Russell Norman and business partner Richard Beatty will be opening Polpo Exeter at 18 Higher Market Guildhall, Queen Street this March.
The Exeter restaurant will follow on from the traditions of its eight sister restaurants and style itself as a 'bacaro', the Venetian word to describe a humble restaurant serving simple food, and young Italian wines.
Open all day, the menu will feature Venetian classics such as Fritto Misto and Roast Stuffed Pork with Lentils and Radicchio as well as favourites such as Pizza Marinara, Crab and Chilli Linguine, Pork and Fennel Meatballs and individual Tiramisu Pots. There will be, for the first time and exclusively for Exeter, a comprehensive breakfast and coffee menu, to eat in or take-away.
Unique features for Exeter will include a fully open kitchen, where customers will be able to see their food being prepared from scratch no matter where they are seated in the restaurant or bar. Polpo Exeter will also offer an all-day set menu for 2 courses and 3 courses in addition to the a la carte menu, printed onto Italian butchers paper.
Russell Norman says, “Exeter is a wonderful city full of beauty, culture and charm, and we are extremely lucky to have found a site for Polpo in Higher Market Guildhall. Being protected from the roads and the sight of cars, combined with our large outdoor terrace, it reminds me very much of the small squares found in Venice.
'We can’t wait to open our doors this Spring and welcome fans of good food, good wine, Venetian Spritz and old-school hospitality,”
Polpo revels in the Venetian tradition of aperitivo and will be serving Spritz, Campari, Aperol, Negronis and Bellinis all day long. The exclusively Italian wine list begins with Polpo’s own label wines.
Formed in 2009, Polpo operates branches in London, Bristol and Brighton. The brand has won a number of awards including Michelin Guide Bib Gourmands and several trade awards.