Eats

Six by Nico announces magical second menu for new taster restaurant

The 'Once Upon A Time' menu has already had 3,000 bookings.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 3rd August 2023

Six by Nico is approaching its six week mark of opening - and that can only mean one thing. Time for a menu change.

For those unfamiliar with the restaurant concept. Six by Nico is a restaurant concept by celebrated chef Nico Simeone, where the six course taster menu changes every six weeks.

Following on from the opening menu The Chippie, a homage to the famous chippy tea, Six by Nico will be bringing fairytales to life, taking inspiration from classic children's books.

potato terrine with a dollop of mustard sauce on a plate.
The Chippie. / Images: The Hoot Leeds
irn bru ice cream with chocolate sprinkles on a grey plate.

The 'Once Upon A Time' menu has already had 3,000 bookings and will run from Monday 14 August - Sunday 24 September 2023.

The courses were chosen by the people of Yorkshire, the restaurant decided to let 'the people of Leeds write the story for themselves', settling on dishes from Dr. Seuss, Matilda and the Three Little Pigs amongst other old favourites.

Here's the full menu:

bowl with Chicken & Duck Leg Ragu, Pickled Celeriac, Prune & Caramelised Puff Pastry and sticks outside to make it look like a nest.
Image: Six by Nico

Course One: Bird Pie - The Twits 

Chicken & Duck Leg Ragu, Pickled Celeriac, Prune & Caramelised Puff Pastry

Vegetarian Alternative: White Bean Ragu, JackFruit,  Pickled Celeriac, Prune & Caramelised Puff Pastry

Spaetzle, Barbecue Maitake, White Turnip, Black Garlic Dressing in a bowl with three small chairs on the outside.
Image: Six by Nico

Course Two: “Just Right” Porridge — Goldilocks 

Spaetzle, Barbecue Maitake, White Turnip, Black Garlic Dressing 

Smoked Ham Hough “Sandwich”, Garden Pea Pesto, Egg Yolk Jam with a red hand holding the plate.
Image: Six by Nico

Course Three: “I like them Sam–I–Am!” – Green Eggs & Ham - Dr. Seuss 

Smoked Ham Hough “Sandwich”, Garden Pea Pesto, Egg Yolk Jam

Vegetarian Alternative: “Something Peculiar Is About To Happen” – James & The Giant Peach 

Goats Cheese Parfait, Sweet & Sour Peach, Tarragon, Toasted Sourdough

Sole Ballotine, Tandoori Baked Carrot, Carrot Top Pesto, Lobster Jus and flying carrots around the plate.
Image: Six by Nico

Course Four: "Dip Face, Have A Carrot” – Matilda

Sole Ballotine, Tandoori Baked Carrot, Carrot Top Pesto, Lobster Jus

Vegetarian Alternative: Tandoori Baked Carrot, Gnocchi a’la Parisienne, Fresh Curd, Carrot Top Pesto

Pork Roulade, Pumpkin, Sweet & Sour Choucroute, Smoked Ash Emulsion, Bourguignon Jus built around small bricks and straw.
Image: Six by Nico

Course Five: “I’ll huff, and I’ll puff!’ — Three Little Pigs 

Pork Roulade, Pumpkin, Sweet & Sour Choucroute, Smoked Ash Emulsion, Bourguignon Jus

Optional Add–On: Barbecue West Coast Scallop, Smoked Pancetta & Truffle Butter – £9 

Vegetarian Alternative: “You shall go to the ball” — Cinderella

Baked Pumpkin, Baked Onion, Tarragon Dragoncello, Smoked Ash Emulsion & Shallot Bourguignon.

54% Chocolate Cremeux, Miso Caramel, Mango & Passion Fruit on a plate surrounded by blocks of chocolate.
Image: Six by Nico

Course Six: “Brucey! Brucey!” — Matilda

54% Chocolate Cremeux, Miso Caramel, Mango & Passion Fruit

outside six by nico restaurant with black front door.
Image: Supplied

Chef Nico Simeone said: “We’re very excited to reveal the details of our Once Upon A Time tasting menu to the people of Leeds, as we saw amazing engagement during the voting process.

"Over 4,000 votes were cast in Leeds / Yorkshire alone which was amazing to see! The final menu has been written to give the Yorkshire audience, and the wider Six by Nico community, exactly what they want to enjoy. We can’t wait to see the reaction from our customers when we start cooking the menu in a couple of weeks’ time!" 

Six by Nico caters to all dietary requirements, offering a full vegetarian menu for each new menu concept. Plus, customers can swap courses from the meat menu to the veggie alternative, if they wish. Other dietaries and certain allergens can also be catered to upon request, ensuring no-one misses out.

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Each menu is priced at £39 each with the option to add wine pairings for £30 and additional snacks and apéritif at £7.50 and £8.50 respectively.

Bookings for Six by Nico's 'Once Upon A Fairytale' can be made on the Six by Nico website here.

Feature Image - Supplied

Eats

‘This recognition belongs to you’ – Leeds restaurant added to the Michelin Guide just months after opening

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A newcomer to the Leeds foodie scene has been added to the coveted Michelin Guide.

You may remember back in April when a Leeds icon was reborn under a different name.

The Smithfield took over the site that was home to The Reliance for more than two decades, and it's safe to say it exceeded expectations.

The team transformed the site to its former glory, taking the site's exterior back to its memorable dark red. But the efforts to recapture the essence of the iconic old venue go way beyond that.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

The Smithfield, a collaboration between Crooked Brewing and Chef James Donovan, offers simple dining with seasonal food and natural wines.

It's the sort of place where you can rock up for a plate and a glass people watching through the huge window on North Street, or really get stuck into a sharing pie and chips with friends on a Saturday afternoon.

Either way we love it, and it seems we're not the only ones as The Smithfield has been added to the Michelin Guide just five months after opening.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Announcing the great news to Instagram, The Smithfield said: "We’re very pleased and grateful to have been included in the Michelin Guide.

"To get this kind of recognition so early in our journey is a real honour, and one we certainly don’t take for granted.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

"Thank you to our wonderful guests for your continued support. Also, huge thanks to our brilliant team. The Smithfield is what it is because of your hard work, enthusiasm, energy and diligence. This recognition belongs to you.

"We’re just getting started, and our focus remains the same: creating a welcoming space for our community, serving food and drink we’re proud of, championing great British and local produce, and contributing our small part towards Leeds’ brilliant hospitality scene. The Smithfield."

Read more: Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Iconic Betty’s Tea Room wins gold at 2026 Great British Food Awards

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Betty's Tea Room has been named among the nation's best by experts.

If you live in Yorkshire, then you will know about Betty's Tea Room.

Its a real institution at this point, known for their exceptional service, exquisite food, beautiful window displays and the iconic cake trolley.

We all know their products are top tier, but they've just had even more recognition at the 2026 Great British Awards.

Announced in London, Betty's won gold for their Yorkshire Shortbread Biscuits which were judged by Cherish Finden, internationally renowned pastry chef.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Judging in the Sweet Biscuits category was led by Cherish Finden, best known as a judge on Bake Off: The Professionals.

She said: "A well-made traditional shortbread with a lovely buttery flavour, balanced sweetness and a subtle touch of salt that enhances the overall taste. The delicate, crumbly texture makes it particularly pleasant to eat.

"Overall, it is a very enjoyable and satisfying shortbread. I could eat the whole packet with a cup of tea."

Gavin Johnson, head of bakery operations at Bettys Craft Bakery, said: "We are incredibly proud that our Yorkshire Shortbread has been awarded a Gold Medal at The Great British Food Awards 2026.

"This recognition reflects the enduring values of Bettys, the finest ingredients, best quality, traditional craftsmanship and a deep connection to our Yorkshire roots.

"Most importantly, the award belongs to the talented bakery team, whose skill, passion and care go into making our Yorkshire shortbread every day.

"Their commitment to excellence helps ensure that our products reflect the heritage, quality and attention to detail that customers have associated with Bettys for generations."

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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