Harden's says
Opened in September 2021, the new project from Russell Norman, who left the Polpo group last year. Thanks to The Sunday Times critic Marina O'Loughlin for spotting the new Instagram name and truffling this one out. Norman confirmed the project and says that the trattoria "has a Tuscan accent" and that the food comes from the heart of Italy "where flavour is more important than favour".
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Very cool… very Tuscan… great negronis… it’s like going on a mini-break!” – Russell Norman’s “dark and sexily down-to-earth” newcomer is “a fun riff on a Florentine trattoria theme (steak Florentine stars on the menu) from the founder of the late-lamented Polpo, and a very worthwhile addition to the Smithfield area”. He’s achieved “a superb homage” – it’s “skilfully run with its own distinct personality”, staff are “charming” and if it’s “true that it’s noisy, it’s good noise: the sound of people enjoying themselves!”. Practically nobody has a bad word to say about the “delightfully non-standard Italian food” either: “rustic dishes that are generally simple and well-executed”. “I rarely return this many times, in such a short space of time, but this place has it all!” Top Menu Tip – “anchovy with sourdough is the perfect simple starter”.
Summary
On the Smithfield site that was most recently Mark Hix’s Chophouse (RIP) – and which has a recent history of meaty destinations – ex-Polpo supremo, Russell Norman continues in a somewhat similar vein with the launch of this modern Italian venture in September 2021. The Tuscan cuisine will make a feature of Bistecca alla Fiorentina alongside many homemade pasta dishes and is inspired by the simple, neighbourhood restaurants of Florence. Russell even purchased a 1980s electric typewriter of the same make as one of the restaurants he visited in Italy for maximum authenticity when it came to the feel of the menu.
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Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 12.50% |
35-37 Greenhill Rents, London, EC1M 6BN
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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