Address: 41 Beak Street, London W1F 9SB
WWW: http://www.polpo.co.uk
Summary: Does not live up to its reputation.
After having read and heard so much about it from different sources, we decided to go to this restaurant for Steve's birthday. The place had indeed a nice ambiance, very cosy, and waiters do make you feel at home. We knew the place had small dishes to share, and this is what we ended up doing.
For the first round, we ordered chopped chicken liver crostini (2.5 pounds), pickled artichoke and mozzarella (3 pounds) and goat cheese, roasted grape and honey bruschetta (7 pounds) with a 0.75l of their house wine (18 pounds). The crostini, the tastiest of the evening, was crunchy and generously loaded with chicken liver pate (which we both like). The pickled artichoke and mozzarella was inconsequential, and while I liked the roasted grapes on the bruschetta, blending very well to the goat cheese, the bread was too much cake-like for a bruschetta in our opinion.
For the second round, Steve went for beef-pork meatballs and spaghettini (9 pounds), while I chose calamari, parsley and radish salad (8 pounds). Instead of parsley, I got rucola, which is a better exchange. However, Steve, who is the rucola-lover, did not fight for a second serving. The calamari was nicely cooked, while the tomato sauce of the spaghettini tasted right out of the can. Meatballs were also a quite generous portion, however, the taste was so-so.
Our final round was devoted to desserts - tiramisu for me (5 pounds) and flourless orange and almond cake for Steve (5,5 pounds) accompanied by espressos. This was indeed the highlight of our meal - the espressos were very good, and both desserts were simple but delicious. So, if we come ever again, which we doubt, we will come for the desserts.
WWW: http://www.polpo.co.uk
Summary: Does not live up to its reputation.
 |
| From: http://www.goodforlunch.com/news/21343 |
After having read and heard so much about it from different sources, we decided to go to this restaurant for Steve's birthday. The place had indeed a nice ambiance, very cosy, and waiters do make you feel at home. We knew the place had small dishes to share, and this is what we ended up doing.
For the first round, we ordered chopped chicken liver crostini (2.5 pounds), pickled artichoke and mozzarella (3 pounds) and goat cheese, roasted grape and honey bruschetta (7 pounds) with a 0.75l of their house wine (18 pounds). The crostini, the tastiest of the evening, was crunchy and generously loaded with chicken liver pate (which we both like). The pickled artichoke and mozzarella was inconsequential, and while I liked the roasted grapes on the bruschetta, blending very well to the goat cheese, the bread was too much cake-like for a bruschetta in our opinion.
For the second round, Steve went for beef-pork meatballs and spaghettini (9 pounds), while I chose calamari, parsley and radish salad (8 pounds). Instead of parsley, I got rucola, which is a better exchange. However, Steve, who is the rucola-lover, did not fight for a second serving. The calamari was nicely cooked, while the tomato sauce of the spaghettini tasted right out of the can. Meatballs were also a quite generous portion, however, the taste was so-so.
Our final round was devoted to desserts - tiramisu for me (5 pounds) and flourless orange and almond cake for Steve (5,5 pounds) accompanied by espressos. This was indeed the highlight of our meal - the espressos were very good, and both desserts were simple but delicious. So, if we come ever again, which we doubt, we will come for the desserts.
