This spring will see the opening of Spuntino in the Bristol Cargo 2 shipping container development in Wapping Wharf, and will be the second instalment of Russell Norman and Richard Beatty’s award-winning Soho eatery.
Spuntino, meaning “snack” in Italian, will deliver small plates of Italian-influenced New York comfort food. Highlights from the menu will include the Marla Singer Burger (named after everyone’s favourite unhinged and chaotic character from Fight Club); Spuntino’s signature Truffle Egg Toast; Lobster Mac n Cheese; Bismarck Pancake with Fried Buttermilk Chicken and Maple Syrup; and snacks such as Sesame Eggplant Chips with Fennel Yogurt; and Home Made Pickles. Desserts feature Spuntino’s renowned Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich, as well as Candied French Toast with Nutella Semifreddo.
Cocktails will range from classics such as the Old Fashioned and Jerry Thomas Manhattan, to glorious revivals like the Sazerac, served in chilled silver Garrard goblets.
The interior design of the original restaurant in Soho has been universally praised (and much copied) for its gritty, urban evocation of early 20th century alehouses. Though Spuntino Bristol will take a slight departure from this familiar design, with an interior evocative of roadside diners of 1950s America, albeit in a charming and elegantly faded way. The space will seat 27 people, exactly the same number as the Soho original, with the addition of an elevated outside terrace with panoramic views of the harbour, which will be home to a barbecue in the summer months.
Co-owner, Russell Norman says, “Wapping Wharf is just fantastic, isn’t it? So vibrant and exciting. It’s imaginative, intelligent urban regeneration with a completely sympathetic connection to the traditions and history of its location. It’s also beautiful. We feel very fortunate to be part of the Cargo development and even though it has taken us 6 years to find the right location for our second Spuntino, we are so happy that it’s going to be here in Bristol.”