da Polpo

Tasty enough food but rather poor value for money judging by the rather small portion sizes. When I dish up affogato at home I ensure that I give a decent amount of vanilla icecream with the espresso, not just two teaspoonsful! Please take note.

Because we were off to the theatre and had guests with us we did not like to make a fuss but I've no doubt we all left the restaurant not entirely satisfied in more ways than one.
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Wig
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, March 07, 2012

It's been a few weeks since i came here, so my memory is not entirely fresh, but having been to Russell Norman's 3 other restaurants, and having enjoyed them enormously, i was eager to visit this one. My overall impression was unfortunately poor. Unfortunately this is going to be one of those unhelpful review where i can't give specifics, other than to say I didn't feel the quality of the food was as good as the others, i didn't think the menu was as interesting as the others, I didn't' think the atmosphere was as exciting or congenial as the others, and I won't be going back to this one on that basis.
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Digitalgoldfish - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, October 20, 2011

This branch isn't as trendy as the original Polpo and it's certainly easier to get into at this point in its existence. Food is really tasty with no duds at all. Wasn't too bothered about the notorious wine tumblers at all as the list is suitably unpretentious.

Very much one for settling in with a group of mates or the family and getting through a few bottles. To pose or impress the other half I'd stick with Polpo.

Also it's almost comically cheap for Covent Garden. Happy days :D
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ricky - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Rather disappointed - my lunchtime visit lacked the buzzy atmosphere of Polpetto, and also lacked anything approaching a wine glass. At least at Polpetto they will bring one on request. What an insult to a winemaker to serve a wine in a child's Duralex tumbler. Have they never heard of Mr Reidel and his demonstation of the effect of the glass on the taste of the wine? - stupid question!

Food pretty average and it's not impressive to have totally different 'meat'balls (one was vegetarian) all doused in the same tomato gloop.

Also my Canadian guest was horrified at the "upselling" attempt of the waiter - if we want to pay an exorbitant price for a bit of bread it's us who will decide if we 'need' it.

Sorry, not one for me. In the bin with almost every other Covent Garden restaurant.
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david shamash - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, July 13, 2011

After trying to get a table at the absolutely packed and somewhat claustrophobic sister restaurant Polpo in Beak Street and finding the same at Spuntino, with a waiting list of an hour and a half. My guest and I decided to try third time lucky and head to Covent Garden to Da Palpo.

The restaurant was not full, due to our amazement and relief!

We couldn’t have asked for a better evening, the food is served tapas style, we had some amazing risotto balls with melting cheese inside, a delicious spinach and parmesan pizza, selection of lightly battered seafood and some chili garlic prawns which were cooked to perfection with great flavors.

Overall a huge thumbs up, great atmosphere, very knowledgeable staff

Bill 65.00 for two with dessert, both left rather full!!!!
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simon
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 23, 2011

Tsk - typical bloody chain restaurant. Same old same old. I jest. Popped in here twice in one evening (!) to have a quick nibble and then late-night drinks and dessert. Taking a similar format to their other places, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Relaxed dining, friendly but inobtrusive staff, great menu to graze from at prices varying from about a quid to a tenner. On our first flying visit during their soft opening period we tried two of the meatballs (lamb, spicy pork with fennel). The former was dense and the latter lighter, but both with great flavour - you can't go wrong with fennel and pork. Also got stuck into a tomato salad that hallelujah contained superb tomatoes that you could actually taste as well as some cracking olives.

2nd visit later for dessert and we turned into teenage girls and ate gelato in cones with nutella pizzette. One of the guys also got stuck into a Fernet Branca.

Great atmosphere, and handily sort-of on my way home from work. Which could be dangerous.
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Richard - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, June 10, 2011

We had a quick meal here during the soft opening period. If you've been to Polpo, you'll know the drill. We dined early but I imagine the place would have the same candlelit buzz as the rest of the empire after dark.

Food all good, no surprises. Much of the menu is familiar but there is a heavier emphasis on meatballs and pizzette, which is a good thing. Complimentary focaccia with whipped ricotta was nice enough and provided a much needed dip for the deftly fried arancini and potato and parmesan crochetta. Pizzette are thin and crisp, ranging from the classic Bianca (always delicious) to the new pork shoulder and pickled pepper option. Order cautiously - we didn't need the spaghettini -and- the meatball smash; portions were more than generous and rather filling. We appreciated being given a choice of balls and both dishes were tasty and comforting.

Service, provided by Norman's favoured brand of oh-so-cool Shoreditch types, was fine but tailed off as the place filled up. We would have ordered dessert but after sitting with our half-finished mains in front of us for 20 mins, we gave up and got the bill. Reasonable with the soft opening discount but at full price your bill quickly adds up.

Guaranteed to be busy so it's best to reserve or dine off-peak. In that area, I'm not sure it would tempt me away from Opera Tavern but it's nice to have another option in WC2. Handy for the pre-theatre crowd, obviously.
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-K- - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, June 01, 2011