Here’s the second in our series of grilled interviews. We asked the inspiring, fascinating and slightly mysterious Russell, co-founder of Spuntino, Polpo, and Mishkin’s our questions.

Read our review of Spuntino here and all about EnoClub at Polpo Covent Garden here.

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If money was no object, what kind of restaurant would you open and where?
I have no grand ambitions and respond better to tiny budgets than to “open cheque books”. I would much prefer to continue opening small places using recycled materials, second-hand furniture and comfort recipes.

If you had to eat the same meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Caprese salad and good bread.

What do you keep on your bedside table?
A litre of water.

When is the last time you had a McDonalds?
I do have the very occasional urge for a sausage & egg McMuffin. Sorry.

What is your career Plan B?
Beach bum.

Is there anything on the menus at Polpo & co that you ever cook at home?
All the risottos, all the pizzas, all the salads. and I never get tired of them.

Is there any food that you can’t stand?
I really can’t stand andouille sausage. and I hate snails. and foie gras is vastly overrated.

Do you have any reoccurring dreams?
Just the usual one where I’m being attacked and eaten by wolves or dogs. doesn’t everyone have that one?

Who would be your ideal dinner date?
If my wife wasn’t available, I would settle for Aldous Huxley.

What is the one object you can’t do without?
Wristwatch.

Polpo, Spuntino, Mishkin’s