As we salute goodbye to Biblos on the Hill, off to sunnier climes at the new Wapping Wharf development we welcome in its place Bomboloni.
Well respected and universally loved chef Andrew Griffin and equally talented daughter Molly of Tart, Prego and Stock Exchange Bakery fame to name a few have finally been given the opportunity to open their own restaurant on the vibrant Gloucester Road.
Whilst Biblos was great for nipping in for a quick bite, it never made me want to stay and savour my surroundings, Andrew, Molly and the entire Griffin family have worked incredibly hard to make the dining room as relaxed and comfortable as their own living room. The walls are painted a beautiful deep grey/blue colour and are adorned with pictures and photographs that could keep one busy for a long time having a nose at.
The bar is tucked away on the right-hand side whilst the open kitchen takes pride of place at the back. The tired decking and awning has been whisked away and polished up for prime people spotting opportunities at lunch or during dinner on warm summer evenings.
We were welcomed warmly at the preview night and stuffed full with the restaurant’s namesake bomboloni doughnuts (incredibly light and moreish!), arancini, mackerel pate on toast, bruschetta and some of the best polenta chips I’ve ever tried, chunky, crisp and not at all like the sad, grainy polenta I’ve had elsewhere.
When they open officially on the 13th you can look forward to a lunch menu offering dishes under £8 including meatballs with linguine & parmesan, grilled vegetables & buffalo mozzarella panini and a pizzetta menu.
For dinner the menu expands to include starters, mains such as pesto & straccio gnocchi with brown butter, asparagus & salted ricotta, grilled prawns with chilli, garlic & tomato and a great looking pizza menu. All mains come in under £12 too.
Opening hours are 9am – 10pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon – 4pm for Sunday lunch.
Find Bomboloni here and on Twitter here
Bedsit Bonne Vivante 