Molly McCann is opening a new restaurant in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle.
Liverpool’s very own UFC flyweight star, known as Meatball Molly, is set to open Polpetta next month alongside her best friend and creator of The Macro Kitchen, Joel McCarthy. The Italian-inspired kitchen and deli will open at the Baltic Market next month.
Polpetta will join current traders including Hafla Hafla, Press Bros, Midnight Delivery, The Little Furnace, La Bistroteca, Spice Thai and more. Polpetta, which means meatball in Italian, will offer an array of dishes such as Italian subs, pasta and sides.
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From the age of 18 to 22, Molly ran the second busiest subway in the UK - which is where she gained her nickname Meatball. Having wanted to collaborate on a concept for a number of years, Molly, 33, from Norris Green and Joel, 32, from Penny Lane, said they set their hearts on launching Polpetta after a few Guinnesses.
Joel has been running his own business, The Macro Chef, for the last few years. With Italian cuisine being their favourite type of food, both Molly and Joel said they love how it brings people together and creates a community feel, reminding them of Liverpool.
Polpetta will serve up subs including the ‘must-have’ Meatball Sub with beef and sausage meatballs, sugo, provolone, pecorino and basil, as well as the Deli Meat Sandwich with whipped nduja ricotta, fennel salami, bresaola, honey vinaigrette and seasonal salad leaves. There’s also the Heavyweight Sandwich packed with Italian beef, braised beef, beef fat mayo, roasted peppers, pickled onion and bone marrow jus.
For vegetarians you’ll find the Aubergine Fritter; marinated fried aubergine, sun-dried tomato mayo, fontina and salsa verde. The menu will also feature pasta dishes such as the Spaghetti Polpetta with 36-month parmesan and gremolata and the Fettuccine Alfredo with truffle pecorino and pangrattato.
Sides include courgettes fries with parmesan, roast garlic aioli and lemon, house-made crisps and olives. Polpetta will also have weekly specials with a variety of inspired dishes.
On launching Polpetta for the first time, Molly and Joel said: “After years of wanting to bring our concept to life, it feels amazing to be launching Polpetta at Baltic Market next month. The market is the perfect place to launch our start-up, giving us a platform to showcase our Italian-inspired dishes to the people of Liverpool and beyond who regularly visit the venue.
“We’ve carefully created the menu at Polpetta to give our guests a true taste of Italy with big, bold flavours. We’re preparing to open at the Baltic Market just like we’re training for a fight… The training is over and we’re ready for the weigh-in and to smash it from Wednesday, July 5 onwards”
Oliver Press, co-founder of Baltic Market, added: “We can’t wait to welcome Liverpool’s newest and exciting food start-up Polpetta. The passion from Molly and Joel is inspiring and I can’t wait to bring that high tempo energy from the Octagon to the Baltic Triangle.
“I also grew up with Joel so it’s a lovely full circle moment to be able to link up with him later on in life and welcome their new concept to the market.”
Tim Haggis, co-founder of Baltic Market, said: “We’re absolutely buzzing to have Molly and Joel at the market. They’re going to be taking Italian inspired subs and pasta to the next level.
“Being a lifelong UFC fan makes it even sweeter as I’ve seen Molly perform live many times and deliver those knockout blows so it almost doesn't seem real that she’ll be coming to the market to deliver some here.”
Polpetta will open at the Baltic Market on Wednesday, July 5.
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