Polpo Smithfield

Went for lunch on a sunny day.

Food is similar to other Polpo's.Small portions which are a very good way of trying different things without risking disappointment if you have to struggle through something you wish you hadnt ordered.

Given they don't have the ingredients which are available in Italy, Polpo does a pretty good job. The informal setting with tattooed waitresses means this is probably not a place for a more formal experience.And the over familiarity of the waitress(calling you sweetie/honey etc) means you cannot bring your gf here unless you want to spend the rest of the meal and after explaining why the waitress seems to know you so well etc.

Odd that if a male customer addressed the waitress in this way, he would be in big trouble....but it doesnt seem to apply in reverse.

Such is "equality". Wine list is well chosen with plenty below the £30pb.
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C.Elder
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, September 11, 2012

I went there at about 8pm on Saturday, gamely taking an English friend now based in Milan. It was relatively busy but a table was found for us without any trouble and the service was friendly and relaxed. Good atmosphere, loved the distressed brick work and moody lighting, with a very much English/80s influenced sound track.

The menu could be described as "Italian tapas" and we were encouraged to order three plates each, but I must say some dishes arrive as bigger portions than others. My rabbit tonnata salad was generous, as was the spaghetti vongole. Octopus and potato salad perhaps less so, though my seafood-afficionado friend declared the meat delicious and not at all tough or rubbery, which is perhaps the greatest worry with octopus.

We went for two dishes each in the end, washed down with an aperol spritz each, which brought the bill in at under £50. The food receives an enthusiastic thumbs up for authenticity and, while having been disappointed at my first attempt to dine there (Monday night they were offering 50% off food and wine as part of the soft opening - and predictably you couldn't get a foot in the door), I shall certainly be heading back again soon.
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Miss Mocha - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 06, 2012