.M. Barrie’s much-loved Peter Pan novel.
It is also available at the Six by Nico restaurants in Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Canary Wharf and Fitzrovia in London at a very reasonably priced £37pp.
Six by Nico Manchester review – Neverland menu
Already into the Peter Pan theme, to drink we had to order a ‘Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust’ (£8), a refreshing sparkly cocktail full of flavours such as elderflower, lime and apple.
Appetisers of Sourdough with Chicken Skin Butter and Mac and Cheese Croquettes (£7pp) followed. Then we delved straight into the first course, the only one that doesn’t arrive with a matched wine. Add a wine flight for an extra £30pp.
Reminiscent of the scene when the Lost Boys ‘Use Your Imagination’ to conjure up food, this had all the flavours of a pepperoni pizza, but we bet it’s like no pizza you’ve ever had before. Underneath a parmesan foam hides a rich ragu and crunchy sourdough croutons.
The aptly named ‘Lost Boys’ is the second course. Their take on a ‘Ham and Cheese Toastie’ is a delight for the tastebuds with unusual ingredients, such as pickled mustard, golden raisin and black garlic emulsion. The Puglian Primitivo served with it perfectly compliments the richness of the dish.
Shellfish Risotto and Smoked Cod Bottarga make up the third dish, ‘Captain Codfish’. The name, originally used as an insult from Peter Pan to Captain Hook because of it’s negative connotations of ‘rotten’ certainly didn’t apply here. Spiked with lime gel, this combination was nothing short of delicious.
We couldn’t fault any of the dishes, however course number four had to be our favourite. Two succulent pieces of Black Pollock, one pan fried, one battered, Pak Choi, Charred Cucumber and a Satay Emulsion make up ‘Bangarang!’.
Those familiar with the classic tale of Peter Pan will recognise nods from the film in each dish. Our favourite play on words was the fifth course, a chicken dish called ‘Food fight’. Full of strong flavours such as Tarragon Salsa Verde, Red Pepper Romesco and Saffron Emulsion, the ingredients are doing just that on the plate – fighting with each other – but it worked perfectly.
To round off five wonderful savoury dishes, it was time for something sweet. The sixth and final course is a Baked Salted Caramel Delice with Caramel Moussline and Buttermilk Ice Cream.
To coincide with the new menu, Six By Nico announced a charity partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital. After gifting all his rights to Peter Pan to the hospital in 1929, J.M. Barrie and the hospital have shared a special relationship.
All the Six By Nico sites will be offering a charitable discretionary donation of £1 for every diner who visits during the Neverland menu in an attempt to raise over £20,000 for the hospital.
With its secret menu themes, inventive food and affordable prices, Six by Nico is a must-visit. But if you spot a menu you like, you’ll have to be quick. It won’t be around for long. The Neverland menu runs until February 26, 2023.
Best for: Special Occasions, Date Night, Fun Foodie Experiences
Six By Nico at 60 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BQ is open Monday to Thursday 12:45-11:45pm and Friday to Sunday 12-11:45pm
The six course tasting menu is priced at £37pp, optional wine pairing is an extra £30pp
Book a table at Six By Nico here
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