Tag Archives: soho

Best coffee in Soho

Posted on by

As a blogger on the go and a coffee fanatic, I am always on the lookout for the best independent coffee houses. Internet and plug sockets are certainly a bonus, but if the coffee is good enough, I’m willing to sit in a cramped corner to enjoy a good blend and brew. Soho is forever introducing new and quirkier cafes, as the city’s centre for good food and drink, I thought it was about time I compiled a list of my top Soho coffee hang-outs.

1. Nude Espresso, Soho Square: Cute and cool, many believe Nude Espresso offers the best coffee in Soho. I was impressed by the silky smooth flat white and the indulgent hot chocolate.

2. Rapha Cycle Club, Brewer Street: For coffee and cycle lovers alike… careful and precise baristas make unrivalled espressos and in the shop trendy cycling gear hangs ready for the more athletic foodies to admire! Huge and light venue ideal for relaxing and reading a book.

3. Tapped and Packed, Wardour Street: My favourite place to write and think… a hazily lit, lazy lounge with low hung lights and wooden benches. Plenty of space to stretch your legs, open your laptop and wile away the afternoon browsing the net. T&P offer a wide range of coffees, so there is variety for picky customers.

4. Flat White, Berwick Street: Another tiny venue and a real coffee destination. If you can bear a crowd, the delicious coffee here really is worth fighting for. Serving a very moreish Square Mile blend.

5. Speakeasy, Lowndes Court: Hidden away behind Carnaby Street, Speakeasy is a fun venue. Great coffee, cool crowd, shame about the lack of plug sockets and internet access (bloggers beware this is not the ideal writing venue). Groovy neon artwork on the walls by Benjamin Jamie.

6. Foxcroft and Ginger, Berwick Street: Filled with arty types F&G serve flavoursome food and good coffee. I love the mismatched chairs and eclectic decor. The welcoming chatter and friendly staff make this cafe a great place to spend time alone or with friends.

7. Milk Bar: This place is hip and happening and has a following of loyal fans. Like its sister branch Flat White, Milk Bar offers a balanced blend of Square Mile coffee. The interior is cosy and familiar, a lovely place to gossip with friends.

Other great coffee houses nearby: New Row Coffee and Kaffeine.

Chris Bracey’s Circus of Neon: God’s Own Junkyard, Soho

Posted on by

Chris Bracey is known as the Neon King for good reason. His neon works have appeared behind some of the greatest stars, and his fluorescent masterpieces have been made for numerous prominent patrons. With a cult following in London and LA, his work with light continues to shine from Soho across the World.

Bracey learnt the trade from his father who was a neon signmaker for fairgrounds, circuses and amusement arcades. In the 1950s, at a time of post war gloom and doom the light of neon was more inspiring than ever. Years on and his prolific work has played a significant role in transforming and reinventing the Soho aesthetic. His big break came when a Soho club owner allowed him to make a sign for the venue, at cost price, with the condition that Bracey could design it however he chose. The Pink Pussycat Club set a standard and soon everyone wanted an outrageously alluring Bracey sign.

The recent exhibition “God’s Own Junkyard” exhibits new pieces and archived works from his vast collection, encompassing key pieces from his three decades of work in art, fashion and cinema. Needless to say I completely loved it. On a quiet winter day the Circus of Soho shop window lights up the street so exuberantly that you can’t help but stare into the room of sparkles. There is something undeniably sexy about neon, the piercing glow and magical colours. I have always adored its qualities, so much so that this year I was presented with my own handmade Thoroughly Modern Milly TMM neon sign for Christmas.

The crowded collection at God’s Own Junkyard is utterly compelling and addictive… I couldn’t stop taking photos. “Non Stop Strip”, “Love & Lust”, “Sandwiches and Pastries” they read… neon manages to glamourise everything. Chris Bracey says on the subject: “Like any work of art, it’s got a spirit. Neon is only happy when it’s on, when it’s alive.” God’s Own Junkyard is a glowing place of happiness and excitement, where neon never dies and dreams live on.

More information here.

Mash, Soho

Posted on by

I have never associated steak with Denmark… though I know the food is meant to be exquisite there. MASH is a phenomenon and like its Scandanavian counterpart, the new Soho branch offers large steak cuts from the best cattle in the world.

I was amazed by the expansive interior when I went for lunch… located in Brewer Street’s iconic Art Deco building, the place exudes charm and charisma, inside and out. Mashed potatoes do feature as a side dish at this restaurant but the name is actually a clever abbreviation of Modern American Steak House.

Mash deserves to be recognised just as much for its cocktails as its steak… which are mixed up with top ingredients and inventive flavours. The leading barman seemed happy to be distracted by our persistent questions and was delighted to show off the best homemade combinations by giving us little tasters. The cocktails are mixed with fine and characterful spirits and liqueurs, some homemade by the creative bar staff others carefully sourced from around the globe.

After sampling numerous spirits, we took a seat in one of the diner-esque plush red leather booths and addressed the meaty menu. The waiter noticed immediately that we needed help and took us for a brief viewing of the steak varieties… cuts from Denmark, Australia, America and Uruguay are available. We opted for a dry aged Danish sirloin and Wagyu sirloin from Australia, both looked promisingly pink and juicy behind the exhibition glass.

Wine was expertly selected for us by our blonde waitress, a perky white to start (our favourite was the Kungfu Girl Reisling) and a mellow red to continue, finishing with an unusual dessert wine. We grazed on our starters: charcuterie for me and fried squid for my friend. Both very tasty, though hurried through in anticipation of the main attraction.

The steaks arrived sizzling, great hunks of meat sliced elegantly by our waiter into immaculate segments. This was ideal for sharing but unfortunately made the meat turn cold faster than desired. Alarmingly we both preferred the Danish steak, which I couldn’t believe, especially after preaching about the qualities of Wagyu meat to my guest. It was soft but dense and packed full of flavour so that it barely needed the rich peppercorn sauce that arrived alongside it. The Wagyu was delicious too, but more fatty and less addictive. Onion rings were of the plump kind, airy and tasty and the fries were nice but nothing special, and looked a little limp in their dish. Macaroni Cheese was an entirely unnecessary addition to the table, ultra rich, gooey and good but an odd accompaniment to steak.

Patting our full bellies, puddings seemed unwise, but nonetheless we ordered a couple to share: creme brulee and cheesecake with red fruit coulis. A French recipe and an American classic: both were very lovely and provided the perfect sweet tooth satisfaction.

Four hours later and we finally dragged ourselves out of Mash feeling rather Mashed! This Danish eatery offers magnificent meat and cool concoctions underground in a secretive Soho restaurant. A must try for steak and cocktail lovers.

More information here.

http://www.mashsteak.dk/