London restaurants set for summer makeovers

This summer sees a string of expansions among several of London’s top restaurants. Le Café Anglais, L’Anima and Chez Bruce all close during August for extension work, while the same month also heralds the arrival of Polpetto, a sister site for Venetian bacaro Polpo.

Polpetto is due to open on 23 August above the French House pub on Dean Street. The 28-seat restaurant will serve a similar Italian menu to Polpo, from cuttlefish and pizzetta bianca to new dishes including Venetian-style soft shelled crab in parmesan batter and pigeon saltimbocca.

Polpo owners Russell Norman, former operations director at Caprice Holdings, and Richard Beatty have also announced plans for a third Soho restaurant, Spuntino, which is now due to open in October after a slight delay.

Meanwhile chef-patron Rowley Leigh will close his Bayswater restaurant Le Café Anglais for two weeks during August to install a 50-seat oyster bar and café extension.

Open from noon til 10pm seven days a week, the venture aims to add a more informal all-day dining option to the main restaurant, which opened in 2007.

Oyster fans can look forward to a selection of Galway rock, Archachon fines claires and Colchester oysters, as well as a wider selection of seafood, sandwiches, steak frites and salads.

As reported previously by the drinks business, Chez Bruce shut its doors this week while building work is carried out to knock through into the former post office next door. The enlarged restaurant is due to reopen at the end of August.

Finally, City restaurant L’Anima will close on 31 July for the whole of August to carry out a major extension project. The Italian restaurant will increase its capacity in the bar and restaurant by 40%, unveiling the result of its makeover in the first week of September.

Gabriel Savage, 20.07.2010