This June, the world-renowned Venetian osteria, Alle Testiere will journey to London for a residency at Polpetto, for two nights only on 12th and 13th June, Russell Norman will welcome owners Bruno and Luca to Soho.
Set in the heart of Venice between the Rialto and Piazza San Marco, Alle Testiere is a tiny 24 cover local restaurant serving fish sourced from Venice’s lagoon waters, with herbs foraged from the surrounding islands. Listed in the Michelin Guide since 1997, Alle Testiere has long been considered the city’s most renowned osteria, owing to Chef Bruno’s creative take on classic Venetian food.
Transporting diners to the back-streets of Venice, the menu at Polpetto will draw influence from the philosophy of Alle Testiere, where they only serve what can be bought at the Rialto fish market that day. Bringing this approach to Billingsgate, Polpetto’s menu will be crafted around fresh produce available on the day, with a respect for raw ingredients. Dishes will include a starter of spider crab served in its shell with a herb salad; followed by a classic pasta course, such as spaghetti vongole; John Dory will be served with fine herbs, citrus juices and pink peppercorn, a favourite at Alle Testiere; before the finale of a traditional Venetian dessert such as baked cream pudding with pistachio biscuits. Following two nights at Polpetto, Alle Testiere will take up residence at The Groucho Club for two dinners on the 14th and 15th June.
There will be a separate wine list; carefully put together to complement the food, which includes exclusive, home-grown wines sourced from the vineyards that sit on the small island of Sant’Erasmo, in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon.
“I have been eating at Alle Testiere for about 15 years and have been lucky enough to do a little bit of cooking with Bruno in his tiny kitchen. It really is no more than a cupboard with a window, a sink and a stove. Bruno and Luca have managed to capture the culinary spirit of Venice at Alle Testiere and I’m extremely excited to bring that same experience to London. They have a quiet, almost shy passion for product, provenance and authenticity that deserves to be showcased” says Russell Norman.