Spuntino has landed. Smack bang in the naughty part of Soho, amid the peep shows and porn shops, this is the latest offering from Russell Norman and Co, the brains behind Polpo & Polpetto, both of which have taken London by storm.
I hadn’t anticipated going so early, certainly not on the first day, but I was walking past yesterday and spied a seat so I nabbed it. You’ve just got to, no? As a result, you will have to forgive the photos as I didn’t have my camera, and they are taken with my horrible little phone, s,oto compensate I have gone a little AWRTY. Yawh.
There is lots to love about Spuntino. A large counter dominates the room with one table at the back and a long small shelf down the side allowing those in the queue to munch and imbibe. Original tiling crumbles on the wall, and it has a cosy and almost industrial feel. It has a great energy, even when not particularly busy.
The service is very good, the menu is quirky and interesting, and very well priced too. Good drinks, I loved the Nero D’Avola served in 250ml carafes. The cocktails are very good, not overly sweet. Do try the terrific Jerry Thomas Manhattan. Shots of Dewars are a crazy £2 too.
Food is the small plates you would expect. Once seated you get an enamel cup of popcorn, a fun touch. I loved the beef and bone marrow slider, tiny moist and intense, it tastes of only MORE. Soft shell crab with tabasco aioli was a treat although more tabasco for me please, or on the side at least. Truffled egg on toast was sensational, with a hole scooped and with the egg inside, the egg white is actually Fontina cheese. Swoon. Egg with soldiers is like a scotch egg without the meat, I spied it across the table and will order next time I go.
The calamari with chicpeas and ink were gloopy and delicious with tight firm chickpeas. There are farmhouse cheddar grits, an extremely comforting soupy polenta style American dish which I have never seen on a menu here before. Other dishes which didn’t leave as much of an impression were eggplant chips with fennel yogurt which although very nice, were not a show stopper, and beets with salted ricotta and rocket was a pleasant side and a good counter to the slider and crab.
Desserts are fun. An ice cream peanut butter and jelly sandwich was terrific and the sashimi like pineapple with licorice ice cream looked great too.
I loved it, I want to go back, and I will often. I just hope that I will be able to cope with the inevitable queue. I had lots to eat, and plenty of wine too, and my bill was identical to what I spent at Nopi without alcohol. No contest, I know where I will choose, unless Nopi reduce their prices and make it more accessible. Please please do!
Spuntino, 61 Rupert St
http://www.spuntino.co.uk/
The crap looks awesome! May swing by tomorrow…….. in London for the day! yey! xx
I’m a big fan of cheddar grits, frequently knock them up for a weekend breakfast, but, like you, I’ve not seen them on a menu over here before.
I have a big bag of grits at home right now. Love them! :)
crab!!! gosh!!! sorry!!!! BLUSH…..
LOL! Actually very New Yoik of you which works really well :)
Looks great!
A recipe for grits will be in my book and was on my Elvis menu!
A-ha! I hve a recipe too from my recent trip to Florida :) Blogging it soon although it’s not in my book.
ha ha love ‘the crap looks awesome’ – amazing typo, Cooking Fairy.
Also loving your AWRTY black and white pic Niamh. Looks v.buzzy and fun, can’t wait to visit. x
Ooh. What fun. That ice cream peanut butter and jelly sandwich is sounding dangerously good.
Went last night – had the peanut butter and jelly sandwich on your recomendation. Dang!
I am new to this blogging game. But it’s fun – especially when the food is as good as it was at Spuntino.
Andrew
This sounds AMAZING! Love the thought of cheese as an egg white. Going as soon as money permits!!
I love that they don’t have a phone number. So deliciously rebellious!
I’m off there tonight, can’t wait! Looking forward to being educated about the grits :-)
Great post! Went last night and we got a free dish of the eggplant=) wasn’t too impressed with the truffle egg toast though..prices are great! 5 pounds for a negroni! Loved the johnny cash playing in the background…!
loved the eggplant fries and the pickles…. my soft shell crab was a bit gooey in the middle which put me off :-( thought the vibe was excellent!
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Missed news of this opening entirely, I’ve sort of gone missing a bit from Twitter etc lately. Lovely photos Niamh, and a great review. Loved Polpo and Polpetto so will have to check it out.
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