A restaurant in Manchester has released a new tasting menu inspired by the weird and wonderful world of fairytales.
Crowd-pleasing favourite Six By Nico is known for its six-course tasting menus that change every six weeks.
Its newest menu A Feast of Stories draws inspiration from children’s storybooks and fairytales with nods to the likes of well-known tales Beauty and The Beast, Oliver Twist and Matilda.
The most eye-catching dish, based on pictures alone, looks to be the final course – a rose-shaped dessert served in a glass cloche.
Image: Six By Nico
Reminiscent of the dying, enchanted rose that marks the Beast’s final chance for redemption, Six By Nico’s version is completely edible – a combination of mascarpone creme, rose, hibiscus and rhubarb.
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Elsewhere you’ll find the unironically named ‘Please Sir, Can I Have Some More’, a combination of confit potato, hay baked potato mousseline, preserved wild Garlic and pickled onion.
Promising to ‘leave you hungry for more’ diners are advised on this first course to ‘lift the lid to reveal a satisfying second helping’ as chef Nico Simone plays with one of his strengths, the contrast of appearance and reality.
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Further dishes include the intriguing-sounding ‘Paddington Bear Marmalade’ with mushroom XO marmalade, sourdough bruschetta, truffle and ox cheek ragou and a Matilda-inspired tandoori carrot dish with carrot remoulade, carrot top pesto, saffron pickled carrot, citrus goats curd.
Further down the menu, there’s a Danny, Champion of the World-inspired plate of cured and torched Loch Etive trout, smoked bone veloute, artichoke, sea herbs, bergamot gel and salted cucumber and duck dish that nods to the infamous tale of the ugly duckling.
TItled ‘The Ugly Duckling, the Most Beautiful’, here chefs combine duck, leg boulangere, pickled walnut, salsify, toasted cereal, pear and fig.
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‘The Ugly Duckling, the Most Beautiful’ / Image: Six by Nico
As well as vegetarian alternatives, the ‘Once Upon a Time’ theme also offers a Mary Poppins – Spoonful of Sugar Aperitif and Fantastic Mr Fox– Farmer Bunce’s liver and doughnuts as a side snack.
The menu promises to ‘take guests on a journey through the huggable bear from Peru’s adventures in London, across the dark and mysterious forest that surrounds the Beast’s Castle and into the river with the Ugly Duckling as he matures into a majestic Swan – the most beautiful bird of all. ‘
Chef Nico Simeone said: “Our ‘Once Upon A Time’ theme is a gastronomic journey through the enchanting realm of fairytales and folklore.
“It’s also a new chapter for Six by Nico restaurants as we introduce a new wave of engaging themes that provide our customers with unique food and drink experiences”.
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The menu is priced at £32 per person with the option to enjoy matching wine pairing for an additional £27. Additional aperitifs and snack sides are not included in the set price.
Viral Korean street food brand Bunsik is coming to the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Korean street food brand Bunsik is branching out, with a brand-new restaurant confirmed for the Trafford Centre.
Set to open later this year, the London-born brand will be bringing its viral Korean corn dogs – with cheese pulls that stretch as far as your arms will go – to the huge shopping centre.
As well as that, Bunsik is famed for classic Korean street food dishes like ttekbokki, crispy fried chicken, and kimbap.
The Korean favourite already has a popular site over in Manchester city centre, opening up on Piccadilly Gardens back in 2023.
Bunsik is set to open in the Trafford Centre’s The Orient food hall in June, taking over the old Shere Khan unit.
It joins other recent openings like Joe & The Juice, Jerk Junction, and the brand-new Eastern Garden dining area which is home to Blanchflower, Chit n Chaat, and Hello Oriental.
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Bunsik to Trafford Centre this summer.
“It’s a brand that brings something fresh, fun and exciting to our food lineup, and we know our visitors are going to love it.”
Korean corn dogs from BunsikThe existing Bunsik at Piccadilly Gardens
Jae Cho, founder of Bunsik, said: “We have been truly overwhelmed by the incredible love and support Manchester has shown us since we opened at Piccadilly Gardens.
“Seeing so many people enjoy our food every day gave us the confidence to believe that Bunsik could truly become a nationwide brand.
“It confirmed that the UK’s love for Korean street food is even stronger than we imagined.
“With that same energy and confidence, we are now thrilled to bring Bunsik to the iconic Trafford Centre. We hope our new home becomes just as beloved a spot for everyone in Manchester and the surrounding areas. We can’t wait to welcome you all very soon!”
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is returning to Manchester next month
Daisy Jackson
One of the world’s silliest and most-loved experiences is returning to Manchester this year, offering people the chance to step inside the world of Fawlty Towers.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience sees immersive theatre blend with a three-course dinner, bringing Britain’s most infamous hotel to life.
Fans of the hit 1970s comedy will enjoy two hours of mayhem led by Basil, Sybil and Manuel, all while tucking into a delicious era-appropriate meal.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has become an immersive dining phenomenon, scooping awards and selling out venues across the globe since launching almost 30 years ago.
In the years since, it’s welcomed more than one million guests, celebrated 13 years of its West End residency in London, and hosted celebrations for 50 years of the original BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.
And now it’s Manchester’s turn, with the event returning to our city between 3 and 15 February.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is returning to ManchesterThe event is hosted by actors playing Basil, Sybil and ManuelAround 70% of the action is improvisedGuests are served a three-course 70s-inspired meal during the Faulty Towers experienceCredit: Rosie Powell
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience will be taking over the Voco hotel on Portland Street for a limited run, starring Aaron Millard as ‘Basil’, Rebecca Norris as ‘Sybil’, and Simon Hourihan as ‘Manuel’.
You can definitely expect two hours of theatre, chaos, and a 70s-inspired three-course meal, but with around 70% of the performances completely improvised, we can’t tell you much more than that…
Producer Jared Harford said: “It’s such a joy to be bringing Basil and the team back to Manchester. After such an incredible 2025 celebrating 50 years of Fawlty Towers, we can’t wait to continue sharing the laughter, chaos and community spirit that make this show so special.”
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience in Manchester:
Tuesday 3 February to Sunday 15 February
Tuesday to Saturday – doors open 6.45pm, seating and show starts 7.30pm
Saturday and Sunday – doors open 12.45pm, seating and show starts 1.30pm
Ticket prices, all including three-course meal and two hour immersive experience:
Tuesday to Thursday dinner, and Saturday or Sunday lunch – £67.50 pp (including fees) Friday or Saturday dinner £71.50 pp (including fees). Bookings can be made via the box office on (+44) 020 3700 3138 or online at www.faultytowersdining.com
Georgina Pellant -
18th January 2022 
