(Please ignore first version – had not checked grammar / spelling etc!!)

I love Russell Norman – he is the Keith McNally of London town. From the moment I first stepped in to Polpo, Russell's first gaff on Beak Street that opened last autumn 2009, I knew this man was on to something clever. I want to make it clear that I went to Polpetto on one of the preview nights so I did recieve 50% off the food bill but either way the experience was worth it.

I am not going to lie, I had never really heard of The French House on Dean Street. I have probably walked past it hundreds of times after being to Dean Street Townhouse but perched on the first floor is Polpetto.To be fair, you cant miss the sign hanging above the door – a striking picture of an octupus which of course is what Polpetto translates in to from Italian.

Up a narrow wooden staircase and the setting couldnt be more different from what you just left on Dean Street. Think Pulino's meets Polpo and as Russell says ‘ a jewel box version’, only seating 24 people, I believe. It was nice to see a friendly face from Polpo in the name of Ashleigh, who is now manager of Polpetto. The rest of the crew where typical Polpo – nice, friendly people with no attitude…so refereshing.

The menu has some Polpo favourites with some new exciting dishes. The panzanella salad, a classic Tuscan peasant dish, is full of flavour and would be a definite choice on a warm summers day. The chilli and garlic prawns were epic as was the soft shell battered crab. Unlike Polpo, Polpetto is slightly more refined in the way that the food is served. Although still focusing on the bacaro stlye they bring out the starters first, then fish dishes, then meat dishes.

The pigeon was another classic dish. Not too gamey which this bird can be but just right. The osso boccu was delicious and I think could be eaten as a main for one person as it was served with some lovely sticky white rice. However, the ham hock terrine is the dish that I still crave. And… More