NOW here’s a fascinating arrival from North of the Border to take over the Roc n Rye site in Spring Gardens. Renowned Scottish-Italian chef, Nico Simeone is set to introduce his Glasgow dining concept this July when he opens Six by Nico.
It will be the fourth addition to his growing restaurant portfolio with award-winning venues including '111 by Nico' and 'Six by Nico' already well embedded in Scotland and Northern Ireland’s restaurant scene.
The 66 cover restaurant will be Nico’s first venture in England with plans to expand the brand further across the UK in the pipeline. Shades of Jamie’s Italian, one-time neighbour of Roc n Rye, a doomsayer might think, but it is genunely exciting to see a bullish innovator in the current febrile food and drink scene.
Like his restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast our Six by Nico will be home to a series of constantly evolving menu concepts. Every six weeks Nico and his team will re-invent the dining experience – serving a brand new six-course tasting-menu, each one themed upon a different place, memory or idea.
Drawing inspiration from both at home and abroad, such as the street markets of the Middle East to a journey across Route 66 in America, Nico and his team will combine different ingredients, flavours and dishes. Each new chapter will be kept a surprise and new menus will be published two weeks prior to the next theme.
Nico told ToM: ”We are very excited to bring an unforgettable culinary experience to Manchester. It was the obvious choice when looking for our first site in England thanks to its thriving food and drink scene. We feel we have created the perfect recipe for an exciting epicurean adventure not just for our diners, but our team too".
Six by Nico Manchester will boast a minimal design, in stark contrasted to grand fixtures and fittings with atmospheric mood lighting, while an open kitchen will contribute to the drama.
Born in Glasgow, to Italian parents, Nico’s colourful career has included stints at Michelin starred Number One at Balmoral and at Brian Maule’s acclaimed, Chardon d’Or in Glasgow. During the summer of 2015, Nico opened 111 by Nico in Glasgow's West End and in 2017 Six by Nico launched in the city’s Finnieston district. Six by Nico in Edinburgh opened in 2018 followed by the Belfast version this March.
So will his ebullient tartan touch succeed in Manchester?