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Discover London From Scratch – Soho Food Tour London

May 7, 2014 by GG 28 Comments

Novelty Custard cakes

Novelty Custard cakes

Taking a food tour through Soho is a fantastic way of discovering the food heritage of the area and appreciating the diversity of the food retailers, some of whom have been part of Soho life for more than a hundred years.  Michelle’s London From Scratch Soho Food Tour takes about three hours whilst it winds in and out of The Soho stalwarts, China Town, the Italian family delis and takes in a couple of newbies. Despite having been to Uni here, I still discovered fabulous places I didn’t know existed.

Renovated Georgian Lanes In London

Renovated Georgian Alleyways In London

Soho has changed in the past few years.  Gone are most of the girlie bars, peep shows and the infamous Raymond review Bar. The neon signs are still there but much more discreet. The postcards and red lights have gone from the narrow Georgian alleyways, which have been renovated, with bright paintwork and clean stucco.  But it’s still the home of the bohemian and the bastion of West End bars and restaurants.

Fresh Artisan Bread

Fresh Artisan Bread

We began with a fruited Manchet, a glossy, dark chestnut brown perfectly rounded bun, stuffed with fruit.  A great beginning to our tour.  Bought from a restaurant that has been part of Soho for nearly ninety years with a wonderful artisan bakery.

Choice Of Breads And Savoury pastries With The Olive Sticks

Choice Of Breads And Savoury pastries With The Olive Sticks

We went on to try salty olive bread sticks wrapped in perfectly cured Bresaola from an Italian deli Nigella uses.

 

Olive Bread Sticks With Bresaola

Olive Bread Sticks With Bresaola

Our next treat was chocolate coated coffee beans, thickly coated over gently roasted beans, full of fresh coffee flavour.  We wandered back through Broadwick Street to our next destination.  Almost a hole in the wall.  A tiny Middle Eastern Restaurant brightly accented in yellow.  The table was set with flat bread, Babba Ganoush and wonderful spicy, slightly sour tiny sausages, all served with olives and traditional pickles.  The freshness of the mint and sweetness from the pomegranate seeds were wonderful with the aubergine.

Middle Eastern Feast

Middle Eastern Feast

The next visit was a fun aside.  A trip through China Town to buy tiny custard filled fish.  A baked, crispy outer coated little cake with a hot custard centre, bought straight from the tiny fish shaped ovens.  A bit of theatre with a tasty result.

Pork, Rice Noodle Wrap With Crispy Onions And Mint

Pork, Rice Noodle Wrap With Crispy Onions And Mint

Back to Soho for Vietnamese rice noodle rolls, filled with tender pork and topped with bean sprouts, crispy onions and a fragrant clear sauce.  A very new taste for me but utterly fresh and delcious.

Hand Made Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels

Hand Made Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels

Then, it was time for sweet, literally.  Dark, crisp fine chocolate, filled with a generous flood of soft salted caramel.  The hand made bitter chocolate, perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the filling.  Finally it was time for the grand finale. A trip back in time to a restored 1930s marble and gilt pillared ballroom turned dinning room, where we had Cafe Gourmande or in our case Tea Gourmande.  A perfect cup of English tea with tiny petit fours and a chance to catch up on all we’d seen.

Tea Gourmande

Tea Gourmande

Michelle gave us a real understanding of the history of food in Soho whilst pointing out great restaurants to try and coffee shops that could be relied on for a really good cup of coffee.  As a final gesture, chef Michelle gave us each a lovely little packet of home made peanut and rose petal brittle as a delightful parting gift.   I thoroughly recommend this tour, it’s fun, informative, friendly and very tasty.

Michelle invited me to join her on her walking tour.  I wasn’t under any obligation to review the tour, but I’m delighted to do so.  All opinions are my own.

http://www.londonfromscratch.co.uk/london-walks/

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Filed Under: Europe, Food Tour, Out and About, Travels

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Comments

  1. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    May 7, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    What a fun tour. The food history of Soho sounds really interesting and the food – those handmade chocolates have my name on them for sure.

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:28 am

      It was a really fun tour. A perfect balance of food, tasting, delis, restaurants and history. GG

      Reply
  2. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    May 7, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    mmm..those breads…I am in love!

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:29 am

      Don’t they look fab. GG

      Reply
  3. cheri says

    May 7, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    The food looks incredible, the custard cakes adorable, and the chocolates to die for. What an amazing tour you went on. Great fun!

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:29 am

      It was fab. The fish are fun and the warm custard delicious. GG

      Reply
  4. Sally - My Custard Pie says

    May 7, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Right – I’m doing this in July. You had me at novelty custard cakes (in the shape of fish!)

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:30 am

      Oh you should. Michelle will be at FBC14, will you be there? GG

      Reply
  5. Totally Heavenly says

    May 7, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Gosh this looks like so much fun. I want to play custard fish too daaahling, it looks better than Barbie.
    *kisses* H

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:30 am

      Ha Ha!! so much better than Barbie – you can eat them! GG

      Reply
  6. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    May 8, 2014 at 12:07 am

    Oh how delicious, GG! And perfect timing as we are planning for a trip overseas! Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:31 am

      Oh you must try this. Michelle points out restaurants in all price ranges along the way, to visit on your return. GG

      Reply
  7. Hotly Spiced says

    May 8, 2014 at 3:57 am

    I’ve heard a lot about Soho but never been there. The tour looks fabulous and I’d love to have done it with you! The food stores looks like they’re all turning out great quality items xx

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Wouldn’t it have been fun to have done this together. The food was fab and the shops really true to thier heritage. GG

      Reply
  8. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    May 8, 2014 at 9:22 am

    I am on love with the Middle Eastern Foods. Sound like a fab present idea for foodies.

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:33 am

      Perfect for foodies and non foodies. GG

      Reply
  9. Coffee and Crumpets says

    May 9, 2014 at 9:23 pm

    Growing up that’s all I ever knew about Soho, girlie bars and peep shows 🙂 It did have great restaurants though, nice to see it’s been revamped. The food tour sounds like so much fun!!

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Soho is a very different place now. It was a great fun way to spend the morning. GG

      Reply
  10. Choc Chip Uru says

    May 10, 2014 at 3:04 am

    I would really like to devour London now, the fishes are sooo adorable 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 10:37 am

      The fishes are fab aren’t they. GG

      Reply
  11. Jacqueline Meldrum says

    May 11, 2014 at 10:42 am

    What great fun the tour sounds. Last time I was in Soho was about 20 years ago and it was a bit mixed then with some seedy areas, although I do remember an excellent American diner.

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      it was a fab tour. I remember that American diner, I can’t remember if its still there though. GG

      Reply
  12. Choclette says

    May 11, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    That sounds like my sort of tour. What fun. it’s obviously been a very long time since I was in Soho as it was still very much a red light district then. Come to think of it, I probably haven’t been there since I was a student – ahhh, how the years fly! I’m going there this week though, so will be interested to see how it’s changed.

    Reply
    • GG says

      May 11, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      You’ll see a big difference then when you go. There’s a fab chocolate shop, all handmade you really need to check that out. GG

      Reply
  13. Nazima, franglais kitchen says

    May 11, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    what a lovely tour – nice to find places you would not stumble across without some prior knowledge. love the pictures too

    Reply
  14. London Unattached says

    May 11, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    ohhh, I am now feeling VERY guilty because I think you went on this AFTER me and I still haven’t written my review. A few places the same but quite a few new ones too! Isn’t it fun!

    Reply
  15. Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says

    May 12, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Lovely review! Thank you for sharing those lovely places, now Soho is on my list places to visit 🙂

    Reply
  16. Mandy - The Complete Book says

    May 13, 2014 at 9:55 am

    I would love to visit London again and do a tour like this – scrumptious!
    Have a super day.
    🙂 Mandy xo

    Reply

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Glamorous Glutton

Hi! I’m GG and I write a Food and Travel Blog based in the UK. I began my blog in 2011 after years spent in the fashion industry, travelling the world. Finally I had time to think and indulge in my passions for writing, travel, food, and photography, in my own time.♥
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