A bit of food, a bit of travel, a bit of fun:
Once upon a time, a Russian girl grew up in Australia, and moved to London. The existing love of food and travel grew.
Off the back of the success of Pollen St Social, Jason Atherton has opened two new restaurants only a matter of months apart. The latest, Social Eating House is acontemporary laid backbistro, serving a British menu with international flare. Downstairs, there is a 15 seat chefs table right among the hustle of the kitchen, and upstairs a secret cocktail bar serving funky sliders and potent cocktails. The Social Eating House expands on Atherton's 'social' ethos. It is all about creating the perfect environment to lounge, relax and drink some good wine while enjoying the hearty yet innovative food.
An Italian word, Spuntino [a snack, small meal], is the name of the third restaurant to open in the Russel Norman empire. Others being Polpo, Polpetto and daPolpo. The name is fitting to the restaurant, as the menu is precise, with a clear point of sharing small plates of food. The diner/bar set up is true to its origins, as Italians don't go for a quick drink, they go for a quick pizza, and in Spuntino you sit at the bar only (yes only 20-something seats).
The design is rugged in a 'rough part of old town' kinda way, yet is 'cool' in every sense of the word: exposed brick and chipping tile, rusty looking, vintage, wrought iron features, yet a smooth steel finish on the bar and sophisticated woodwork as a polish. In short, the space itself makes you want to be there, it makes you want to come back, and it makes you want to have a beer!
It never would have occurred to me that Byron Hamburgers was not a one of a kind burger joint on Wardour St in Soho (each Byron restaurant is unique to its location). This particular space was once home to the original 'Intrepid Fox'; a Rock'n'Roll watering hole often frequented by the likes of Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart and the Sex Pistols.
And even though all that is left of that life time is the writing on the walls (read above in Ukranian: I was here), the interior still has a sole, a life of its own; a converted warehouse feel, big windows set in exposed brick walls, open plan kitchen and graffiti-clad toilets.
Polpo, and the other restaurants in the family of Russel Norman (Spuntino, Polpetto and the now newly opened da Polpo) have long been the talk of the town, and finally came the day for me to delve into this buzz.
The funky 'diner' style of the long restaurant, with its wooden floors and tables, exposed brickwork and a low, green terracotta tiled ceiling gives this "Venetian wine bar" a cozy feel.
