Al Molo is a family-run Italian restaurant and wine bar at 15 Harbord Square, Canary Wharf.
The intimate venue has 30 seats and takes inspiration from a traditional Italian osteria.
Regional dishes include Rigatoni Amatriciana, Sardinian fregola and Calabrian ‘nduja.
The family-run restaurant and wine bar pairs regional dishes with low-intervention wines on Harbord Square.
Canary Wharf has another spot for pasta, aperitivo and a glass of Italian wine. Al Molo, meaning ‘on the wharf’, is now open on Harbord Square. The family-run restaurant and low-intervention wine bar has just 30 seats, with a neighbourhood feel inspired by the hospitality of a traditional Italian osteria.
Behind the venture is Giuseppe Pollifrone, whose route into hospitality began in academia. The Italian-born former physicist moved to East London in the 1990s to work at Queen Mary University. Alongside his PhD in physics, he earned a wine diploma in Italy, later co-founding Roman Road’s Vinarius in 2012 and opening Symposium in 2016.
The menu reflects the regions that shaped him, alongside lessons learned at his family’s frantoio, a traditional olive oil mill. Local suppliers provide fresh fish, meat and vegetables, while Italian producers supply the cheeses, charcuterie and wines.
Start with Sicilian Nocellara olives or the Tris di Bruschette, featuring tomatoes, Cetara anchovies from the Amalfi Coast and stracciatella. Other aperitivo options include spicy Calabrian ‘nduja with cannellini beans and Fassona beef bresaola. Cheese lovers should look out for Occelli al Castagno, made with cow’s and sheep’s milk and aged in chestnut leaves for a year.
Among the starters, Cozze in Guazzetto brings Puglian mussels together with white wine, tomato and garlic. Pasta dishes include Rigatoni Amatriciana with pork cheek guanciale and pecorino, plus orecchiette with sausage and turnip tops. Sardinia gets a nod through Fregola con Gamberi, served with king prawns and seafood bisque, while a 40-day dry-aged sirloin comes with mixed leaves and pecorino.
The wine list gives small Italian producers a platform, with low-intervention, organic and biodynamic bottles available to enjoy at the bar, alongside a meal or to take home. Speciality coffee rounds out the offering, giving the neighbourhood another reason to stop by. dineoutmagazine.co.uk
Giuseppe Pollifrone said: “Al Molo is my way of bringing a piece of home to London. I was born in Piedmont, raised on the Ionian coast of Calabria and shaped by my years studying in Rome. These three places have defined my relationship with food and wine, and the menu is my personal journey through Italy.”
Where: Al Molo, 15 Harbord Square, Canary Wharf, London. E14 9QH
Contact: https://canarywharf.com