The London restaurant world this week mourned the passing of Russell Norman, creator of Polpo, Spuntino and Trattoria Brutto, who has died suddenly at the age of 57. Born and brought up in London’s northwestern outskirts, Russell was a host of legendary charm host who cut his teeth in the trade as a barman-turned-restaurant manager […]

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Hard-up London pastry fans are in for a treat in the next few days, as two businesses are handing out free samples in a burst of early-summer generosity. First, the Dominique Ansel Bakery in Victoria will celebrate the fourth anniversary of the invention of the “cronut” – a cross between the croissant and the doughnut […]

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A clutch of London’s most successful restaurant chains are heading up the M40 to open new outlets in Oxford’s Westgate shopping and leisure complex, which reopens after a £440million redevelopment later this year. Polpo (pictured), Russell Norman’s tribute to the Venetian small-plates bacaro, heads the list alongside Sticks & Sushi, Pho, Shoryu ramen, Comptoir Libanais, Pizza […]

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Ex-Spuntino head chef Rachel O’Sullivan has opened a deli, Pinch Pantry, off Dalston Lane (just round the corner from Steve Parle’s new Rotorino). The former Polpo Group chef is working with Venus McMahon (formerly of local dine ’n’ wine spot, L’Entrepot).     To keep up to date with all the latest London goings-on and news […]

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