My guest today is Russell Norman.
Known as The Restaurant Man, Russell Norman is a writer, broadcaster and the award-winning founder behind two celebrated restaurant groups: first Polpo and now Brutto. Over more than two decades he has become a defining figure in London’s dining scene.
Described by some as “London’s coolest restaurateur,” Russell built his career from the ground up—starting as a bartender and progressing through roles as waiter, maître d’, general manager and operations director at Caprice Holdings before opening his first venue, Polpo. His hands-on experience across every front-of-house role shaped the practical, passionate approach he brings to hospitality.
Russell has a reputation for setting trends rather than following them. He played a major part in popularising small plates and sharing dishes in London, steering the city away from overly formal fine dining toward a more relaxed, social style of eating. He also pioneered a strict no-reservations policy at his venues, a bold move that many other restaurants later adopted.
On the realities of restaurant life, Russell is candid. “A lot of people fantasise about opening their own restaurant, thinking it is going to be a bit like a dinner party but with a till, but it’s a fallacy,” he has said. The day-to-day truth, he explains, involves long hours and hard work—often 18-hour days—that can leave people exhausted. Yet despite the demands, Russell compares the energy of running a successful restaurant to “someone’s plugged into the mains,” highlighting the thrill and vitality that keep him engaged.
In this episode we discuss Russell’s career, his approach to hospitality and the principles that shaped Polpo and Brutto. We also touch on his latest work: Russell’s book Brutto, which captures the spirit and recipes of his current project.
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