London - Polpo
Winter 2009
Frank's view 
I guarantee you'll over order
What is a Bacaro?
A quick Google of the word produces a plethora of establishments the world over, all describing themselves as a 'Venetian taverna'.
And so it is clearly no coincidence that Canaletto, the most famous painter of Venetian landscapes, once resided at 41, Beak Street - now Polpo, a Venetain style bacaro.
Normally a highly rated busy establishment is one to book well in advance. However, Polpo does not accept reservations for dinner, only lunch. Even London's most feared restaurant assasin, A A Gill, was forced to wait for 15 minutes by the crowded bar, and still awarded Polpo a rare 4 stars.
It's best to go early or late, unless you're happy to hang around the bar. It's also pot luck which table you end up on. A banquette stretches along one wall, dotted with little pokey-outy nodules which are actually the tables you have to juggle your tapas style dishes around. Much better to be lucky (or early) and secure a large stand alone table. Getting in or out requires movement by all around, and don't think about Polpo as the place for an intimate date, unless you don't mind who you're intimate with.
But hey, the food is fantastic and very inexpensive. Almost all plates (for sharing) are mostly between £1 and £6. If you really want to splash out order the most expensive dish on the menu - A plate of cold meats with mozzarrella. It'll set you back a whopping £11.80.
Polpo will never bring tears to your wallet but our waiter did reveal that their system cannot accept Belgian Visa cards.
Best stick to the mussels and chips then.
Polpo
41, Beak Street
London W1
020 734 4479
http://www.polpo.co.uk
A quick Google of the word produces a plethora of establishments the world over, all describing themselves as a 'Venetian taverna'.
And so it is clearly no coincidence that Canaletto, the most famous painter of Venetian landscapes, once resided at 41, Beak Street - now Polpo, a Venetain style bacaro.
Normally a highly rated busy establishment is one to book well in advance. However, Polpo does not accept reservations for dinner, only lunch. Even London's most feared restaurant assasin, A A Gill, was forced to wait for 15 minutes by the crowded bar, and still awarded Polpo a rare 4 stars.
It's best to go early or late, unless you're happy to hang around the bar. It's also pot luck which table you end up on. A banquette stretches along one wall, dotted with little pokey-outy nodules which are actually the tables you have to juggle your tapas style dishes around. Much better to be lucky (or early) and secure a large stand alone table. Getting in or out requires movement by all around, and don't think about Polpo as the place for an intimate date, unless you don't mind who you're intimate with.
But hey, the food is fantastic and very inexpensive. Almost all plates (for sharing) are mostly between £1 and £6. If you really want to splash out order the most expensive dish on the menu - A plate of cold meats with mozzarrella. It'll set you back a whopping £11.80.
Polpo will never bring tears to your wallet but our waiter did reveal that their system cannot accept Belgian Visa cards.
Best stick to the mussels and chips then.
Polpo
41, Beak Street
London W1
020 734 4479
http://www.polpo.co.uk
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
