Six by Nico Aberdeen’s latest menu, “Murder on the Midnight Express,” transports diners back to the 1930s for an evening of culinary detective work.
Running from 27 January to 9 March 2025, this immersive experience combines a thrilling murder mystery with an exquisite six-course tasting menu, creating an enchanting night out that’s anything but ordinary.
I was invited to experience the menu and was thoroughly impressed throughout the evening.
All Aboard for a New Dining Experience
Nico Simeone, CEO and Founder of Six by Nico, recently announced a structural change to the restaurant. The change focuses on smaller guest numbers for a more personalised experience.
This was evident during my visit; the attention to detail and personalised service created a truly exclusive atmosphere. Each diner receives individual attention and a unique dining journey.
Setting the Scene: Immerse Yourself in the 1930s
Entering the restaurant is like stepping onto the Midnight Express itself. A train conductor greets you on arrival, and soft 1930s music immediately sets the mood.
The Six by Nico team expertly guides you through this murder-solving adventure, sharing their expertise on each dish’s ingredients and wine pairings as you explore the train’s different rooms.
Once aboard the train, the journey begins as the conductor outlines the crime and offers initial hints.
A Menu of Clues
I found the presentation exquisite. The attention to detail in colours and plating pleases the eye and contributes to the immersive atmosphere.
The six-course tasting menu transforms into a Detective Case File, presenting dishes, wine and cocktail pairings, suspects, detective notes, tools, and hints to help guests solve the mystery.
Nico Simeone explained that the concept is gamified: “Guests are given clues alongside their dishes to solve who the murderer is.
“Essentially, we have combined our six-course tasting concept with a unique ‘who dunnit’ / ‘Cluedo’ game, which has been bespokely created for us, in collaboration with a game designer from Scotland, Roz, and our in-house Creative Director Magda.”
The development process for “Murder on the Midnight Express” took 8-10 weeks, starting with the storyline and murder, allowing the team to develop dishes and immersive elements that coincided with the clues.
Within around 4 weeks, the team had the core of the storyline and narrative, which allowed Nico and Andy Temple (Head of Creative Food Research & Development) to begin developing the right dishes and immersiveness to coincide with clues.
Andy said: “It’s been an amazing development process, and to see the positivity of the concept received by our audience has been the cherry on top.”
A Taste of the Journey: Standout Dishes
I chose the pescatarian menu, beginning with a delightful blue cheese parfait with pickled walnuts, served with warm sourdough and whipped butter – a light and promising start.
Among the courses, “Crime Scene” (Course 1) was a standout, featuring creamy goat cheese paired with sweet and tangy pickled raspberry and beetroot.
“Room 36” (Course 2) is also impressive with its refreshing artichoke and perfectly cooked vegetables, enhanced by a surprising touch of tarragon oil. I really liked the combination of the pickles, which added that hint of tang.
I also added on Chef Gustave’s Special – Hot Truffle Honey, Brie and Date Cakes. The earthiness of Hot Truffle Honey, the soft textures of brie, and the date cakes all marry together into a perfect melody of sweet and spicy goodness that tastes great.
Each dish cleverly incorporated clues and elements related to the murder mystery, enhancing the overall experience.
Even the final “Coffee Lounge” dessert, a chocolate mousse with coffee liqueur hidden beneath a layer of cream, became part of the investigation—the Six by Nico staff amusingly helped me figure out the clues even after I’d mistakenly eaten the “evidence”! Six by Nico desserts are my favourite, and I was excited to try it out. What can I say?
When asked about the concept behind each dish, Andy explained: “The dishes were developed with the character clue, the room of the incident/clue and, of course, the dish itself.”
One of Nico’s favourite dishes on the menu is Course 4: Poached Sole, Burnt Apple, Cauliflower Purée, and Tartare Sauce.
He explained: “This dish, we feel, really allows even those who wouldn’t normally enjoy a fish course to indulge.
“The balance of acidity and the richness of cauliflower puree makes it palatable and delicious. Our secret ‘Tartare Sauce’ though is what makes it…”
I also enjoyed the tartare sauce; its creamy sharpness perfectly complemented the light and delicate fish.
Perfectly Paired Wines and Cocktails
I found the wine pairings to be thoughtfully selected and complemented each course perfectly!
Six by Nico collaborates with the local Scottish company TAN&NS to source wines directly from producers.
For those who prefer cocktails, Six by Nico also offers a cocktail pairing.
“For our cocktail pairing, we work with our head of Mixology at Somewhere by Nico to collaborate on the cocktails,” said Andy, ensuring consistent flavour throughout the dining experience.
Final Verdict: An unforgettable Aberdeen experience
“Murder on the Midnight Express” offers a refreshing change from the usual dining experiences in Aberdeen.
It’s an ideal evening out for crime fiction enthusiasts, couples seeking an unconventional date night, or anyone looking to be immersed in a different era while enjoying exceptional cuisine.
Overall, I found the evening exciting and enjoyable. It was refreshing to be fully immersed in solving the mystery and to take my mind off everyday life for a few hours with great food and company.
The presentation was impressive and had a rustic charm, while the food combinations worked very well together, evoking a sense of the 1930s through their array of flavours.
Do you think you can solve Chef Gustave’s murder? Book your table via Six by Nico’s website you won’t want to miss this!
