Tonic

Tonic has made quite a splash on the Nottingham dining scene in recent years. There is certainly plenty to entertain in this funky multi-level venue: a buzzing bar on each of three floors for cocktails and grazing fodder, and for the main event, a dramatic contemporary dining room. This cool and stylish venue is quite a looker with its eye-catching cinematic art installations, booth seating, chic swivel armchairs and moody pools of purple and scarlet lighting. An open-plan kitchen adds its culinary animation into the mix, coming up with inventive modern British dishes that have no intention of being overshadowed by the glitzy surroundings. Pan-fried scallops with crisp belly pork and artichoke purée is a confident starter, while a main-course trio of local pork brings on loin, belly and cheek, the latter infused with liquorice, and served with hickory-smoked mash. A flaming Bakewell tartlet - actually a deconstructed spin on the theme - involving pots of almond, cherry and vanilla crème brûlée flambéed at the table, makes a theatrical finish.