Russell Norman (pictured) and Richard Beatty, business partners and owners of the Polpo brand, are to re-open its Polpetto site in a new location on Berwick Street in London’s Soho. The new restaurant will seat 70 and will feature an aperitivo bar and an open kitchen.
Polpetto previously occupied the first floor of the French House pub on Dean Street for two years with Florence Knight at the helm, having opened in 2010. Despite critical acclaim, the venue proved too small and Norman and Beatty claimed the restaurant’s 23 seats were always oversubscribed. The new site, which took Norman and Beatty a year to find, will Knight see return to the company as executive head chef.
“We have had almost daily enquiries about the return of Polpetto since we left the French House last year and we have been incredibly particular about finding the right Soho location for the restaurant and for Florence. To be able to relaunch Polpetto in old Soho and within Berwick Street fruit and veg market represents our dream scenario. And to have Florence Knight back at the forefront of the London restaurant scene is just wonderful for everyone,” said Norman.