Breaking News: Polpo Smithfield

Downstairs at Polpo Soho

By Claire Coleman

The lovely Florence Knight told us at London's 30 Under 30 bash that Polpetto was leaving its diminutive home above The French House to seek a larger, as yet unconfirmed space, in Soho. But Bloomberg's Richard Vines is reporting on his Twitter feed that plans for a Polpo outpost OUTSIDE Soho are also afoot.

He says that Polpo Smithfield will open in July at 2-3 Cowcross Street with space for 70 in the main dining room and another 20 outside, plus a basement Negroni Bar. In the kitchen, heading things up will be Libby Greenfield, formerly of Zucca and Polpetto. The plan is for a core Polpo menu plus an express lunch option and daily specials too.

And, at the same time, the other two restaurants will be rebranded with Polpo to become Polpo Soho, and Da Polpo becoming Polpo Covent Garden. Wowzers. If that wasn't enough, July also sees the launch of Russell Norman's long-awaited cookbook, Polpo: A Venetian Cookbook (of Sorts). Never let it be said those guys rest on their laurels.