Food Review – Polpo, Exeter

The Italian food bar has been raised

Exeter’s a great place to go for an Italian meal, you’re spoilt for choice in our wonderful city

If you’ve been to Exeter recently, you can’t have failed to notice all the new eateries in the old Guildhall quarter (off Queen Street). We recently reviewed Comptoir Libanaise which was excellent, so it was interesting to see how Polpo compared.

Crab & chilli linguine, Pizzette – cured pork shoulder & pickled pepper, Classic meatballs

The ethos behind Polpo is that it’s a bácaro type of Venetian restaurant, serving simple food, with the plates being small, but you have the opportunity to have more of a selection, adding to the interest in your meal. It practice it’s a great idea and for me worked really well. I groan at massive portions these days, quality of ingredients is key as well as flavour. Polpo have hit the proverbial nail-on-the-head here, the quality of ingredients, cooking and presentation was superb. Particular mention goes to :- Pizzette which was super leggera, Ravioli al Limone, their Cicheti (Venetian snacks) were delicious, loved the fennel, green bean & almond salad, also the flourless chocolate & almond cake which was beautifully subtle and not oversweetened which very often is the ruin of a good pudding.

Polpo – Coppa, goat curd & pickled walnut crostini Fennel, green bean and almond salad

To finish, great coffee, also worth mentioning the Chianti Classico, all absolutely superb quality and a great dining experience. They receive a well-deserved Dining Experience Gold Award – Editor.

Chocolate salami and Flourless chocolate & almond cake