Category: Bistro 
Da Polpo in Covent Garden is the newest addition to the Polpo,Polpetto and Spuntino family of small/sharing plate eateries founded by the restaurateur Russell Norman. The concept is ingenious and has taken London by storm. No booking,bustling atmosphere,well prized small dishes to share and a different theme to each of the restaurants. While Spuntino serves fun and delicious American food,Polpo and Polpetto specialize on Venetian dishes. While there is overlap between the menus,Da Polpo has a clear focus on meatballs. I mean a restaurant for meatballs? How cool is this?
While I enjoyed the food,it was not a culinary epiphany. What makes da Polpo special and certainly will make me return,is the atmosphere. You wouldn’t go there for a romantic date but I don’t think there is a better place to catch up with your girlfriends while sisterly sharing the plates as they arrive one after the other and getting comfortably tipsy on aperol spritz,cocktails or the cheap but very decent house wine.
Not everything went absolutely smoothly at da Polpo on my visit,but considering that it has just opened these things are easy to forgive and will probably iron out over time.
For example I don’t like being served French baguette and having it presented as ‘focaccia’. But well,it was free and I really enjoyed the creamy ricotta dip it came with.
We tried 2 dishes of the ‘Cicheti‘(small dishes) section. I thought the Arancini (2.5),fried rice balls,were excellent,fluffy and light with the aromatic flavour of thyme. The other cicheto we tried was a joke actually,one little piece of fennel with a tiny sardine for 2 pounds seemed really bad value for money,especially considering that it didn’t convince tastewise either.
Arancini (2.5)
Grilled Fennel and White Anchovy (2)
The there came the meatballs. I have to admit I am not terribly keen on meatballs in general,but the da Polpo ones were very good. The Lamb and Mint Meatballs (5) were excellent while the Chickpea,Spinach and Ricotta (4.5) ones were drowned in so much tomato sauce that I have no idea how they actually tasted. I would have preferred them with a lighter sauce,maybe just with some butter or olive oil and some parmesan.
Superb was the Zucchini,Chili and Mint Pizzetta (6). The thin,light and crusty base was covered by thin slices of zucchini and generously sprinkled with olive oil,mint and loads of fresh chili. The hot not the decorative sort. I would go back for this dish alone. The Chili and Garlic Prawns (6.5) which we ordered as da Polpo had run out of the highly praised fritto misto were totally indistinct and forgettable.
Lamb and Mint (5) and Chickpea,Spinach and Ricotto (4.5) Meatballs
Zucchini,Chili and Mint Pizzetta (6)
Garlic and Chili Prawns (6.5)
The dessert menu didn’t read terribly exciting but there was one dish that just screamed ‘Try me,Try me’and this was the Nutella Pizzetta (5.5). Nutella is one of my all time guilty pleasure and just please never leave me alone with a full jar of it! The base was the same as for the savoury pizzette and the slightly salty taste went heavenly with the sweet and chocolaty nutella. Finished off with some hazelnuts on top this was a very moreish dessert indeed. Disappointing was the other dessert we tried. The tiramisu (4.5) was just bland.
Most people whose da Polpo reviews or comment I read complaint about the loud music and so did my dinner companions. I loved it though and for me the music certainly contributed to how much I enjoyed my evening there. But of course not everyone might be equally pleased with e.g. a rarely played David Bowie song…
Overall I preferred the food at Spuntino,it was certainly more ‘special’,but da Polpo is the place you want to spend a whole evening at. Ordering and eating and drinking and ordering more until you leave,happy and drunk.
- Food:6.5/10
- Ambiance:9/10
- Service: 7/10
- Value for money: 7/10
- Chances of returning:50%
- Verdict: If you want a relaxed and relaxing dinner spot serving very decent food look no further!
so this is where we are going next…
I agree with you,I loved the atmosphere and I think it serves up a whole package as Spuntino does (not tried the other two) rather than focusing so much on just wowwy dishes.
Funnily enough your two favourite dishes;the sweet and savoury pizzettes are both dishes that I’ve had and loved at Spuntino.
I felt the same;enjoyed Spuntino more,food impressed me more,I was happier paying there. I didn’t eat the fennel and anchovy dish but my god it looks measly! Nice review.
I couldn’t agree more. da Polpo is a package rather than a restaurant. On my second visit I was underwhelmed slightly by the menu as I seemed to have ordered the more exciting ones during my first trip. That said,it’s comfort food fairly priced and I don’t mind returning (but not too often). The dining rooms are also not as cramped as at Polpo and Polpetto.
@Hanna –if they queue is too long at Spuntino,da Polpo is the way to go. Shame actually that they are so far apart.
@Skinny Bib –I think if you don’t expect too much,da Polpo is great for a night out. Particularly if you know what to avoid…
Ooh,were we in Da Polpo on the same day? I’m with you,I also prefer Spuntino over Da Polpo.
Let me know the next time you’re in town!
@ I went last week,am in London only rarely at the moment…Free for brunch/light lunch on Sat?
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