Taste nostalgia at Six by Nico

Karen Neville

Six by Nico

Running for six weeks, December 16th to January 26th, this latest cast of courses brings a delicious return to the past

Get ready to taste your way down memory lane. Six By Nico, Oxford, is serving up deja food with its latest six-course tasting menu, Nostalgia.

Perfectly timed for the festive season, this menu captures the nostalgic magic of Christmas and New Year. Diners will have the chance to relive the joy of their childhood through flavours that feel like home, while younger guests can ride the wave of a golden era and experience delicious retro moments for the first time. 

It’s a menu that brings the taste of yesteryear to life, with each dish crafted to capture those classic flavours and playful twists from the past – think the comforting bite of a fish finger sarnie, the warm, smoky flavours of a campfire feast and the unmistakable nostalgia of a VHS-era movie snack.

Known for reinventing its menu every six weeks, Six by Nico transports diners to new worlds with each visit. With Nostalgia, its inviting guests to enjoy a taste of the past, where familiar favourites get a fresh, modern twist. Each plate offers a delicious reminder of childhood memories, reimagined with inventive flair, one playful bite at a time.

Chef Nico Simeone, the creative mind behind Six by Nico, reflects on the inspiration for the menu: “Our final menu of 2024 and the first of 2025 pays homage to nostalgia, inviting guests on a journey through flavours that evoke personal memories. Inspired by reflections on my childhood, it draws on moments spent watching films, playing games, or enjoying time outdoors with friends.

“While New Year often focuses on resolutions, this menu celebrates traditions and revisits the timeless magic of Christmas through familiar and comforting tastes.”

Priced at £50 per person, bookings are now open for a taste of Nostalgia at Six by Nico, Oxford. Guests can also enjoy their meal with either optional wine or cocktail pairings. Each course is crafted to bring back fond memories of childhood favourites, reimagined with a modern twist, while letting the festivities linger just a little longer.

Here’s a throwback to the childhood favourites diners can look forward to:

Snack – ‘Space Raiders’

Crushed Baby Potato, Pickled Onion, Garlic Emulsion & Fermented Melon Hot Sauce

Course 1 – ‘Blockbuster’

Aged Comté, Hazelnut & Serrano Ham in a “Taco”

Course 2 – ‘Super Mario’

Roasted Maitake, Smoked Celeriac, Cep Gnocchi, Lovage, Truffle & Sherry Cappuccino

Course 3 – ‘Let’s Go Camping!’

Smoked Pork Sausage, Aged Belly, Red Pepper Romesco, Nasturtium & Almond

Course 4 – ‘Fish Fingers’

Barbecue Coley, Miso Carrot, Lobster Emulsion

Served with a Crispy Fish Finger, Shellfish Bisque & Salted Kumquat

Course 5 – ‘Guess Who’

A classic game inspires our dish, but can you Guess Who?

Course 6 –  ‘SNOWBALL FIIIIGHT’

Coconut Parfait, Lime Gel, 55% chocolate & Yoghurt “Snow”


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Eat your way to Emerald City

Karen Neville

Six by Nico

Running for six weeks, November 4th to December 15th, the latest menu at Six by Nico is inspired by the Land of Oz

Six by Nico, the dynamic dining experience known for its six-week tasting menu rotation, has introduced its latest six-course instalment to Oxford. Customers will be taken on an adventure full of magical flavours where each bite sends your taste buds into technicolour.

Inspired by the iconic story, customers will begin their journey on the yellow brick road, travelling through a bewitching menu where each bite leads you closer to the Emerald City on a magical culinary experience where you’ll be transported to the Land of Oz.

The menu includes:

Course 1 – ‘Nugget of the Yellow Brick’
Sweetcorn Beignet, Yellow Courgette, Saffron & Güero Chilli  

Course 2 – ‘Scarecrow’
Hay Smoked Middle White Pork, Fennel, Apple & Pickled Mustard

Course 3 – ‘Tin Woodman & Cowardly Lion’
Goats Curd ‘Heart’, Sweet & Sour Umeboshi Plum, Liquid Courage

Course 4 – ‘Deadly Poppy Field’
Blackened Miso Coal Fish, Coal Emulsion, Red Pepper Ketchup & Kohlrabi & Tarragon

Course 5 – ‘Witch of the West’
Chicken Breast, Pressed Leg & Black Onion
Sweet Roasted Garlic & Parsley Risotto

Course 6 – ‘Emerald City’
Apple Cremeux, Honey Mousseline, Yoghurt Sorbet & Lemon Gel

Veggie

Course 1 – ‘Nugget of the Yellow Brick’   
Sweetcorn Beignet, Yellow Courgette, Saffron & Güero Chilli   

Course 2 – ‘Scarecrow’  
Hay Smoked Celeriac, Fennel, Apple & Pickled Mustard   

Course 3 – ‘Tin Woodman & Cowardly Lion’  
Goats Curd ‘Heart’, Sweet & Sour Umeboshi Plum, Liquid Courage   

Course 4 – ‘Deadly Poppy Field’   
Baby Aubergine, Coal Emulsion, Red Pepper Ketchup, Kohlrabi & Tarragon   

Course 5 – ‘Witch of the West’  
Barbecue Leek, Burnt Onion & Black Garlic Ketchup 
Parsley Risotto, Confit Garlic & Pickled Shallot   

Course 6 – ‘Emerald City’ 
Apple Cremeux, Honey Mousseline, Yoghurt Sorbet & Lemon Gel  

For £50, guests will be able to experience the magical flavours from the Land of Oz, with a matching wine pairing from £38.

Nico Simeone, CEO and Founder of the Six Company, said: “The Land of Oz is a really exciting menu for us. We have been looking at this world and concept for a while, and first explored this through somewhere in Glasgow. After further research and feedback from our valued guests, we feel our creativity of the dishes is really led by the story. We’re excited for guests, we feel our creativity of the dishes is really led by the story. We’re excited for guests to experience what is a totally new and unique experience for Six by Nico.”

Land of Oz menu bookings can be made via the website Land Of Oz – Oxford – Six By Nico


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Six By Nico Istanbul-inspired menu

Ellie Cox

Six by Nico

From 23rd September to 13th October diners can enjoy the latest menu at Six by Nico Oxford, that will transport them to the hustle and bustle of Istanbul

Six by Nico, renowned for its innovative dining experience and ever-changing tasting menus, has announced its next destination menu, promising a true feast for food enthusiasts across the country. This time, Six by Nico invites diners seeking adventure to journey through the spice-laden streets of Istanbul and savour the rich, aromatic dishes inspired by the Turkish city’s iconic bazaars.

The Istanbul experience will be available from 23rd September to 13th October, offering diners a culinary journey where ancient traditions meet bold, modern flavours. This menu is designed to amaze, celebrating the richness of Turkish cuisine and embracing the culture at every turn. Diners will be transported to bustling bazaars and the vibrant streets of this captivating Turkish destination.

The menu includes the following:

Course One – Memories of Mikla
Cucumber & Barbecue Lettuce Gaspacho, Lemon Verbena & Lor Cheese

Course Two – Chef Ahmet’s Pida
Grilled Chicken Shish Pida, Sesame Flat Bread, Rose Harissa & Sumac

Course Three – Kibe
Toasted Bulgar & Aged Beef, Smoked Black Garlic Ketchup & Cep Mushroom

Course Four – Fishing on Galata Köprüsü
Seabass, White Bean, Fennel Jam, Preserved Lemon, Smoked Almond Foam

Course Five – Adana Lamb Kebap
Cumin Belly Pressé, Ancient Grains Pilaf & Sweet Roasted Tomato

For an additional £7, food enthusiasts can add on Golden Peyniri, Crispy Filo, Lor Cheese, Acili Same Chutney to their fifth course.

Course Six – Spiced Date Cake
Candy Walnut, Caramelised Pear & Sour Yogurt Sorbet

For £50, guests will be able to enjoy a taste of Istanbul, with a matching wine pairing from £38.

This tasting menu is a culinary journey through the heart of Istanbul, drawing deep inspiration from Turkey’s rich and diverse food traditions. It masterfully combines authentic Turkish flavours with modern techniques, paying homage to classic dishes while introducing contemporary twists. From the refreshing notes of gazpacho to the hearty essence of lamb kebap, each course reflects the vibrant and varied culinary heritage of Istanbul. This menu captures the essence of Turkish cuisine – bold, aromatic, and deeply rooted in regional traditions – while presenting it in a way that is both innovative and sophisticated.

Andrew Temple, Chief Creative Officer, commented on the new menu: “We’re excited to transport diners to the vibrant streets of Istanbul and bring authentic yet bold flavours from Southeastern Europe to cities around the UK and Ireland.”

Six by Nico caters to all dietary requirements, offering a full vegetarian menu for each new menu concept. Plus, customers can swap courses from the meat menu to the veggie alternative, if they wish.

For bookings of the Istanbul menu, visit the website Istanbul – Oxford – Six By Nico


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“Guilty” pleasures at Six By Nico

Liz Nicholls

Six by Nico

We try a sneaky preview of the new menu at Six by Nico on Oxford’s Westgate Roof Terrace, launching on 11th August and available for diners until 1st September.

What’s your ‘guilty pleasure’, foodwise? You know, that sweet taste of childhood that you might turn to when you need a bit of comfort… Your go-to fast food when you’ve got a hangover… Maybe your choice of takeaway when you’re happy to indulge your inner slob and chomp in bed (I call this a ‘bed picnic’ and don’t knock it till you’ve tried it).

The third menu at the buzzing new Six By Nico in Oxford takes this lusciously indulgent concept and runs with it. But, as you’d expect from the team headed up by foodie star and restaurateur Nico Simeone (see our takes on the first two menus, The Chippie and the Amalfi Coast) this is food that’s incredibly easy to enjoy but with made with big helpings of complexity and skill.

Here’s another carefully curated menu that stokes and strokes your memory, starting with the ‘snacks’ including the salty Cheesy Beano Croquettes that had everyone at my table of foodies smitten. As with all the six-course tasting menus (changed up every six weeks) each treat is accompanied by its own drinks menu, starting with a cocktail (in my case a delicious chocolate espresso martini; the strawberry cheesecake spritz is also a stand-out star) curated by the in-house bartenders.

And then, appetite sharpened, you’re off. If you’ve wisely chosen the wine pairing option, there will be a glass of vino that really helps each course sing.

Just as well as that the flavours pack a punch: the Breakfast Muffin is a spicy salsiccia bon bon, aged cheddar, truffle emulsion & egg yolk jam that’s like a party in your mouth. This is not the sort of fare you’d grab at a McDonald’s Drive-Thru on a walk of shame.

The Loaded Potato Skins are the perfect guilty pleasure too, with an amazing smoked bacon jam, chive emulsion & whipped creme fraiche, with a perfectly crisp Sicilian tipple.

Cheeseburger & Chips (aged beef tartare, house burger sauce, dill pickle, parmesan & beer battered cornichon) held up well with another pickly punch. But my stand-out fave was the veggie alternative Mac & Cheese with cauliflower couscous, jalapeno gherkin ketchup & pickled golden raisins. Deeeelicious!

The still-surprising element of the Six By Nico experience is how the different courses play with your levels of hunger. You feel ravenous at the start and think the portions aren’t going to satisfy but courses four and five, the Fish Finger Butty (coalfish, salt & vinegar hash brown, smoked tomato caviar, toasted brioche polonaise) and Nico Fried Chicken (crispy chicken, NFC crumb, baked celeriac, charred corn and a sublime black garlic emulsion & chicken jus gras) fill not just your eyes but your belly, in just the right way. And if not, you can add on the Buffalo Fried Chicken (“Franks” hot sauce, gorgonzola royale & pickled celery).

Food memories always have to end with some serious sweetness, and it’s amazing how Warm Cookie Dough tucks you back into that sleepy satisfied feeling with different textures of hazelnut & chocolate cookie, summer raspberry, praline cremeux, vanilla espuma.

Summer is short, and so is life, so make sure to grab a booking and treat your tastebuds to a trip back in time to your happy place.


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Amalfi Experience at Six by Nico

Round & About

Six by Nico

Image by: Andrew Oglivy

Six by Nico in Oxford is a culinary gem that brings a refreshing and innovative dining experience to Oxford’s vibrant food scene. Ellie Cox went along to try out their new six-course tasting menu, embracing La Dolce Vita.

Located in the heart of Oxford, this restaurant offers a unique concept of themed six-course tasting menus that change every six weeks, ensuring that every visit is a new adventure for your taste buds.

From 1st July – 11th August, the tasting menu inspired by the Amalfi Coast promises to take guests on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of its menu namesake through contemporary spins on the traditional flavours of Southern Italy.

The whole dining experience delivered just that. Despite a gloomy evening in Oxfordshire, as soon as you step into Six by Nico you’re taken on a unique journey to explore a taste of Southern Italy. From sipping on Aperol Spritz, to drinking wines that perfectly match each course; it’s an experience to remember.

The restaurant itself offers a sleek, contemporary design of the interior which, combined with warm lighting and comfortable seating, creates a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The open kitchen adds a touch of excitement as diners can watch the chefs meticulously prepare each course.

However, the star of the show at Six by Nico is undoubtedly the food. The flavours are bold and inventive, with a beautiful presentation that is most definitelt Instagram-worthy. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite.

The six-course tasting menu is priced at £50, with an option to add matching wines to each course at £38 (highly recommend adding this).

The menu offers the following:

Course one – Parmesan Polenta
Espuma, Truffle, Mushroom Ragout

Course two – Heirloom Tomato
Green Olive Tapenade, Salted Lemon, Lovage Emulsion & Whipped Ricotta

Course three – Spaghetti Nero
Toasted Sourdough, Chilli, Confit Garlic & Scamorza Foam

Course four – Black Pollock
Bagna Cauda, Zucchini, Braised Fennel, Basil Dressing

Course five – Trio Of Pork
Belly Of Pork, Pancetta Ham Jam, Nduja Cannelloni, Smoked Onion, Pickled Summer Squash

Add-On (highly recommend that you try these!)
Crispy King Prawn, Peperoncino Verde Emulsion & Lemon Gel – £9

Course six – Delizia Al Limone
Lemon Mousseline, Polenta Cake, Caramelised White Chocolate, Yoghurt Sorbet

The ever-changing menus mean that there is always something new to look forward to, making it a great spot for special occasions and regular visits. The combination of exceptional food, outstanding service, and a stylish setting makes Six by Nico a must-visit.

Whether you’re local to Oxford or just visiting, make sure to be first in the queue (spaces get nabbed really quickly thanks to the buzz!) to book a table at Six by Nico for a dining experience that is both unique and unforgettable.

Amalfi Coast six-course tasting menu available from July 1st – 11th August, visit Amalfi Coast – Oxford – Six By Nico

Six of the best from Nico

Liz Nicholls

Six by Nico

Six by Nico is the newest addition to the Westgate in Oxford. Liz Nicholls was lucky enough to be among the first to try it at the weekend

As the city of dreaming spires (with a wondrous view of them from the top of the Westgate) Oxford is known for its old-school charm.

But when a newcomer to the foodie scene creates a buzz, it’s a real thrill. And when that newcomer is an original foodie fanatic who has made his name in other, bigger, brasher cities before landing here, I’m sniffing about for titbits and tasters.

This is how I found myself absorbing the neon genius of an Irn Bru sorbet with a perfect ‘deep fried mars bar’ (actually a very classy chocolate pave & associated bits) in the intergalactic bonsai zen den at Six By Nico.

If you haven’t been to one of Nico Simeone’s restaurants (there are branches in Leeds, Belfast, London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and his native Glasgow) the concept is magically enjoyable. For £50 a head you can sit back and relax while you’re served a six-course tasting menu (dietary requirements catered for if you’re that person) that changes every six weeks, drawing inspiration from a memory, place or idea. For an extra £39 you can enjoy an expertly matched wine with each course, which I highly recommend you do.

Now, you might hate a ‘tasting menu’. Weeny portions and a lack of imagination at other restaurants might have given them a bad name, but not here. Thanks to hard graft, his Italian heritage, a flawless service team and a real passion for food, Nico knows exactly what he’s doing. The first menu is ‘the Chippie’, a nostalgic chip shop-inspired half dozen.

This is no bodged assortment of battered bits, instead you’ll find the courses deconstructed and dreamed up as better variations. From the starter, a mindbending parmesan and tatty concoction with curry oil, through the mains including a ‘steak pie’ of meaty magic which arrives in a smoke-filled cloche for a theatrical flourish to that incredible pud, you’re taken on a journey. But, amid a stonking interior (top marks for the amazing banquettes and yellow leather scalloped sofas) the food manages to sing. It’s not fancy for the sake of itself, either, but the flavours and originality should, hopefully mean this place is here for many changing menus to come. Oxford is stony ground for people to take root (as I know, 12 years after landing here myself) so I hope the Westgate crowd take it to their hearts.

I can’t wait for the next one. And, take it from me, you won’t leave hungry or hammered but with a spring in your step.

Bookings from 20th May. Visit Home – Six By Nico