Six by Nico Cardiff has rolled out the red carpet for its latest cinematic-inspired tasting menu, “Hollywood.” Inspired by legendary films of the 80s and 90s, in this edition diners are taken on a journey through iconic Hollywood blockbusters, with each course a nod to a famous film. As always, the restaurant delivers an immersive experience, combining creativity with thoughtful (optional) wine pairings to elevate the evening.
The six-course tasting menu is available for £42 per person, with an additional £33 for the matching wine pairings. While the concept was captivating, the execution presented a mix of dazzling highlights and a few scenes that could have done with a few key edits before the premier. Here’s how our culinary trip to the silver screen unfolded.
Course 1 – Curse of the Black Pearl
Inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean
Squid & N’Duja Arancini, Fennel, Sea Herbs, Lemon Gel
The meal started with an array of colours and textures across the plate. The punchy fennel and lemon gel stole the limelight from the arancini. The squid flavour was muted, coming through mainly in the black colour of the ink, and the n’duja was very subtle. The arancini felt lost at sea, despite being billed as the star of the dish. A fun start, but lacking the depth we had hoped for.
Course 2 – Good Morning, Vietnam
Inspired by Good Morning Vietnam
Prawn & Pork Banh Bao, Sesame, Sweet & Sour Pumpkin, Nuoc Cham
Inspired by the flavours of Southeast Asia, this course offered a vibrant hit of flavour. The sweet and sour pumpkin was delicious, and the nước chấm added the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. The sesame crusted fried bao bun was a nice twist. The pork and prawn seemed to have been left in the dressing room, but despite their lack of on-stage presence the pumpkin more than made up for it in what was a delicious dish.
Wine pairing: Feteasca Regala DOC Organic (Romania) – A crisp, refreshing white that paired well, cutting through the richness of the bao.
Course 3 – Royale with Cheese
Inspired by Pulp Fiction
24-Hour Ox Cheek, Comté Polenta, Turnip Choucroute, Lovage
This was the highlight of the evening. The ox cheek was meltingly tender, rich, and perfectly seasoned, with a cheesy Comté polenta that brought comforting creaminess to the dish. The tangy turnip choucroute and crispy crumb on the ox cheek provided great textural contrast. A dish full of bold, satisfying flavours that left us wanting more, we could have easily enjoyed this as a full-sized main.
Wine pairing: Perdu Beaugarand Rouge (France) – A light, juicy red that was the ideal complement to the rich ox cheek, without overpowering it.
Course 4 – Bubba Gump Shrimp
Inspired by Forrest Gump
Grilled Coal Fish, Malaysian Shrimp Curry, Coriander Emulsion, Coconut Chutney
The Malaysian shrimp curry was rich and aromatic, with a pleasant hum of heat. The crispy noodles on top added a nice texture, reminiscent of Khao Soi. The dish worked well when all elements were eaten together, but we felt the shrimp needed a pep talk from Bubba himself to help it shine more.
Add-on: We couldn’t resist the Popcorn Shrimp with Nori Ranch Dressing (£9) – perfectly crispy, with a satisfying crunch and a lovely umami kick from the nori ranch dressing. This was a delightful extra, and a star in its own right, Arguably the best bite of the evening!
Wine pairing: Macabeo Verdejo Organic (Spain) – A fruity, melon-forward white that cooled the curry’s heat nicely.
Course 5 – What’s Your Favourite Scary Movie?
Inspired by Scream
Chinese Red Pork, Red Pepper, Cauliflower, Beignet, Crackling
This dish was more Scary Movie than Scream – the Chinese red sauce was stunning but there wasn’t enough to save the overcooked dry pork. The Ghost Face cauliflower and beignet were pleasant and clever nods to the movie, however the red pepper wasn’t sweet enough to cut through the pork and the mayo felt lost on the plate. This course felt like a missed opportunity to satisfy the foodie-movie buffs.
Wine pairing: Haus und Hof Zweigelt (Austria) – A bold and juicy red that outshone the dish. It was the real star here.
Course 6 – Leave The Gun, Take The Cannoli
Inspired by The Godfather
Chocolate Delice, Hazelnut Praline Cannoli, Buttermilk Sorbet, Pedro Ximenez Gel
A decadent, indulgent end to the meal. The chocolate delice was rich but well-balanced by the refreshing buttermilk sorbet and tangy Pedro Ximenez gel. The cannoli was subtle, filled with hazelnut praline, providing a nice contrast to the heavier elements.
Wine pairing: Il Furetto Brachetto d’Acqui (Italy) – A sparkling red that brought the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity to complement the richness of the dessert. We enjoyed it so much, we stayed for an extra glass!
Service & Ambience:
Service was excellent throughout the evening. The staff were knowledgeable, engaging, and happy to answer any questions we had about the dishes and wine pairings. The Hollywood soundtrack playing in the background added a fun and immersive layer to the overall experience. Make sure you’ve got your phone ready to search for the movie titles!
Verdict:
Six by Nico’s “Hollywood” menu is a theatrical experience that hits some high notes but also stumbles in a few places. It offers a unique and playful dining experience, with dishes inspired by some of the most beloved films in cinema history. While some courses were more successful than others, the creativity and attention to detail shone through. The ox cheek and popcorn shrimp were clear standouts, and the wine pairings are thoughtfully chosen. The jump between red with the 3rd course and white with the fish course was inspired and unexpectedly worked. With attentive service and a fun theme, this menu is definitely good value for money. Worth a visit for film buffs and foodies alike.
The “Hollywood” six-course menu is available at Six by Nico Cardiff until November 3, 2024.
