BAB ABOUT TOWN

Six weeks have passed, and Six by Nico once again invites guests to try out their new dining experience and ‘tumble down the rabbit hole’ into Wonderland for their latest theme – the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. As I embarked on this culinary journey, I met a few familiar faces such as the white rabbit to the Queen of Hearts, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy my curiosity, and by the end of the experience, I found myself filled with disappointment, wishing I had chosen a different rabbit hole.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS WAS AN INVITE; however, my views are my own.

Six by Nico, known for its affordable changing menus every six weeks, sets a price of £39 per person. With the option to indulge in a wine pairing for an additional £30, it promises a unique dining experience. On my last visit, I couldn’t sing its praises enough, as I really enjoyed the chippy menu. So, I was overly excited to see what Six by Nico had in store for us next!

On a Thursday at 5pm, the restaurant was less than half full, and as we scanned the menus (which we later discovered were edible), we ordered the “keyhole” mocktail, a refreshing concoction resembling a summer drink which was lovely and refreshing. I opted for the Classic menu (meat) and The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party began with a Mushroom Tea, Smoked Bacon Jam, Truffle Parmesan Royale, Pickled Walnut & Keens Cheddar Scone. A pleasant introduction, though it failed to scream “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party,” the cheddar scone emerged as a standout element, one bite revealed a gooey, molten core of cheese that melted luxuriously in my mouth. The mushroom tea was okay, but it resembled more of the swamp scene out of The Neverending Story than wonderland.

The second course called “The White Rabbit” consisted of rabbit, chicken & date ballotine accompanied by Beef Fat Roasted Carrot, Tarragon Pesto, Rabbit Bolognese, and Carrot Ketchup. While the ballotine was enjoyable to eat, however, an overpowering amount of Tarragon pesto really ruined the whole dish for me. The third course, titled “Paint The Roses Red,” showcased goat cheese Mousseline, Baby Beetroot, Garden Radish, Kalamata Olive Soil, and Red Apple Caramel. Creatively presented but disappointingly bland, the dish lacked the expected burst of flavour. The goat’s cheese was nonexistent, and it felt almost like a palette cleanser; there was no substance to it at all, and it was just an overall confusing dish.

When it came to the fourth dish, the waits were longer around 15 minutes where as before they came within five minutes. The fourth course, “Eat Me, Drink Me,” featured Roasted Black Pollock, Miso Glaze, Bonito Emulsion, White Turnip Puree, Pickled Tokyo Turnip, and Dashi Broth. As the dish was finally presented, the gleaming white fish, Pollock, cooked to perfection, caught my eye. Lovely and tender with a flaky texture covered in a miso Glaze, however it lay in a dashi broth that lacked flavour.

“Off With Its Head,” More like off with my head. I was getting a bit restless with the lack of theme however the fifth course, brought a glimmer of hope with Pork Belly, Choucroute, Apple Gel, Pig Head Croquette, Cauliflower & Sauce Charcuterie. Delicious and glazed to perfection, it offered a moment of redemption.

Finally, for the dessert, “The Queen of Hearts,” A dish that was very much on the theme, a White Chocolate Mousse, Red Velvet Cake, Raspberries, and Pecan Brittle, marked the climax of the meal. Creamy, sweet, and crunchy, it was a stunning combination that silenced the table. Regrettably, it was the last dish, leaving me wishing the journey had started with such brilliance. of course, you can’t really start with a pudding, but then again, this is a Mad Hatter’s tea party after all…

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party sadly failed to fully embrace the Alice in Wonderland theme, it felt more Coroline than Alice with its moody tones and swamp-like broths. With missing characters like the Caterpillar and that googley-eyed cat, where was the bloody Cheshire Cat?! Teacups, flowers, drink me bottles, etc. Inconsistencies in service and explanations about the dishes further detracted from the experience. We were served by three different people, one who explained the story behind the dish and how it kept with the theme (this was explained once) one who wasn’t too sure what was in the dishes and the third was very friendly and just explained what was in the dishes and not the story behind them – it was incredibly inconsistent but one thing was consistent that they were all very pleasant and polite. Perhaps the theme wasn’t a match for my taste or maybe the theme was too big for Six by Nico, but leaving the rabbit hole, I felt more confused and tired than enchanted. While acknowledging it’s the first week of the new menu and with new staff in training, honesty compels me to admit that this Six by Nico experience fell short of expectations.

I fI find myself in a state of internal conflict when contemplating the price of a six-course tasting menu priced at £39. On one hand, it’s hard to argue with the affordability and the number of dishes, it is a bloody bargain However, I left feeling disappointed and that overshadows this consideration. I believe there was immense potential for creativity and innovation with the theme, and it’s disheartening to see that potential unrealised. The promotional material led me to expect a really cool and “out there” Mad Hatter’s theme, yet the execution sadly left much to be desired. I liked some dishes but the majority of them just didn’t do it for me, a totally different experience from my last visit where it was winner after winner. Despite my previous love for Six by Nico’s “The Chippy” theme, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party left me eager to scramble back out of the rabbit hole. As they say, curiosity killed the cat, and in this case, I would have preferred to skip this theme altogether.

Despite the disappointment with this particular theme, I’m inclined to believe that one subpar experience doesn’t entirely diminish the appeal of the restaurant. My first encounter with their innovative concept left me thoroughly impressed, and I’m willing to chalk this instance up to a one-off letdown. To be fair, one or two on our table enjoyed the experience so it’s one not to strike off, it just wasn’t for me bab. The unique approach to changing themes every six weeks is a fantastic aspect of Six by Nico that has kept me intrigued and I applaud them for this. While the Mad Hatter’s theme may not have lived up to my expectations, I’m optimistic about what the future holds. Another six weeks will reveal whether this was just a hiccup or a pattern, and I’m eager to see what culinary adventure Six by Nico has in store next.

The independent establishment that has given me a bit of trouble throughout blogging in the past year or so is Tropea. No fault of Tropea, the blame is all on me for taking what feels like a lifetime to try them out. I often ask, “Where should I review next, folks?” “Bab, for goodness’ sake, TROPEA IS THE ONLY ANSWER!” After the backlash from those who constantly insisted, I visit Tropea (now, I thank you all), I decided to kick off the new year by finally giving Tropea in Harborne a try. Recognised as the Best Local Restaurant in Central and East England by the Good Food Guide UK and featured in the Michelin Guide, and a fan-favourite of many!

On a Saturday lunchtime, they were able to accommodate us. To be honest, I couldn’t believe my luck as I have been told it’s quite tricky to get a table at Tropea. Greeted by a familiar face, Toby, an incredible Birmingham bartender with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with, showed us to our seats. The restaurant is small, offering diners a modern and intimate dining experience. It’s a lovely restaurant and has a great atmosphere even though it’s only 1pm!

I requested water, adhering to my newfound “new year, new me” commitment. However, I realised I started this way too soon as we were seated right next to the bar, witnessing glorious cocktails being crafted. My god, they were tempting – the espresso martini was like a knife to my heart, but I stuck to my word, proceeding to stick with water and remain good. What a bloody prat I am.

Looking through the menu, we found a great selection of Italian dishes, an adventurous and daring menu not seen elsewhere. Meats, vegetarian options, plenty that I wanted to explore here and It was recommended for two people to share around 6-8 dishes, resembling a tapas-style dining experience. The menu changes according to availability of seasonal produce and Toby guided us with recommendations on dish pairings which was a great help.

To start, we ordered burrata with roasted sweet red peppers, rocket, toasted hazelnuts, basil oil, and Maldon salt, bombolone (Italian filled doughnuts) stuffed with gorgonzola, pickled walnuts, red onion jam, and focaccia with olives and house pickles. Where do I start? Let’s begin with what blew me away – the Bombolone doughnuts were like a kick in the mouth of sensational flavours, a welcome to Tropea and a realisation of what I had been missing out on. Next, we tried the burrata, beautiful, especially when paired with the focaccia—it was rich and creamy, what a dream!

Next up, the pasta. We ordered pappardelle venison ragu with rosemary and 24-month Parmesan and Cappellacci stuffed with butternut squash and sage butter. The venison ragu was gorgeous, rich, and succulent—venison seasoned beautifully with rosemary was a dream to eat. But the cappellacci stuffed parcels stole the show—my favourite dish of the night. Filled with a beautiful blend of butternut squash, it’s a dish that many should experience and one that took me by surprise to be honest as I often find vegetarian pasta options just, well boring really! but this was far from it.

Filling up nicely, I totally forgot that we had ordered some meat/fish dishes—gulp! I am about to burst here, and Josie was half asleep. As soon as the dishes arrived, I nearly shot up out of my seat but I was mesmerised by the shell-on baked wild red prawns in chili garlic oil, accompanied by plain focaccia for dipping, and grilled pork collar with stewed borlotti beans, pear, and mustard chutney, rosemary. Succulent prawns seasoned beautifully—usually when I order shell prawns, they’re seasoned on the outside and not on the inside, so I was chuffed to taste some seasoned prawn with an easy-to-crack shell. The chili oil drizzle went wonderfully with the focaccia. The grilled pork was cooked perfectly, and I loved pairing it up with the borlotti beans, pear, and mustard chutney—what a mouthful!

We skipped dessert as it was approaching 3pm, right when they close for dinner. however, they were very accommodating even nearing 3pm and beyond. No rush, faultless customer service, and incredible food—the trifecta of Tropea. It’s firmly in my top ten dining experiences, and one thing that stood out was the constant smiling of customers. Clearly, people really adore this place; it’s not pretentious—it’s a fantastic spot for everyone to gather, socialize over great food, and, of course, experience the magic of Tropea. A little bit on the pricey side however how can I complain when the quality is so outstanding? You pay for quality, and you get quality here, simple as that. I could sing its praises all day long—really, REALLY loved it. As many would say, better late than never. Now, it’s my turn to offer a bit of advice: if you’re contemplating a visit, don’t wait like I did. But honestly, who am I kidding? You all bloody know about Tropea, so all that’s left to say is good luck getting a table!

Book your table at Tropea here

Firstly, I want to start this review by apologising and saying I am a complete tit for taking bloody ages to try out Smoke at Hampton Manor. I also apologise for using the word “tit”

Smoke is located in the stunning setting of Hampton Manor, which is jaw-droppingly beautiful, It is an enormous estate that now holds a Michelin-starred restaurant, Grace and Savour, a Victorian Manor House that looks like something out of a fairytale holding fifteen boutique bedrooms and Stuart Deeley’s first restaurant, “Smoke”. If you’re unfamiliar with Stu, then let me fill you in. Stuart won the title of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2019, and he has worked in some of the city’s best restaurants, including Simpsons and The Wilderness. Now, he is hidden away within the beautiful grounds of Hampton Manor in his restaurant “Smoke.” Mysterious yet the smoke is pretty inviting!

The interior is rustic throughout, almost like walking into my dad’s garden shed, If my Dad had a luxury garden shed with leather chairs, steel and iron throughout. Glistening glasses and copper lamps create a warm ambiance, and there’s a lovely view of the glass house where they grow some of the ingredients used in their cooking. We took our seats, were given the menus, and I squealed with excitement, “They do orange wine!” Now, that’s the way we like to start! Sadly, I didn’t take note of the name of the orange wine (Bloody numpty Amy), but luckily, there are only two, and I couldn’t decide between the two as they were so refreshing and beautifully flavoured and therefore I must advise you to order both.

Not a fan of orange? (You are killing me man!) then the wine list offers a good variety of options that cater to all palates. It offers something truly special – wines on tap! Smoke is committed to serving up sustainable, exceptional quality wines that are grown without chemicals or pesticides, with a focus on quality and sustainability, Smoke’s wine list is a true testament to their commitment to offering the very best and guess what? I felt on top of the world when I left and didn’t suffer a dirty hangover the next day, SCORE!

 We opted for the lunch menu, which consisted of three courses for £60. Ingredients are especially selected and cooked over coals to optimise flavour and intensity, creating that smoky texture – We couldn’t wait. We started our meal with an introduction course that featured garden vegetables such as beetroot, radishes and kale served alongside Cobble Lane cured meats with a nasturtium emulsion and sunflower seeds. I love a good picky session and scooping the silky nasturtium emulsion and spreading it all over the freshly baked sourdough was just heaven. Kale so crispy and full of flavour, beetroot so sweet and combined with the smoky cured meats – a truly delightful experience. We got a bit carried away and totally forgot; this was not our starters. “Are you feeling a bit full?” my friend Josie asked. Bloody full at this time?! The party is only just getting started!

Next, I had the Crispy Ox Cheek, Pickled Walnut, and Sherry Jelly. At first, it looked like a bird’s nest on my plate. I never thought a bird’s nest would taste so delicious. The ox cheek was perfectly cooked, with a crispy exterior and a tender and juicy interior. The pickled walnut added a tangy and acidic note that complemented the richness of the meat, and the sherry jelly provided a lovely sweetness! Every bite had me swooning, so much that I nearly fell off my chair.

We had the chance to taste the Scallop and Courgette in Thai Green Sauce (Stu wanted us to try it) and it was incredible. The scallop was perfectly cooked, with a delicate and tender texture, while the courgette added a nice freshness and a little crunch to the dish. The problem with this dish was, it was too good, like I could have had about ten bowls of it.

For my main course, I had the Berico Presa Pork with Artichoke, Grelot Onion, and Black Garlic. This dish is possibly the best I’ve had so far this year and I am going to spit out some fancy-word bars now. The pork was cooked to perfection, with a succulent and flavourful interior. The artichoke and grelot onion were a perfect accompaniment while the black garlic provided a subtle smokiness that enhanced the overall flavour. I want this on subscription! I know I’m no Gordon Ramsay or Brooklyn Beckham (lol), but my god that dish is possibly one of the best dishes I have had in a very long time and it didn’t end there. Caramelised boulangere potatoes were shared between the table, and they were like bloody gold dust. Thinly sliced, tender and caramelised to perfection. I would also like a subscription for these too please.

Feeling incredibly satisfied. Stu made an appearance and offered to take us for a tour. I think it was too much to ask him to roll me around, so we walked instead. Showcasing the beautiful walled garden where each restaurant at Hampton home-grows their herbs, vegetables. I got to learn more about the Manor Cottage (I wasn’t aware that you could stay there!) The walled garden also leads to Grace and Savour, where I had the pleasure of experiencing last year, and to no surprise, has received their very first Michelin star. David and Annette are a power couple that have really grown and championed this wonderful business, its truly incredible. We came back to Smoke, and I was eyeing up the lovely glasshouse, in which the team advised we could have our desserts inside. Light, spacious, and a beautiful setting to enjoy a fabulous cheese board!

For dessert, I had the Tunworth Cheese with Pear Chutney and Lemon Thyme Cracker. The cheese was creamy and tangy, with a slightly nutty flavour that paired perfectly with the pear chutney. The lemon thyme cracker added a nice crunch and a subtle herbaceous note that tied everything together. It was a delicious and not too heavy, just perfect. Josie shared her dessert, which was the 64% Chocolate Delice with pecan brittle and coffee ice cream. The chocolate delice was rich and decadent, with a velvet texture that melted in your mouth, while the coffee ice cream provided a refreshing and slightly bitter contrast that balanced out the overall sweetness

After our meal we stayed to chat with the staff, who were all so lovely and attentive throughout our stay. It felt like we were in a cosy, homely atmosphere, and we were really pleased with how brilliant the staff were. Their kindness made our dining experience all the more enjoyable.

Overall, my experience at this restaurant was exceptional. The food was expertly prepared, full of flavour, and inventive, and the setting was stunning. I left feeling incredibly satisfied but extremely frustrated that I had waited so long to try out Smoke. Michelin, if you’re reading this (which most likely you won’t be, but hey, a girl can dream right?), Smoke should be at the top of the list to explore. None of the dishes here are just “okay”; they are all exceptionally executed and were a constant reminder of why I love writing about food. Experiences like this will stay with me for a long time. Don’t do as I did, book immediately and treat yourselves. It offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience that is priceless.

Book your table at Smoke here

Lunch menu is available from Friday to Sunday.