MY SOHO TIMES

What is a City but the People? | My Soho Times

West End resident, Jessica Toale reflects on the past year…

In March last year the shutters came down on London. The once bustling streets were hushed. Restaurants and shops closed their doors for the foreseeable. And we all ran out of toilet paper. The intervening months saw us lurch from hope to despair as the city opened up and then closed down again. The past year has undoubtedly been a trial. Lives have been lost. Opportunities and freedoms curtailed. We have all experienced unimaginable stress and emotion in coming to terms with what is so often described as the ‘new normal’.

Lighting Up Oxford Street with W1 Curates | My Soho Times

As the season changes and with it comes the first signs of Christmas, we take a stroll down memory lane to the ‘Soho side‘ of Oxford Street where W1 Curates lit up (and continue to) a famous High Street with art…

Let’s Meet at My Place | My Soho Times

We reflect on the past year with ‘Takeaway Stories‘; local people share what they’ve taken away from navigating through a pandemic… meet the owners of My Place Soho!

A Cosy Nook in The Heart of Soho: London Clinic of Hypnotherapy

We reflect on the past year with ‘Takeaway Stories‘; local people share what they’ve taken away from navigating through a pandemic… Lydia Johnson, founder of London Clinic of Hypnotherapy starts off the series.

Influencer’s Network Table at Kasa And Kin

To mark the launch of Kasa and Kin; Soho’s new Filipino all-day restaurant & bar, bakery and patisserie, My Soho Times hosted an influencer’s table bringing together some of our favourite content creators to try a selection of dishes from the hot new menu…

FrightFest Halloween

It’s that time of year again. Nothing can kill the Spooky Season… so shake off those summer cobwebs, throw on your Michael Myers mask and embrace the hair-raising horrors to come with Frightfest Halloween.

The UK’s Number One destination for the fantasy community is open for business once more with nine brand-spanking new features from Friday evening on October 29 to all day Saturday October 30 at the Cineworld, Leicester Square.

Laugh in the goriest places, shriek out loud time after time, gasp at the star guests and rub your eyes with disbelief at the sights and sounds on offer… ones that will live in your dark hearts forever. Because as every true horror fantasy fan knows, it’s the job of FrightFesters to keep Halloween alive and screaming 24/7, 3/6/5.

Time to go for broke, revel in all the pumpkin lunacy and raise merry hell…. it’s all there lurking in the shadows for you.

FrightFest is the UK’s biggest and brightest fantasy and horror film festival. From its first festival in 2000 at the Prince Charles cinema in central London, 22 years later, the festival has evolved into a vibrant community where audiences and guests alike travel from all over the world to be part of the event’s unique atmosphere.

Written by Gillian Smith. This article was originally published in the Autumn issue of My Soho Times magazine. CLICK HERE to view online.

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Last Night in Soho

Celluloid Soho is taking another bow to (hopefully) rapturous applause with the release of Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, a little while later than expected due to pandemic delays. The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie and Matt Smith and is a time-travelling, lovingly recreated ode to the swinging 60s, with a twist of course. Soho, of course, plays itself; with a bit of a makeover.

6 Pasta Plates in Soho for World Pasta Day

The Italian community in Soho is one of the most established and extensive in London. Since the 1860s when the first major inrush of Italian political refugees hit the city, locals of the boot shaped nation have helped shape the geographical and cultural landscape of the central London district.

When one thinks of Soho-Italia, food and drink comes straight to mind. It was the introduction of pizza, pasta and espresso that became the community’s calling card in the UK. From the now iconic Bar Italia, family-run since 1949 to neighbourhood favourite Lina Stores Deli – Italy continues to dominate the food scene.

Pastaio, Carnaby

Communal tables and funky artwork line this inventive, much-hyped spot off Carnaby Street. Pasta really is the focus of the menu here – handmade everyday using simple seasonal ingredients. Our waiter recommended ‘cacio e pepe’ – cheese and pepper spaghetti for the unanointed – is straightforward delicious. And did we mention Prosecco slushies? Yep, you heard us right. Try peach for a boozy twist on the childhood favourite.

19 Ganton St, Soho, London W1F 9BN
020 3019 8680

Forty Dean Street

This family-run business serves classic Italian to perfection. Operational for almost 20 years, the restaurant is a flip side to the edgy cuisine that dominates Soho. Think back to basics, generous portions teamed with a seriously good cocktail menu. We recommend the handmade lobster ravioli for melt in your mouth goodness. Get a table outside to watch Soho go by…

40 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 4PX
020 7734 1853

Lina Stores

The brand spanking new outpost of the beloved family-run Deli on Wardour Street has landed with a bang. Mint green stalls line this intimate pasta bar whose focus is small, artfully created pasta dishes. The selection is varied and and includes a juicy veal ragu and sage and brown butter smothered gnudi – essentially a dumpling sized gnocchi. If you’re not tempted enough – which we find doubtful – Lina Stores looks set to become a local contender.

51 Greek St Soho, London W1D 4EH
0203 929 0068

Mele e Pere

The buzzy trattoria and vermouth bar merges inventive Italian gastronomy with quirky, offbeat design. The result is an eclectic wonderland of classic twists. While small plates are queen here, Mele e Pere (translation, ‘apples and pears’) doesn’t disappoint on gorgeous pasta dishes.
Don’t miss out on the vintage poster- adorned basement bar where an extensive vermouth menu included the bar’s homemade blend.

46 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 9TF
020 7096 2096

Vapiano

Not your usual Italian restaurant, this popular chain presents fully customisable dishes from across Italy. And when we say presents, we mean it, as dishes are prepared before your very eyes in this fast and affordable self-service restaurant. If your group is struck by the classic conundrum – pizza or pasta? – or looking for a theatrical experience without compromising on flavour, look no further…

19-21 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QB
020 7268 0082

Bocca di Lupo

A Soho staple, it’s hard to believe this Tuscan haunt only opened in 2008. Still as popular as ever, the restaurant is a must if you’re looking for authentic, delicious pasta and starters in a modern setting. Decor is slim and service spotless. Book early to avoid disappointment – the wait is 100% worth it. The weekly risotto is truly something special.

12 Archer St, Soho, London W1D 7BB
020 7734 2223

Written by Freya Starr | IG: @freya.starr

This article was originally published in My Soho Times Winter issue. CLICK HERE to view.

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Measuring up to Tony the Soho Tailor | My Soho Times

“I’ve got clients who have been with me since I started…” – Tony Phillips

Ever walked through Soho’s buzzing streets and looked above the shop-ground windows to wonder what’s up above? Editor-in-Chief and Soho local, Kai Lutterodt takes us up into one of those rooms – the studio of Tony Phillips aka Tony the Soho Tailor– for a rare interview…

Time to Celebrate the Shining Stars of East and South East Asian Hospitality!

Food blogger Liv Alice (@livbyfood) attended the 2021 Golden Chopsticks Awards…

It was an honour to be invited to the fabulous Golden Chopsticks Awards on the 27th September at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, hosted by the legendary Gok Wan MBE. The evening was a wonderful, heart-warming way to recognise all the incredible, innovative and resilient UK businesses that have not only made it through truly the toughest year on record for a long time, but also come out of the other side boasting some spectacular achievements.

The fabulous all-star ceremony hosted an array of A-listers, VIPs and celebrities, from Tallia Storm and comedian Suzy Ruffell, to Chef Chris Baber and Sarah Owen MP, along with some of the biggest influencers in Oriental food, eminent food writers and prominent community leaders.

There were 20 award categories with a significant number of deserving nominees from across the UK, all of whom turned up on the night in the hope of bagging an award. The categories ranged across the restaurant sector, suppliers, food writers and individuals – all judged by a talented panel, including the likes of Jeremy Pang and icon Ken Hom OBE.

Nominees were spread across small food trucks/ street food vendors, independent restaurants and larger chain specialists. My personal favourite was the lovely team from Little Viet Kitchen, who truly melted our hearts with their acceptance speeches – and they managed to score two separate gongs!

There were some inspirational Soho champions taking home prizes too, including the always innovative Inamo (for Best Fusion Restaurant) and the classic and well-loved Din Tai Fung for their drool-worthy dumplings! I even had the chance to sit next to Afra Willmore and hear all about her work before she stepped up to claim the Rising Star award for her mum blog.

Gok Wan MBE, co-founder and host of the awards commented, ‘What an amazing night, bringing together the good and the great from the oriental food world in one room, with finalists covering the broad spectrum of East and South East Asian food – from Chinese, Japanese and Thai to Vietnamese, Malaysian,Filipino and Korean. It was fantastic to see so many accomplished restaurateurs in the room, alongside the rising stars of the future! It was a real honour to host!’

A truly humbling evening of joyous celebration, fabulous food and highly talented nominees. Huge congratulations to all the amazing winners!

To see the full list of both winners and nominees visit www.theGCAs.co.uk | IG: @thegoldenchopsticksawards

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