Anyone who knows me knows that delicious and beautifully presented food is the key to making my heart go a-thump-a-thump-thump. And new clothes. And more recently, Spitfire fighter planes.
(But let's just stick with the first one for now.)
So when Tom suggested we meet at Polpo in Soho last night (yeah! It rhymes!!!), my heart made the requisite a-thump-a-thump-thump - I was in love. I'd heard good things about Polpo but hadn't yet had the opportunity to try it for myself. The website describes the restaurant as a "bacaro in Soho" which "takes its inspiration from the osterie and dintorni of Venice". At this, my (left) eyebrow arched, as that's a lofty statement to make.
But Polpo lives up to its reputation - if not more. Clearly popular with Londoners (though we had arrived early, the tables quickly filled and the bar area was shoulder-to-shoulder standing room only), it gives the effect of being an intimate, hip little eatery nestled in Hoxton square of East London, rather than its actual location of try-hard Soho.
We ordered a selection of tapas-style dishes: (including one that I was very much looking forward to, the squid ink risotto, which was utterly delicious, sweet and flavorful), melt-in-the-mouth pizzetta blanca, saucy polpette and some really lovely, but simple, vegetarian dishes for the veggie at our table. And for dessert, I indulged in Tom's recommendation of affrogato al caffe - coffee poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Divine.
While the food is quite rich and I must admit, John and I both woke with slightly sore tummies, it's definitely worth a visit - even if you're just dropping in for a drop of wine and bar snacks.
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