Many people walk straight past Spuntino, the little American diner from Russell Norman’s Polpo team on Rupert Street. This prohibition style eatery is found in a beautiful yet grungy room, the original tiles on the wall indicate its history… the waitress told us it was once a butcher. There are 27 bar stools and a couple of booths for cosy group dining, we squeezed into the two places nearest the window.

Despite only just turning noon, cocktails seemed like a good idea… the menu of classic drinks were just too tempting. I tried the Spuntino old fashioned, flavoured with a hint of cherry. As we sipped our cocktails and nibbled on spicy popcorn I noticed how many regulars there were coming in and filling up the seats around us. For those in the know, Spuntino is a local favourite.

I’m not sure the menu has changed much since Spuntino opened in 2011. There are a range of decadent American treats, from sliders and sandwiches, salads and sharing plates. We let our waitress choose the best bits, and added on a few extras.

Highlights included: Eggplant chips (soft and gooey inside with a crisp crunchy outer edge and served with fragrant fennel yoghurt), the Classic Hamburger (thick well-seasoned ground beef patty topped with melted cheese and the sweet and spicy house ketchup) and the Spinach and Ricotta and Chickpea slider (the perfect textured vegetarian option with a hint of garlic and spice).

The only real disappointment was the Butternut and rainbow chard salad which was so oily that it was heavy and unpleasant to eat.

For dessert we shared the Brooklyn Toast. It was divine, a kind of caramelised crunchy French toast with homemade Nutella ice-cream sandwiched in between. A nice mix of salty and sweet flavours and a satisfying contrast of textures. Yum.

The Spuntino team recently opened a second site in Bristol. You can find the restaurant inside a converted shipping container at Wapping Wharf, the newest foodie area of town.

More information about Spuntino here.