Reviews by soholoftier

Steve Hatt (Fishmongers)
12 February 2008

Simply the best fishmonger in London.

Allens Butchers (Butcher)
12 February 2008

The very thought of Allens makes me salivate. Perfect beef and game and wonderful pies and sausages. Yes, the meat is more expensive than your standard supermarket fare, but as a 'normal' consumer I find I would rather eat less meat and buy from a skilled butcher who provides excellent produce of sound providence. Unbeatable.

Pâtisserie Valérie (Cafe)
12 February 2008

On the plus side, Pat Val's Old Compton venue is perfectly located for West End meeting point. Enjoy the Valerie's hot chocolate and watch the world go by. The cafe bustles and the downstairs level is always heaving, making you feel delightfully plugged into the heart of the city.

On the downside, don't put too much faith in the cakes. Gone are the days when PV offered a slice of French patisserie expertise... to be honest I wouldn't be much surprised if they shared suppliers with Paul's or any of the other chains. Staff can be amazingly lax and more than once I have seen bemused tourists sit for over half an hour without being served. You go here for atmosphere not culinary nirvana. Wonder at the window display but don't gamble on much more than the mini florentines.

I. Camisa (Delicatessen)
12 February 2008

Sausage-eater heaven. Cram yourself into this tiny Mecca of Italian deli delights and you'll never buy the breadcrumbed, packed, reclaimed nonsense from the supermarkets again.

Lina Stores (Delicatessen)
12 February 2008

One of the (many) great joys of living in Soho is having Lina Stores on my doorstep. Beautiful meats and cheese and absolutely the best place for all your dried Italian basics.