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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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.
It was a really fun tour. A perfect balance of food, tasting, delis, restaurants and history. GG
mmm..those breads…I am in love!
Don’t they look fab. GG
The food looks incredible, the custard cakes adorable, and the chocolates to die for. What an amazing tour you went on. Great fun!
It was fab. The fish are fun and the warm custard delicious. GG
Right – I’m doing this in July. You had me at novelty custard cakes (in the shape of fish!)
Oh you should. Michelle will be at FBC14, will you be there? GG
Gosh this looks like so much fun. I want to play custard fish too daaahling, it looks better than Barbie.
*kisses* H
Ha Ha!! so much better than Barbie – you can eat them! GG
Oh how delicious, GG! And perfect timing as we are planning for a trip overseas! Thanks for sharing this.
Oh you must try this. Michelle points out restaurants in all price ranges along the way, to visit on your return. GG
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
Wouldn’t it have been fun to have done this together. The food was fab and the shops really true to thier heritage. GG
I am on love with the Middle Eastern Foods. Sound like a fab present idea for foodies.
Perfect for foodies and non foodies. GG
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!!
Soho is a very different place now. It was a great fun way to spend the morning. GG
I would really like to devour London now, the fishes are sooo adorable 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
The fishes are fab aren’t they. GG
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.
it was a fab tour. I remember that American diner, I can’t remember if its still there though. GG
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.
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
what a lovely tour – nice to find places you would not stumble across without some prior knowledge. love the pictures too
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!
Lovely review! Thank you for sharing those lovely places, now Soho is on my list places to visit 🙂
I would love to visit London again and do a tour like this – scrumptious!
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo