Russell Norman to open sixth site and expand Polpo brand
Russell Norman (pictured) and business partner Richard Beatty have announced plans to develop the Polpo brand, having decided to consolidate three sites under the name.
Their sixth London site will open on Cowcross Street in July and will become the third restaurant in the Polpo brand, following Polpo Soho and Polpo Covent Garden (formerly da Polpo). Polpo Smithfield will offer the same core menu as the Soho and Covent Garden sites, with 70 seats in the main dining area and 20 covers outside. The basement will house a Negroni Bar.
Norman said: "We have always loved the unique character and atmosphere of Clerkenwell and have been looking for the right site for over a year. It is also great to be so close to such an iconic working market as Smithfield."
Libby Greenfield has been appointed head chef, having been sous chef to Florence Knight at Polpetto after a spell at Zucca.
The rebrand of the sites is timed to coincide with the release of Russell Norman's book Polpo - A Venetian Cookbook (Of Sorts) published by Bloomsbury on 5 July.
The company's other five restaurants are:
Polpo Soho (October 2009)
Polpetto (August 2010) - being relocated in September 2012
Spuntino (March 2011)
Polpo Covent Garden (June 2011) - previously known as da Polpo
Mishkin's (November 2011)
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By James Stagg
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