First solo restaurant for ex-Polpo chef Tom Oldroyd

28 April 2015 by
First solo restaurant for ex-Polpo chef Tom Oldroyd

The former chef director of Russell Norman's Polpo, Tom Oldroyd, is to open his first solo restaurant, in London's Islington, this June.

Named Oldroyd, the 40-cover site will be split across two floors, with a no-reservations café downstairs and bistro-style dining room available for bookings upstairs.

The all-day menu will focus on locally-sourced, seasonal British produce, but will also be influenced by Oldroyd's previous restaurant experience and travels across Europe and the United States.

Typical dishes, priced between £4 and £10, will consist of small plates such as confit mustard duck wings and pea and pork jowl croquettes, with truffle mayonnaise. Larger plates will be along the lines of Cornish chorizo, prawn & broad bean paella, with cockles and aioli; plus salads such as grilled peach, Dorset coppa & perroche; and sandwiches such as a porchetta roll with stuffing, crackling & pickled fennel.

The site will also serve brunch and "hangover cures" at the weekend, such as bacon and egg pappardelle, or waffle iron rosti with smoked salmon, sour cream and chives. Accompanying drinks will include cocktails such as Bloody Mary, and a cold pressed juice list.

Commenting on the plans, Oldroyd said: "I am excited to announce that I've secured a small, but perfect, space in one of my favourite parts of London…The menu at Oldroyd will offer my take on classic European dishes, made using fresh quality ingredients and served all day."

He added: "I really hope that Oldroyd will become an integral part of the Islington dining scene, offering relaxed service and delicious food to locals and visitors alike."

Originally from Guildford in Surrey, Oldroyd opened the first Polpo after being approached by Russell Norman and Richard Beatty. He introduced the small plates concept for which the group became known, after a career that also included top jobs at Alistair Little on Frith Street, and Bocca di Lupo, also in Soho, after seven years working in front-of-house roles.

Staying without the Russell Norman group he then helped to open seven further sites, including Spuntino, Mishkin's, Polpo Covent Garden, the Ape & Bird and most recently Polpo Notting Hill.

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