Last Thursday evening, a group of Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students, accompanied by members of the French Department, enjoyed a memorable culinary visit to Six by Nico in Oxford.
The restaurant was presenting its themed six-course Parisian tasting menu, offering contemporary interpretations of classic French dishes. Throughout the evening, students were able to sample beautifully crafted plates inspired by traditional favourites such as soupe à l’oignon, steak tartare and crème brûlée, each prepared with a creative modern twist.
The setting itself added greatly to the experience. The evening was hosted in an elegant dining room decorated in a stylish Art Deco style, complete with olive trees that created a warm and sophisticated atmosphere. From the moment the first course arrived, it was clear that this would be a truly special gastronomic experience.
Each dish was presented with remarkable care and attention to detail, making every plate look like a miniature work of art. The flavours were equally impressive and it quickly became clear that choosing a favourite course would be no easy task. For many students, the combination of familiar French classics and innovative presentation made the meal both exciting and memorable.
Students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience French gastronomy in such a refined setting. While a few remarked that the tasting portions were on the smaller side, this did little to diminish the overall enjoyment of the evening, which offered a wonderful introduction to the creativity and elegance of modern French cuisine.
Student reflections:
“J’ai beaucoup apprécié mon repas au restaurant « Six by Nico » grâce à la variété des saveurs proposées dans les différents plats. J’ai particulièrement adoré la nouvelle approche de la crème brûlée.”
“I really enjoyed my meal at the restaurant “Six by Nico” thanks to the variety of flavours offered in the different dishes. I particularly loved the new take on the crème brûlée.”
“C’était tout à fait unique et incroyablement intéressant de voir comment un plat et une palette de saveurs traditionnelles aussi typiques pouvaient être déconstruits de manière aussi créative.”
“It was completely unique and incredibly interesting to see how such a typical traditional dish and range of flavours could be deconstructed so creatively.”
“Tous les plats étaient absolument exquis et le restaurant bénéficiait d’une atmosphère tranquille; c’était une soirée incroyable.”
“All the dishes were absolutely exquisite and the restaurant had a calm atmosphere; it was an incredible evening.”
“Le repas au restaurant Six by Nico m’a beaucoup plu. Il a mélangé des goûts différents, du salé au sucré, ce qui a créé une expérience française unique. La présentation des plats était formidable et vraiment créative, mais ce qui m’a le plus frappé, c’était la crème brûlée déstructurée. L’ambiance raffinée du restaurant a aussi contribué à cette expérience gastronomique. Je recommande ce restaurant à tout le monde.”
“I really enjoyed the meal at the restaurant Six by Nico. It combined different flavours, from savoury to sweet, which created a unique French experience. The presentation of the dishes was excellent and truly creative, but what impressed me most was the deconstructed crème brûlée. The refined atmosphere of the restaurant also contributed to this gastronomic experience. I recommend this restaurant to everyone.”
