Latest reviews for Food & Drink in Soho, London, United Kingdom

Patisserie Valerie - Beautiful cakes by CPaskell

CPaskell — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:54:18 +0000

Review by CPaskell

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7437 3466

Website: http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Tags: hot / cold drinks, seating area / eat in

I think this may be the original Valeries - but it is definitely the best! I agree with some of the more negative reviews of other branches for this cafe, but trying this one on Old Compton Street is a must. The cakes and gateaux range is extensive with the most beautiful and tastey treats imaginable. These are not just cakes - baked on site, they are more masterpieces of confectionary and need to be tried to be believed. A large slice of chocolate gateaux with real strawberries is about Â£4 - but worth it. They have an extensive range of teas (darjeeling, oolong, ceylon etc) and lovely rich roasted coffee. On a busy saturday, this place is a haven as most shoppers and tourists choose the Starbucks/Neros options. They also do lovely breakfasts and lunch snacks and a huge fresh fruit salad. I have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful - but have also seen them being rude to customers who were rude to them first, so I think it helps to be smiley. I have often sat there for over an hour on saturday afternoons reading a book with one pot of tea, a cake and fruit salad and have never been made to feel I should leave or hurry up - so a good refuge.I think this may be the original Valeries - but it is definitely the best! I agree with some of the more negative reviews of other branches for this cafe, but trying this one on Old Compton Street is a must. The cakes and gateaux range is extensive with the most beautiful and tastey treats imaginable. These are not just cakes - baked on site, they are more masterpieces of confectionary and need to be tried to be believed. A large slice of chocolate gateaux with real strawberries is about Â£4 - but worth it. They have an extensive range of teas (darjeeling, oolong, ceylon etc) and lovely rich roasted coffee. On a busy saturday, this place is a haven as most shoppers and tourists choose the Starbucks/Neros options. They also do lovely breakfasts and lunch snacks and a huge fresh fruit salad. I have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful - but have also seen them being rude to customers who were rude to them first, so I think it helps to be smiley. I have often sat there for over an hour on saturday afternoons reading a book with one pot of tea, a cake and fruit salad and have never been made to feel I should leave or hurry up - so a good refuge.

Gerry's Off Licence - Incredible selection by codam

codam — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:04:09 +0000

Review by codam

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 4215

Tags: soho, spirits, booze

This shop, located on Old Compton Street, has ever single drink you could possibly think of! I went in there looking for mead (that popular medieval beverage) of all things, having failed to get it everywhere else I had tried, and not only did they have it, but they even had different varieties, which I found very impressive. On the more conventional drinks front, they have got a vast selection of wines, vodkas, whiskeys, spirits, gins, rums, tequilas, brandys, you name it and they have probably got it! For specialist drinks and a fantastic selection, Gerryâ¬"s wines and spirits is the place in London to go.This shop, located on Old Compton Street, has ever single drink you could possibly think of! I went in there looking for mead (that popular medieval beverage) of all things, having failed to get it everywhere else I had tried, and not only did they have it, but they even had different varieties, which I found very impressive. On the more conventional drinks front, they have got a vast selection of wines, vodkas, whiskeys, spirits, gins, rums, tequilas, brandys, you name it and they have probably got it! For specialist drinks and a fantastic selection, Gerryâ¬"s wines and spirits is the place in London to go.

Fernandez & Wells - Indulgence in Soho by Niamheen

Niamheen — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:01:23 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 1546

Website: http://www.fernandezandwells.com/

Tags: italian, takeaway, expensive

It feels like I am letting you into a little secret, but I am sure Iâ¬"m not, itâ¬"s just that I liked this place so much, I almost want to keep it secret! I popped into Fernandez & Wells in Soho with a friend on Saturday evening. Iâ¬"d wanted to go for a while having seen it many times on treks around Soho. It looks so appealing, with legs of ham in the window, bottles of wine on the counter and lots of cheese behind. Thereâ¬"s blackboards outside and in advertising their wares.

They look like they know what theyâ¬"re doing, although looks can be deceptive - not in this instance. I was there only briefly but enjoyed a charcuterie plate with prosciutto, basque salami and chorizo with a glass of albarino. We were also offered some manchego to taste. It was delicious and well sourced, alot of time and attention had gone into these selections. The meats, served on slate and sliced wafer thin & melt in the mouth, the cheese aged and crumbly and the albarino a gorgeous white, delicious and light. I didnâ¬"t want to leave but we had dinner plans elsewhere, besides they close at 9pm (although that should be moving to 10pm soon).

It was refreshing just to sit there and be nosey, to soak it all in. The staff are really passionate and knowledgable, itâ¬"s a real treat. I will definitely be back to try more, and request their recommendations. I would recommend that you go too!It feels like I am letting you into a little secret, but I am sure Iâ¬"m not, itâ¬"s just that I liked this place so much, I almost want to keep it secret! I popped into Fernandez & Wells in Soho with a friend on Saturday evening. Iâ¬"d wanted to go for a while having seen it many times on treks around Soho. It looks so appealing, with legs of ham in the window, bottles of wine on the counter and lots of cheese behind. Thereâ¬"s blackboards outside and in advertising their wares.

They look like they know what theyâ¬"re doing, although looks can be deceptive - not in this instance. I was there only briefly but enjoyed a charcuterie plate with prosciutto, basque salami and chorizo with a glass of albarino. We were also offered some manchego to taste. It was delicious and well sourced, alot of time and attention had gone into these selections. The meats, served on slate and sliced wafer thin & melt in the mouth, the cheese aged and crumbly and the albarino a gorgeous white, delicious and light. I didnâ¬"t want to leave but we had dinner plans elsewhere, besides they close at 9pm (although that should be moving to 10pm soon).

It was refreshing just to sit there and be nosey, to soak it all in. The staff are really passionate and knowledgable, itâ¬"s a real treat. I will definitely be back to try more, and request their recommendations. I would recommend that you go too!

Algerian Coffee Stores - Coffee treasure trove by Niamheen

Niamheen — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:16:38 +0000

Review by Niamheen

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 2480

Website: http://www.algcoffee.co.uk

Tags: take-away, soho, coffee

Gorgeous coffee shop full of bits and pieces that I don't need but want and buy all the time. Added to the fantastic selection of beans, which you can buy whole or that they will grind for you to take home, you can get very cheap take away coffee (double espresso is less than a pound). Last time I went, I got 250g fresh ground Brazilian coffee and some gorgeous chilli chocolate for just over Â£5. Yum.Gorgeous coffee shop full of bits and pieces that I don't need but want and buy all the time. Added to the fantastic selection of beans, which you can buy whole or that they will grind for you to take home, you can get very cheap take away coffee (double espresso is less than a pound). Last time I went, I got 250g fresh ground Brazilian coffee and some gorgeous chilli chocolate for just over Â£5. Yum.

Le Pain Quotidien - by walid

walid — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:29:28 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7486 6154

Website: http://www.painquotidien.com/

Tags: lively, good value, brasserie

Not to bad, but I personally prefer Paul which is close to Le Pain QuotidienNot to bad, but I personally prefer Paul which is close to Le Pain Quotidien

Oriental Delight - A wide selection, but check expiry dates. by Bluey

Bluey — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:54:46 +0000

Review by Bluey

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7439 1183

Website: http://www.wpatisserie.co.uk

Tags: chinese

I purchased some Koala no March chocolate cookies, and when I got home I noticed that they had expired in late November last year. This was the same with some Pretz, but they expired at the beginning of December.

While these foods are not too badly affected by expiry dates, it's still poor business to put expired products on shelves and allow people to purchase them. There was some other food there that would be potentially dangerous after expiration. I wonder how fresh those products were?

One thing's for sure - I won't be going back.I purchased some Koala no March chocolate cookies, and when I got home I noticed that they had expired in late November last year. This was the same with some Pretz, but they expired at the beginning of December.

While these foods are not too badly affected by expiry dates, it's still poor business to put expired products on shelves and allow people to purchase them. There was some other food there that would be potentially dangerous after expiration. I wonder how fresh those products were?

One thing's for sure - I won't be going back.

Marshmallow Mountain - Marshmallow Mountain by miffy

miffy — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:18 +0000

Review by miffy

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7434 9498

Website: http://www.marshmellowmountain.com/

Tags: second hand, exclusive boutique, helpful staff

A small vintage/ second hand boutique on teh ground floor of carnaby street's kingly court. All the pieces in the shop are hand selected and the staff are as stylish as every item in the shop. Because it's such a small shop, every item is good, great quality, good design and very reminicent of the era they are from. There are plenty of lovely accesorries from matching shoes and bags to necklaces and leather hold alls. The staff are friendly and helpful and clearly have an eye for style. This isn't a cheap shop but it is not an over priced shop. Good particularly for more formal/evening/party vintage wear. A small vintage/ second hand boutique on teh ground floor of carnaby street's kingly court. All the pieces in the shop are hand selected and the staff are as stylish as every item in the shop. Because it's such a small shop, every item is good, great quality, good design and very reminicent of the era they are from. There are plenty of lovely accesorries from matching shoes and bags to necklaces and leather hold alls. The staff are friendly and helpful and clearly have an eye for style. This isn't a cheap shop but it is not an over priced shop. Good particularly for more formal/evening/party vintage wear.

Lina Stores - by BasilKhalil

BasilKhalil — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:20:59 +0000

Review by BasilKhalil

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 6482

Tags: italian, deli, mediterranean

Very friendly owners, wide selection of great authentic Italian food.
Try their home-made pasta. Itâ¬"s the BEST!
Very friendly owners, wide selection of great authentic Italian food.
Try their home-made pasta. Itâ¬"s the BEST!