It makes my heart all warm and fuzzy inside when big names in the restaurant world choose to open in Liverpool. Not that I don't want London, Birmingham or the South to miss out, but it's nice to know that the big restaurateurs consider us a serious player. Last year we got Masterchef: The Professionals winner Anton Piotrowski's restaurant Roski on Hope Street, Pilgrim opened their flagship restaurant at Duke Street Market, El Gato Negro opened up their second home in Exchange Flags and now we've been blessed with the latest instalment of Six By Nico.
Nico is an up-market 'concept' restaurant that's already booming in Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast thanks to its unique (and affordable) six course tasting menu that changes by theme every six weeks. They've just moved into a space on North John Street which used to be home to La Vina and transformed it into the most gorgeous, twinkling restaurant featuring a huge open kitchen where you can watch the chefs (and sometimes Nico) busy at work.
The launch theme of the menu in Liverpool is 'The Chippie' which I think it's fair to say is a pretty solid choice for a city of Northern drinkers. For £26 you get six courses of bite-sized 'chippie' themed plates cleverly designed to not only look immaculate but give you all the flavours of a Friday night takeaway in a much more... sophisticated way.
In order of arrival this menu includes:
Snacks: Brandade croquettes, brown sauce taramasalata & sourdough (+£5 pp but definitely worth the extra).
Course 1: 'Chips n Cheese'- Parmesan espuma, curry oil, salt and vinegar potato croquette.
Course 2:' Scampi'- Monkfish cheek, pea emulsion, herb butter sauce & gribiche.
Course 3:' Steak Pie'- Beef shin, burnt onion ketchup, mushroom duxelle & red wine sauce.
Course 4:'Fish Supper'- Cod, confit fennel, samphire, beer pickled mussels & brandade.
Course 5:' Smoked Sausage'- Pork belly, salt baked celeriac, caramlised apple & black pudding.
Course 6:' Deep Fried Mars Bar'- with carmelia chocolate mousse, orange sorbet & cocoa nibs.
I absolutely love seafood (and, lets face it..the chippie) so this menu was right up my alley but if some of these courses aren't for you they'll let you swap them for the veggie equivalent, otherwise just hang tight for the next theme! Previous themes at the other branches that we can probably expect to come to use next include 'New York', 'Childhood' and 'Picnic'.
Wine pairing is available for each dish and comes at a similarly reasonable £29 pp. I'd also recommend trying the themed aperitif before you get cracking with the food- this one was an earl grey & prosecco mix with a wooden fork of samphire and sea salt balanced on top. I'm well aware that sounds truly awful but I promise it tasted like absolute magic.
This was by far one of the best meals I've had in Liverpool this year I'd absolutely recommend booking in as I hear it's really busy at the minute. Get more info and book your table here and let me know which course is your favourite!
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*My meal at Six by Nico was very generously gifted however as always this review is 100% honest (it was incredible).