James Nelson-Joyce, star of the BBC drama This City Is Ours, has named Polpetta, a deli in Liverpool's Baltic Market, as his go-to spot for food before a night out. The 37-year-old actor, who is rumoured to be in contention to play the next James Bond, made the revelation during an appearance on Josh Smith's Great Chat Show.
The award-winning crime drama, written by Liverpool-born Stephen Butchard, follows the fictional Phelan crime family and is filmed in Liverpool and Spain. Nelson-Joyce reprises his role as Michael Kavanagh as the show returns for a second series this weekend.
Favourite Spots in Liverpool
When a fan from Brighton asked where he would take her for a big night out in Liverpool, Nelson-Joyce said: “So first of all, let’s go to Polpetta for some food, some lovely sandwiches in the Baltic.”
He continued: “Then after you’ve lined your stomach we’ll go to Pogues (Pogue Mahone bar), have a couple of Guinnesses in there. And then we might go over the road to the karaoke bar, get a little booth, do the karaoke there, and then probably end up in Gloria’s. It is like this disco nightclub, it’s really good in there. Pogues is the best.”
Polpetta's Story
Polpetta opened in 2023 and is the brainchild of former UFC star turned boxer Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann and her close friend Joel McCarthy. The authentic Italian stall offers classics like spaghetti and meatballs (spaghetti polpetta) and fettuccine alfredo, alongside street food variants such as courgette fries and homemade crisps.
After the opening, which saw a queue of foodies stretching down the street, Molly told the Echo: "Ten years ago, I was working in the Subway on Bromley Street and it's where I got my name. Looking at this now, I'm just completely blown away by the city showing up for me."
A Cult Dish
Polpetta's Instagram page has 27,400 followers. A video posted there this week showed Molly trying the Pollo Al Forno, and she joked: “I’m never going to make weight again.” She described it as a “cult dish” in the city and her favourite, noting it is served in a creamy cheese-based sauce that is also popular with children.
This City Is Ours returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for series two on October 25.
