On a chilly evening in late November, my partner and I embarked on an extraordinary journey to the Land of Oz—or rather, to Six by Nico. Known for its ever-changing six-course tasting menus, this time the restaurant took inspiration from the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz, promising “whirlwinds of magical flavours.”
As fans of Six by Nico and in line with the upcoming hit movie Wicked, we couldn’t resist trying this menu, complete with their brand-new cocktail pairing. What followed was an evening of fantastical dishes, creative cocktails, and a culinary adventure down the Yellow Brick Road.
The Atmosphere
There’s always an air of excitement in a Six by Nico restaurant, and this visit was no different. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the menu, which added to the magic of the evening. From the quirky names of the dishes to the theatrical presentations, everything about the Land of Oz menu made us feel like we were part of a whimsical fairytale.
The Menu: A Personal Journey Through Oz
1. Nugget of the Yellow Brick
We LOVED this dish. The sweetcorn beignet was crispy and golden on the outside with a warm, delicate filling. Paired with saffron and güero chilli, it was an explosion of flavours that had us excited for what was to come. This course was a strong 9/10 for us and the perfect start to the meal.
2. Scarecrow
Another 9/10! The hay-smoked middle white pork was packed with smoky, earthy flavours, and the apple and pickled mustard added a delicious tanginess that balanced the dish perfectly. We could have eaten this course twice over—it was that good!
3. Tin Woodman & Cowardly Lion
This course was a bit of a mixed bag for us. As cheese lovers, it’s rare for us to find something too cheesy, but the goats cheese “heart” was quite overwhelming on its own. The ratio of cheese to the other ingredients could have been better balanced. That said, the red umeboshi jelly brought a lovely sweetness, and the concept of the dish was clever. The liquid courage—a chicken broth—was unfortunately a little bland and didn’t quite live up to its name.
4. Deadly Poppy Field
Delicious! The miso coal fish was perfectly cooked, and the coal emulsion and red pepper ketchup added bold flavours without overpowering the fish. This course reminded us why we love Six by Nico—it was creative, exciting, and oh-so-tasty.
5. Witch of the West
Another winner, though by this point we were starting to feel very full (we always forget how deceptively filling these menus are!). The chicken breast and pressed leg were tender and flavorful, and the parsley risotto was creamy without being heavy.
6. Emerald City
I usually lean towards chocolatey or toffee-based desserts, but this refreshing apple-based dish was a delightful change. The apple cremeux, honey mousseline, and yoghurt sorbet combined for a light and zesty finish to the meal. A great way to end our journey through Oz.
The Cocktails: Hits and Misses
The cocktail pairing was a fun addition, with each drink designed to complement a specific course.
- Heart & Bravery was hands-down my favourite—sweet, tangy, and incredibly easy to drink.
- Poppy Dream came in as a close second, with its zesty grapefruit and tequila kick.
- Wicked Brew was a little too rich for me as I don’t usually drink port, but it was enjoyable in small sips.
- Wizard’s Charm didn’t quite hit the mark for me (must be my unrefined palate!). Its bitterness reminded me of a Negroni, which isn’t my cup of tea.
Final Thoughts
The Land of Oz menu was everything we’ve come to love about Six by Nico—creative, immersive, and delicious. While a couple of cocktails weren’t quite to our taste, the overall experience was fantastic. At £44 for the six-course menu (£50 in some locations) and £40 for the cocktail pairing, it’s an incredible value for such a memorable evening.
If you’re thinking of booking, don’t wait too long—this menu is only available until the 15th of December at Six by Nico locations in:
- UK: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, London, Oxford (£44-£50)
- Ireland: Dublin (€55)
Ready to take a walk down the Yellow Brick Road? Click your heels together and get booking!
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