The heads over at Six by Nico have revealed the first taster menu of 2022 and it’s one for the bookworms. Running from Tuesday 1 February until Sunday 13 March at Six By Nico in Manchester and Liverpool, the restaurant will serve up six courses inspired by children’s storytelling and fairytales.

We’re not going to lie, at first glance we thought Nico had made a Disney menu, but with the inevitable copyright firestorm that would’ve involved, the restaurant group has opened the theme up to incorporate Charles Dickens, Roald Dahl and Robert Southey - author of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

It's also a new chapter for Six by Nico restaurants as we introduce a new wave of engaging themes that provide our customers with unique food and drink experiences

Twelve courses were whittled down to six by a public vote on the Six by Nico Instagram and Facebook pages with dishes inspired by Dr Seuss, Winnie The Pooh and Goldilocks failing to make the cut.

Not everyone was happy with the final result, with some pointing out in the comments that the total number of likes and comments favoured dishes that didn’t make the final menu. Others demanded to see the numbers.

Please Sir Can I Have Some More At Six By Nico In Manchester As Part Of The Once Upon A Time Menu — **Please sir can I have some more** Image: Six By Nico

Food glorious food

The final menu, which will run from early February until mid-March, will follow the restaurant chain’s trademark formula, serving a different six-course tasting menu, every six weeks for £32 per person. Matching wines are an additional £27 on top (Manchester and Liverpool prices, other locations vary).

Kicking the new menu off will be the Oliver Twist-inspired Please Sir, Can I Have Some More with confit Hasselback potato, hay-baked potato mousseline, preserved wild garlic and pickled onion.

Paddington Bears Marmalade As Part Of The Once Upon A Time Menu At Six By Nico In Manchester — **Marmalade** Image: Six By Nico

The second course will be the Paddington Bear-inspired Marmalade. Ox cheek ragu with mushroom XO marmalade and truffle will be served atop sourdough bruschetta.

The first of two Roald Dahl-inspired courses will be the memorably named Hey Dipface, Have a Carrot. The Matilda-themed course features whole baked tandoori carrot, carrot remoulade, carrot top pesto, saffron pickled carrot and citrus goats curd.

A Carrot Dish Inspired By Matilda As Part Of The Once Upon A Time Menu At Six By Nico In Manchester — **Hey dipface, have a carrot** Image: Six By Nico

The fourth course is another Roald Dahl story, albeit a deeper cut, with a Danny, Champion of the World dish. What could’ve been pheasant with raisins and a sleeping pill (you never know with Nico), is instead Let's Go Trout Poaching. Sea trout, smoked bone veloute and dill dressing, artichoke, sea herbs, bergamot gel and salted cucumber.

Course five, which unfortunately for pork fans beat a Three Little Pigs dish in the public vote, nods to The Ugly Duckling with The Most Beautiful, a dish of duck, leg boulangere with pickled walnut, salsify, pear and fig.

Danny Champion Of The World As Part Of The Once Upon A Time Menu At Six By Nico In Manchester — **Let's Go Trout Poaching** Image: Six By Nico

All roads lead to a Disney dessert with what looks to be a very aesthetically pleasing The Last Rose Petal, of course, inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Mascarpone crème, rose, hibiscus and rhubarb waltz alongside lemon chocolate aero. If the wine menu goes to your head you might even get a chat in with the crockery.

Vegetarian alternatives are available for all courses as are the usual snack sides. Expect a Mary Poppins Spoonful of Sugar aperitif and Fantastic Mr Fox Farmer Liver and doughnuts side snack.

The Ugly Duckling At Six By Nico In Manchester As Part Of The Once Upon A Time Menu — **The Most Beautiful** Image: Six By Nico

New year, new Nico

The first Six by Nico menu of the year is a departure from the more geographically inclined efforts of late which included Shanghai, Paris and Amalfi Coast. Last year’s themes also included Guilty Pleasures and Circus and the restaurant group is also known for its cook-at-home boxes.

Chef Nico Simeone said:

"Our Once Upon A Time theme is a gastronomic journey through the enchanting realm of fairytales and folklore. It's also a new chapter for Six by Nico restaurants as we introduce a new wave of engaging themes that provide our customers with unique food and drink experiences".

Reservations are available to book now. We’ll be in the office meanwhile, trying to guess the next one. This author’s money is on the climate crisis menu or something to do with the zoo.

60 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ

11-15 North John Street, Liverpool L2 5QY

Follow Davey on Twitter and Instagram: @dbretteats. Header photo courtesy of Six By Nico.