Nico Simeone is a serious chef. Meticulous and exacting, during a busy service he is precise in his movements and his instructions. Intense but focused.
Beyond the kitchen, he is less bombastic than some of his contemporaries. Tall and lean, he exudes a quiet confidence and has an easy rapport with his staff.
Six by Nico propelled him into the forefront of the Glasgow food scene. Occuppying a prominent position in Finnieston, it was our pick for best new restaurant opening of 2017.
111 by Nico in Kelvinside has always been the passion project. It’s here that Simeone continues to train and
spark the creativity of chefs in a cook school and restaurant, often providing opportunities to people from a disadvantaged background.
He’s prepared would-be chefs for jobs in top kitchens across Scotland.
Last month 111 by Nico changed. In a burst of publicity, positive reviews and a flurry of Instagram images, a new concept was introduced.
Trust.
the Trust menu begins with an amuse bouche highlighting local flavours, then guests enjoy individual courses created from an ingredient palette. Each course is devised by the chef at their discretion. The five course tasting menu ends on a sweet note with a rich dessert.
Nico Simeone said: “The first and most important element of this new dining experience is the expression of trust. It’s not simply saying, ‘I don’t care what you give me,’ instead, it tells our chefs that the customer trusts their judgment about the current seasonal produce available to them and what the best courses could be at that particular moment.”
The Trust tasting menu is a collaborative experience where guests choose from a list of twelve ingredients. The team of chefs decide the dishes that are served to a customer rather than the customer ordering off an a la carte menu.
When Glasgowist visited we put ourselves totally in the hands of the chefs, allowing them to select every element of the meal. The dishes were beautiful and surprising.
The power of the Trust menu is allowing elements to appear on your plate that you would not naturally gravitate towards. It allows the discovery of new textures and taste senations. Allowing the chefs at 111 by Nico to express themselves is not a mere fad, it’s the new raison d’etre for 111 by Nico.
Our visit was one of the most impressive meals we have had in Glasgow.
You can find the August menu card for the restaurant below. For dishes like the ones we tried, and many that will not resemble them in any way, trust Nico and the team to deliver the meal that you need.
111 Cleveden Road
Kelvinside
Glasgow
G12 0JU
Tel: 0141 334 0111
111 by Nico – August Menu Card
Amuse Bouche
GREEN TOMATO OR CEASAR SALAD
Choose one ingrdient to influence each course.
Course 2
LOCH ETIVE SEA TROUT
LAMB SWEETBREAD
PINK FUR APPLE POTATOES
Course 3
GLOBE ARTICHOKE
LOCH RYAN OYSTER
WOOD PIGEON
Course 4
GREY SOLE
JACOBS LADDER
FREGOLA PASTA
Course 5
BRUCES RASPBERRIES
POPCORN
SAFFRON