When there is so much on offer in an ever expanding city like Edinburgh, how do you get customers to come back, time and time again? The business model offered by Nico Simeone at his flagship Glasgow restaurant did just that, with the masses flocking to book every 6 weeks.
In case you’ve somehow managed to avoid all news of his first venture Edinburgh, the Six by Nico concept is simple – six courses for six weeks for a set price. Covers are given a two hour slot to enjoy the dishes then a swift turnover for a new set of customers. This ensures that the customers who just ate there want to return in a few weeks to try out the next menu, and then again, and then again. It’s brilliant really.
The first menu in Edinburgh was a foray into his childhood memories of his mum and dad’s chip shop with clever, innovative and – most importantly – delicious takes on “chip shop classics”. I’ll admit, I was late to the party as I was trying so hard to be good and not spend money with imminent house buying and an impending baby! But the pictures popping up on Instagram combined with the fact that the six courses are just £28.00 meant that it was too good an offer to pass up.
I’m sure by now you’ve seen them too, but just incase here is a quick round up of the courses.
Chips and cheese
Parmesan espuma with crispy potato and curry oil.
Steak Pie
Slow cooked beef shin with pastry, crispy onions and red wine gravy.
Scampi
Scrabster monkfish with pea ketchup and herb pesto
Fish Supper
Shetland co, beer enulson, pickled mussels, fennel and samphire.
Smoked sausage
Ayrshire pork in crispy potatoes, celeriac, black pudding and caramelised apple.
Deep Fried Mars Bar
Chocolate sorbets, orange, caramilla nougat.
The monkfish “scampi” was my stand out dish, the fish lightly breaded and fried with a very clever pea ketchup that somehow tasted like peas and ketchup.
After that visit to The Dome, the likes of Six by Nico renews my faith that excellent quality, inventive dishes, passionate staff and appetising plates don’t have to cost the earth. The wine pairing (post July, I’ll be all over that) is also incredibly good value at just £25.00.
You’ve just under two weeks if you want to get your hands on this menu, once it’s gone, it’s gone! You can book it here.
The next menu has just been announced with both the Edinburgh and Glasgow counterparts offering a whole new magical sounding menu inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (you can watch the video here) and will no doubt be booked up as quickly as the Chippie menu was at prime times!
And at just £28.00 it would be rude not to…!
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