Edible menus, playful theatrics and unique flavours can all be found at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, complete with six courses and whimsical moments. Lewis Carroll’s fairytale has officially taken on a new shape at Six By Nico, inviting guests to go down the rabbit hole.
Having launched on Monday, July 14, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party boasts a six-course tasting menu across all Six By Nico UK locations, including the flagship Merchant City restaurant in Glasgow. The new menu is only available for a limited time until August 24, giving guests just over a month to experience the wonder for £45 per person.
The experience at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Secret Glasgow got the chance to attend The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for ourselves (albeit gluten-free), because, after all, We’re All Mad here anyway. That is exactly the name of the first course, which was possibly my favourite – Chicken Fat Doughnut with Roast Chicken Juices – the perfect balance between childhood memories of eating roast chicken dinners with a fine dining twist, unfortunately reminding us of our inevitable adulthood.
The second course is the Caterpillar Secret Garden, featuring Barbecue Hispi Cabbage, Smoked Potato Terrine, Taramasalata, and Garden Herbs, taking us on a smoky stroll (with a literal smoke-filled dish). The third course at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is bringing out the Queen of Hearts, called Paint The Roses Red, with Goat’s Cheese Parfait, Beetroot, Grilled Red Pepper and Ancho Chilli.
My second favourite dish was the Breakfast in Disguise – Sunny Side Upside Down with its own edible menu, featuring a unique, yet satisfying combo of Black Pollock, Black Pudding, Egg Yolk Jam and Smoked Bacon. Then, there was time for violence with Off With His Head, a Crisp Pig Head, Fennel, Lovage, as well as Apple anf Mustard Mousseline. And finally, the tea party concluded with Jam First – Logic Later – ‘Inverted’ Tea & Toast – a Burnt Toast Delice with Summer Strawberries, Breakfast Tea Ganache and ‘Jammy Dodger’.
What is more, those looking for drink pairings with their meal can choose a wine pairing for £30 per person, or a cocktail pairing for £40 per person.
The Mad Hatter himself
Nico Simeone is a Glasgow-born chef of Italian descent. The Chef grew up in a Mediterranean foodie background, with his earliest memories of his mother’s Italian cooking while helping in the kitchen and large family meals around the table. His colourful career led him to own a restaurant empire around Scotland, England and Ireland, as well as a BBC Scotland series, Nico’s Menu Mission.
Chef Nico Simeone said: “The Mad Hatter’s menu is one of our most creative journeys yet. We wanted to bring a sense of summer magic to the table, reimagining classic British tea party elements through the lens of fine dining. Guests should expect the unexpected – delightful flavours, theatrical touches, and a whole lot of fun on the plate.”
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is available at all Six By Nico locations across the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardiff, Oxford and Leeds, and you can book your table here.