The Polpo Cicheti Bar is planned to open on 8th February 2011 and will be located on the lower ground floor at Polpo.
The Polpo Cicheti Bar will be a place for a pre/post-dinner drink or a light cicheti snack accompanied by an ‘ombra’, in the true Venetian style. Although a lower ground floor in Venice would be a bit damp.
Design features include a rustic, zinc-topped bar with standing room only, exposed brick work walls, reclaimed wooden communal tables and ceramic light fittings.
Tramezzini and cicheti from Head Chef Tom Oldroyd will be displayed in a glass cabinet at the bar, as you might find in the traditional Venetian bacari. These will include artichokes with prosciutto, chilli marinated baby octopus and mortadella wrap with gorgonzola and walnuts.
The Polpo Cicheti Bar will serve classic cocktails, including Polpo’s signature Venetian Spritz. The wine list will be reflective of Northern Italy, as in the main Polpo dining room, featuring wine from small producers such as Monte del Fra Bianco Di Custoza 2009 from Veneto.
Co-owner Russell Norman says: ‘Opening a cicheti bar underneath the main dining room allows us to get back to the inspiration behind Polpo: quick snacks and small glasses of wine in an informal setting. You just point and eat!”
Open in the evening only, Monday to Saturday, from 5.30pm onwards, the Polpo Cicheti Bar will not take reservations.
Located on Beak Street in Soho, Polpo opened on 30th September 2009 and is London’s first Venetian bacaro. The restaurant is owned by Russell Norman and Richard Beatty.
POLPO
41 Beak Street
London W1F 9SB
www.polpo.co.uk
020 7734 4479