Another one of those restaurants that everyone seems to be talking about and I hate missing out on the fun, so was keen to try it ASAP. The location is an area of Glasgow I don't really venture, and I'm not sure how you'd get there without a car. We had friends visiting so took that as the perfect excuse to book in for their Tuesday night dinner where they also offer a 2-1-2 deal (2 courses for two people with a bottle of wine for £30). We were a little early for our booking but were seated quickly and had our pick of tables. The restaurant space isn't overly large and you get a great view of the head chef putting the finishing touches on the dishes at the pass right in front of you which certainly made it a little more interesting than a standard restaurant. We were going to get the 2-1-2 deal but none of us really fancied drinking that much, so we just went for the set menu instead (2 courses for £17 or 3 for £20). I had the scallop (£4 supplement) and the shellfish risotto for main. Menu descriptions are a little short but I'm pretty happy to be surprised. We were served a butternut squash velouté to start which was lovely, a nice little portion and topped with truffle oil. I loved my starter - a generous portion of scallops, beautiful presentation and that serious wow-factor taste that I always get so excited for. Main was a lovely shellfish risotto which was unlike any I've had before - it had a lovely, generous mix of seafood and was very rich. It did get a little overwhelming by the end but I really can't complain - it was a really high standard of food that really impressed me. We decided not to get dessert. While I wouldn't say portion sizes were huge, I was totally stuffed after two courses so we just got the bill. Our only issues on the night were the service which was a little slow and haphazard - it took a while for my friend to be able to order her wine, and it took a couple of goes to get the card machine to pay the bill. These little issues didn't affect the night though and the food was so impeccable that it's still a 5-star from me. I'd go back in a heartbeat as I enjoyed it so much. The bill worked out to be around £60 per couple with drinks etc which I thought was quite reasonable. read more

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I had heard about this restaurant and in recently joining yelp I read some really positive reviews which encouraged me to go. It didn't disappoint. Depending where you live its possibly not the easiest to get to as there is not a local subway, or train station handy. We had the car, however I think there is a local bus route that would stop near by. Plenty of on street parking which is free. On arrival the manager was busy on the phone, however he instantly acknowledged us and we were seated quickly. There was actually no one in for lunch the entire time we were there, surprisingly this did not effect the atmosphere. It was bright, with a relaxed vibe and chilled music on in the background (cant beat a bit of Paolo on a sat afternoon!) The manager was very attentive and knowledgable of all dishes on the menu. He discussed recently being on wine training, so when ordering my food I ask him to select one he felt suited the dishes. He proceeded to let me try 2 different whites, describing each. This was a nice experience, very personal, but not in an uncomfortable way (my knowledge of wine is limited to Asda 3 for £10, so I enjoyed it.) We opted for the set menu which was 2 courses - £17 or 3 courses - £20. I think this is definitely value for money as the food is of a high quality. To start I had Smoked ham hough sandwich with a waldorph salad. This was unusual, like a ham terrine, with bread in the middle and a very thin piece of pastry on the outside. The flavours worked really well together, and the crisp apple, walnut and blue cheese salad complemented the dish well. For main I had pork fillet with sweet potato, courgette, paprika and salami. I would never have thought to have all these flavours in one dish, but they were the perfect combo. There was a nice smoky hint from the paprika, however this wasn't overpowering. This was a good sized portion, the tiny sweet potato balls were light and perfectly cooked. In the middle of my main the manager asked if I wanted another glass of wine, however I was trying to be well behaved and refrain as I was heading into town for a wee shop. Through past experience wine+shopping = some questionable purchases!! However he must have seen it pained me to say no, so he brought me another glass of white which he felt would go with my pork dish, and this was on the house!!! So lovely. We had a really enjoyable afternoon at 111 Nico's. I can appreciate the manager may not have been as attentive if the restaurant was at full capacity, however he appeared to be very skilled and eager for the restaurant to do well. I do love the background to the restaurant too, and the training academy that offers so many people the opportunity to be learning new skills and produce food to a very high standard. I will definitely be back! read more

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I have wanted to try 111 by Nico for ages and finally last night I made it along for the Monday night tasting club. 5 courses for 20 pounds and it was a truly amazing meal. The food was sensational, the service is impeccable and the pricing is brilliant. Literally every course was great and there was not one disappointing element. The cauliflower amuse bouche was first up and was tasty, delicate and smooth. A great beginning. Next up was smoked mackerel, asparagus, potatoes and a quails egg. Every bit tasted great, but the soft crumbly fish was the star. The food journey continued with lamb belly, raisins, capers and caramelised cauliflower. I actually would say none of them are ingredients I would normally choose. Somehow the chef made it all taste fantastic...... By this point I was very happy and then came perhaps my favourite dish. It was cod, olives, chorizo and cous cous. Tangy and beautiful (I'm running out of descriptors) it tasted bloody brilliant. The final savoury was duck, artichoke, leek, broccoli and red wine. Another contender for best dish of the night. (There is more than one!) I then finished with a flaming coffee creme brûlée, it was not on the menu, but they swapped it in for me when I requested it and I'm glad they did. I love a dessert that comes out on fire and also tastes great. That was certainly the case here. If you got this food elsewhere you would pay a fortune for it. I literally felt like I was getting dishes that would be fit for a final of master chef. I was not a fan of fine dining or tasting menus but this has changed my mind. Along with the food I had lovely house white wine, a IPA beer I had never tried before and a great whisky to finish off. Throughout the meal the staff were friendly and attentive. Dealing with every question and query without hesitation. This place is a bit off the normal restaurant path, but really really is worth the effort to visit. Five, six, seven stars if I could. read more

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The vibe in the restaurant is very much that of a relaxed bistro - the best feature is definitely that the head chef works in the open kitchen in the restaurant whilst his team do prep in a hidden kitchen, so you get a little theatre while you eat. The staff were lovely - friendly, smiley and happy to offer recommendations if you asked. If I had one tiny fault it was that I sat with an empty glass for about 10 minutes but it seemed that lots of tables came in at once and the staff were busy....no biggie - a minor grumble. The concept at 111 is a menu that will change every week. A brilliant but risky idea. Brilliant because every time diners will have an ever different experience, however, if you find a favourite dish you may never see it again. I am sure the new dishes would be just as lovely but still a little risky I think. In truth I could have eaten every single dish on the menu....it was a struggle to only pick one dish for each course. I finally settled on the Duck to start, described as: ravioli, carrot velouté, baked carrot and spinach. When the dish arrived, it was - as expected - a feast for the eyes. It was a beautiful ravioli stuffed full of lovely smokey tender duck, topped with carrot crisps (I love carrot crisps), a well seasoned piece of baked carrot and all topped with a light smooth velouté. It was a gorgeous starter and whetted my appetite for the rest of our meal. For my main dish, I had to have the Cod served with herb crust, sweetcorn, chorizo and black olive tapenade. I have a real thing for chorizo so Just had to try it. When it arrived, it was yet another colourful work of art. The cod was cooked perfectly, the herb crust was only very lightly seasoned and so didn't over power the fish, which was flaky and moist. The chorizo and sweetcorn were the perfect accompaniment - adding texture and bite to the dish. This was probably one of the nicest fish dishes I have ever eaten..it was delicious. For dessert I couldn't look away from the Flaming (YES - FLAMING!!) pistachio and caramel creme brûlée - anything that comes to my table flaming is a winner to me. This dessert was completely and utterly sensational. The top was crunchy and perfectly brittle, it was smooth, creamy, silky, buttery....and absolutely lush! I can only hope that this may pop up on the menu regularly because the thought of never having this again actually breaks my heart a little bit. You need to be aware that the portion sizes aren't massive. I was perfectly content after my 3 courses - could I have eaten more? Yep - I sure could have but I didn't need it, I was perfect as was my friend Louise. The boys however (one 6ft & the other a judo powerhouse) were both still a bit hungry. Just beware that if you like to feel stuffed after you eat, remember to have a sandwich before you go. Here is the mind-blowing part of our night - the 3 course menu was only £20 per person. TWENTY POUNDS!!! So I have zero issue with the quantity of food we were served because the quality was incredible. Completely mind-blowingly outstanding for £20. I will 100% definitely be back here again, regularly I suspect. A brilliant night in lovely surroundings with sensational food...what's not to like?? read more

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It's fair to say you won't stumble across 111. A little bit out of the way, you have to make an effort to go here - it's definitely a taxi or a drive to get here. However, based on the food I've had here the 2 times I've been here, it's well worth the effort. In terms of cost-to-quality, this is definitely up there with the best of the restaurants in Glasgow, and can give the big guns a good run for their money. I've been there for the set menu, which is £19 for 2 courses or 3 for £22. There is a pretty limited menu, but there is enough variety in it to give you a few choices. All of the dishes are served with a bit of flair - smoke, sauces pored at the table, and other bits and bobs add to a high-end feel, as well as the amuse bouche you get at the start of your meal. In spite of all of this, it definitely isn't a high end feeling place; the staff are friendly, and the feel of the place is relaxed and chilled (you won't need to dress up fancy to go here!). The food is very, very good. Last time I was here, I had the ham hough starter, which was a nice big chunk of ham on a bed of fennel and apple which tasted great, and this really benefits from the smoke-under-the-cloche treatment. My pork belly main was also lovely, although possibly slightly similar to my starter in feel. This had a nice pea and ricotta side which really complimented the pork. I also treated myself to the chocolate dessert, which again was nice and fresh, and didn't leave me feeling overly full. Overall, this is a great place to go and eat. If you want something fancy, or want to impress, it's a really good option, especially if you don't want to pay city-centre prices. It's high-end, but definitely not high-priced. Highly recommended. read more

I was made aware of this restaurant by a few people food bloggers I was following, who were raving about the place. I couldn't miss out on checking it out for myself. So what a good opportunity when my boyfriend asked for ideas for his brother's 40th birthday. Looking at the prices and the menu everything seemed incredibly good value for what would be a table of 6. When I arrived it was a very relaxed atmosphere, it was a Wednesday evening and there was 4 other tables seated. Seemed to be a mix of locals from the area, looking for a night out with either their partners or a girly meal over a bottle of wine. We all agreed that we would opt for the 3 courses options for £20. You can also choose 2 courses for £17, or a taster menu for £30. I was keen to look at the taster menu, but there was sadly a few items I wanted to try on the regular menu that wasn't on the taster, which made me settle for the 3 courses. The dishes were fantastically presented, a piece of art one would say, but the differing textures and married flavours on each dish was what made the meal! The star of the show had to be the Pistacho crème brûlée which arrived at the table flaming! Throughout the service was consistent, our waiter was great and chatty, and gave us a bit of banter - it was a family celebration so we were all rather jolly! The £3 Tanqueray helped me along with this. We all left full, happy, amazed in some ways that something so good was such good value for money. I'll be back again in a heartbeat! (Already purchased vouchers to come back again soon!) read more

111 By Nico - Bars Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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A lovely cosy restaurant with a nice warm welcome when we arrived. We had a table booked, which is probably advisable. We also opted for the 2 or 3 course menu which was either £19 or £22. We started with a roasted celeriac and truffle amouse bouche and it was amazing. I could have drunk a whole bowl of it. Just divine. Next our starters-lamb belly and king prawn. Also fab. For mains we had the hake which wasn't what I expected but very enjoyable. My sister had a lovely glass of white wine which was great value and tasted nice too. For dessert we had some delicious appley caramely treats that were called a duo of creme caramel I think. Also lovely. The menu rather undersells it's dishes and the waitress wasn't able to really explain what some of them were but a lovely meal nevertheless. read more

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On a Sunday the restaurant only serves the gourmet menu for £20. It's a 5 course dinner and they take care of all possible diet restrictions, including veganism. We chose the paired wine option for a hefty extra £22. It does not include an apéritif which is a first disappointment. The first course was beautifully balanced and original, with no wine paired. Then came a pretty nice duck egg dish - or at least that is what I think I heard the waiter say. The third course consisted of a slightly overcooked fish with some interesting ingredients but also some utterly superfluous corn that just didn't make sense. The fourth course was very nice, apart from a solitary alas undercooked potato. The menu ended with a nicely balanced desert. So why three stars? This menu is set at £20, which is quite good value for money. However, the music was absolutely too loud which caused people to raise their voices and made it impossible for some of us to understand the waiters. Worse than the music I cannot get past the terrible wine pairing. Paired wine is a selection of wines with such an exceptional palet that they complete the dishes and totally blow you away. None of the wines did that. The dessert wine was the only one that had a surprising taste, the others were nice - not bad - all right - and would go with any food at all. Not what you would call "paired". This at £22 is not acceptable. This restaurant definitely has the potential to do a lot better. I will go back some time, and I hope by then to be able to give 5 stars. The talent is there. read more

After seeing lots of good reviews for this place my flatmate and I decided to give it a try. We went on a Monday night as they do a Monday Taste Club which offers the 5 course taster menu for only £20. Our table was booked for 6.30 and when we arrived the place was really busy. It's quite a small restaurant but they managed to fit a lot of tables in without it feeling too cramped. The feel of the place is very sleek and modern, and there is an open kitchen to watch the chefs at work. My flatmate was driving so we decided not to go for the accompanying wine tasting menu but this is something I would like to come back and try in the future. We were served an amuse bouche of pea veloute which was very fresh and cleansed the palate before the first starter of smoked mackerel served with a crispy quails egg. Mackerel would never be my first choice from a menu but I really enjoyed this course and the quails egg was cooked perfectly. Next course was a ham hough sandwich served with apple. Again this would not be something I picked but it was really delicious and the flavours worked really well together. The next course was my favourite: stone bass with cauliflower, curry and raisins. The serving of fish was a very generous size considering it was a tasting menu and it was cooked perfectly. The cauliflower puree and all the other accompaniments really complemented the fish and I could easily have eaten another plate or 2 of this dish. The second main dish was duck served with asparagus and crispy potato. Duck would never be my first choice of meat but this dish was definitely the nicest duck dish I have tried. The skin was cooked perfectly and the meat itself was delicious. We decided to share a cheese board (at a £7 supplement) and we wished we hadn't bothered as it was definitely the weakest course. We were only given 3 oatcakes, even though we had said that it was to share, and had to ask for more. My friend really rated the blue cheese on offer, while I enjoyed the goats cheese and the brie. The fourth cheese, however, was some sort of hard cheese that tasted like parmesan - it was not enjoyable. Our final course was lime cheesecake with pear and a mint gel. This was so so good and I could have easily eaten another plate of it. I really enjoyed my meal at Nico's and would like to come back and try the main menu at some point. The Monday Taste Club really is amazing value for money but I would definitely recommend booking in advance to ensure you get a seat. read more

Superb Sunday lunch! We celebrated a special family occasion and the experience at 111, matched the moment. Beautiful food (pork belly, gnocchi and fish dishes all devoured with delight), great service and very reasonable prices. Fair to describe it as an upmarket cafè with a relaxing vibe. Apparently the chefs are all immigrants: more power to their elbows! read more

I cannot talk about the vibe as my small party were the only diners present but the food was terrific. Lovely melt-in-the-mouth smoked hough to start, lovely seafood with pasta for mains and fiery creme brulee to finish. Great value as well for as good food as I have eaten in Glasgow in a long time read more

While planning a trip to Glasgow I came across a number of reviews for 111 by Nico. Critics and diners alike repeatedly raved about the menu and the value. There was so much praise I almost passed, figuring it was too good to be real. Fortunately my wife and I rolled the dice. Cannot say enough good things about the food, presentation and service. We arrived hungry after a long day tour. So hungry we ordered a bread starter to hold us over till we could order. The tasty round loaf was accompanied by a tasty spread and an espresso cup of mushroom elixir that had us swooning. And each subsequent offering was a similar delight. Crab and scallop plate and tomato starter were just delightful. Main plates of pollock and risotto were heavenly combinations of flavors perfectly matched. Throughout we were delighted by superior service provided by each of three servers and the working host. All of this while watching the open kitchen show of culinary professionalism. I may have to cross the pond again soon. read more

Food - 5 stars! Service could have been slightly better and place was cold. Menu and pricing, brilliant If this chef was elsewhere in the West End, you have have queues down the street read more