By Penny Lee Taylor-Brown
So, recently, my fiancé and I decided to shake mid-week dinners up a bit and dive into the culinary wonderland that is Six by Nico in Leeds.
Leaving the cars at work, it was the full shebang for us- wine pairings, aperitifs, and all!
Stepping into such a beautifully decorated and friendly restaurant gives you the vibe that even to sit down at the bar you’d get a £100 charge, but Six by Nico exudes quality and luxury without the high price tag.
Greeted by attentive staff in a casual and friendly but ‘we’re on it’ kind of a way, just makes you feel special no matter who you are and what level of luxury you’re used to. It’s 5-star service at Six by Nico.
Why Six by Nico Is One of Leeds’ Most Exciting Dining Destinations
Six by Nico is one of those restaurants that delivers far more than its price point suggests. From the moment you walk in, the combination of considered interior design, genuinely attentive staff, and a menu built around a specific creative concept creates an atmosphere that feels special without feeling exclusive. The experience manages to be five-star in its execution while remaining approachable enough that you never feel like you have to earn your place at the table. For couples or food enthusiasts looking for a memorable occasion, it consistently punches above the level you would expect for around £110 per head with wine pairing included.
Six by Nico’s Rotating Menu: What to Expect on Your Visit
What makes Six by Nico genuinely worth returning to is the rotating menu concept. Every six weeks the kitchen introduces a completely new theme, taking diners on a different gastronomic journey each time. The Street Food menu that inspired this review was a six-course global circuit moving from Seoul to Goa, Istanbul, Mexico City, and Jakarta across consecutive plates. Each dish was a fine-dining interpretation of its country of origin rather than a direct replica, meaning the flavours were bold and recognisable but executed with a quality and luxury of finish that elevated every bite well beyond what the street food concept implies.
The Menu
We arrived during the Street Food stint. So, every six weeks the menu changes, making the experience even more exciting for plebs like us.
This menu was a tantalizing trip around the globe with the best of every country offered up in fine-dining style. The menu promised a global flavour fiesta, and we were totally into it.
This gastronomic adventure unfolded like a masterpiece, weaving together flavours that left us utterly spellbound. We’re talking about a next-level experience that had us, a travel and food-loving couple, laughing out loud as the flavours danced around our palates.
Course One
Our dining adventure kicked off with the Seoul-inspired Gochujang Pork Steamed Bun. The harmonious blend of flavours from the chilli oil, ginger, and pickled mushroom created a starting point from which we weren’t sure how it could get better… but it did!
Course Two
In Goa, the second course unfolded with a box-office Samosa that captured the essence of spiced onions and pickles, transporting us to the streets of India.
The vibrancy and authenticity of each dish were remarkable, it was now that we understood that this was going to be a hell of a ride!
Course Three
As we journeyed to Istanbul for the third course, the Kebab stole the spotlight. The Lamb Belly, roasted cabbage, pickled golden raisins, salsa verde, and roasted garlic foam culminated in a symphony of textures and tastes. Personally, I don’t know how I’ll be able to live the rest of my life without having that lamb again, I can’t stop thinking about it!
Course Four
Our culinary exploration continued with the vibrant streets of Mexico City, where the Fish Taco emerged as a masterpiece. The coalfish, barbecue corn, smoked jalapeno, and tomatillo salsa melded together in a medley of flavours that left an indelible mark on our palates and memories.
Course Five
The Jakarta-inspired Satay, our fifth course, showcased the kitchen’s finesse with a Chicken Satay leg roulade, shallot jam, satay sauce, peanut crumble, and pak choi salad.
But the main character of that fifth course was the ‘add-on’… the prawns. I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT EATING THE DAMN GRILLED PRAWNS. Stunning. I need these in my life at all times, please.
Course Six
Sadly, this is the only course I was let down on but my Fiancé loved the dessert. Cocoa Mousselline, Coffee, Leche & Buttermilk- all things I love… but all things I can’t have unfortunately. I was given something as an alternative but it wasn’t the best.
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free
Now, the menu above was all of the things that my fiancé could eat, for me the kitchen prepared a gluten and dairy-free option for every single course, including the mac and cheese starter bites.
When I tell you I had the best dining experience still and the flavours and textures of everything (even the gluten free bao bun!) were insane. Six by Nico I am so grateful to you for that.
Six by Nico
Madly in love with the place after this visit, we find ourselves once again drawn to the allure of Six by Nico, and we’ve booked to go again.
This time indulging in the captivating “Best of 2023” menu. And yes, we’re doing the wine pairing, snacks, and the ‘add-on’ for dish number 5. And in total it’ll probably only cost us about £110 each.
From the accommodating staff to the chic ambience, and the culinary excellence that graced our taste buds, Six by Nico has established itself as a culinary gem in Leeds in our opinion. People of Leeds, please do secure your place for this unparalleled gastronomic journey.
Book now at sixbynico.co.uk.
By Penny Lee Taylor-Brown
