B Bagel Bakery Bar Soho | My Soho Times

There is a tiny cafe in Soho that was a lifesaver during lockdown.
B Bagel Soho kept their doors open after our Prime Minister announced a total lockdown of the economy.  They were deemed an essential business (food: i.e. coffee and bagels) and stayed open, and there was literally nothing else open in the West End (except for the grocery stores). And if you, like me, are not a fan of instant coffee, B Bagel was the lighthouse that shone most bright for those of us who needed to get their daily coffee fix – there was simply nowhere else to get coffee (and unfortunately the grocery stores had turned off their Costa coffee machines).

Luckily the coffee (and the bagels) are most excellent at B Bagel – the coffee is smooth and goes down easy and the bagels come in many different varieties with any sort of filling you want. But also excellent were the staff during the strange and unusual lockdown time – they were friendly, warm and welcoming – and with my many visits during lockdown I have gotten to know the staff and have become friendly with them- how many coffee shops do you visit where that happens?

And once the weather got warmer, and April turned into May, more places started opening up – but it was always B Bagel that I returned to time and time again (and still do). So here’s to B Bagel – thanks for staying open during that difficult time. It is a place that I will be forever grateful for and will continue to visit time and time again. 

Written by Tim Baros

📍B Bagel Bakery Bar 54 Wardour Street, London W1D 4JF

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B Bagel Bakery Bar 54 Wardour Street, Soho. Follow on Instagram @bbagelbakery

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Lanre Olagoke: the artist on a mission to keep ART-ALIVE in Soho | My Soho Times

It might seem that art and homelessness have an unlikely connection, until you meet Lanre Olagoke – founder of Art-Alive Arts Trust. Once homeless himself, the artist and youth advocate used his talent to get through his toughest times. A powerful testimony that art holds much more value than just a price tag... Our editor Kai Lutterodt shares more.

Continue reading “Lanre Olagoke: the artist on a mission to keep ART-ALIVE in Soho | My Soho Times”

Old Compton Brasserie is Back and Better Than Ever

Tim Baros takes us on his culinary experience dining at the Old Compton Brasserie after its recent re-opening since lockdown…

It was surely missed during the COVID lockdown – but to be back there, on opening day – July 4th – and to be greeted by Max, one of the best restaurant managers in town – was just what the doctor ordered. And it was like the past 4 months hadn’t happened. On the many times I have eaten there I have always had impeccable service and impeccable food, and an impeccably great time, and July 4th was no exception.

Treated like a welcomed guest by Max and his international staff, I couldn’t wait to tuck into many of their signature dishes. While there was mass craziness and mayhem on Old Compton Street on that independence day, being inside Old Compton Brasserie was like being a world away. A gentle crowd, full of people who could not look any happier to be there and to finally be out of quarantine and out of their homes – it was quite a scene. Gok Wan and a gaggle of gays were sat at a table near the back, while a great mix of couples lingered over drinks at the bar. But it doesn’t matter who you are, you will be made to feel special at Old Compton Brasserie.

And their food is just as good as ever. Their OCB Burger was just perfect as I hadn’t had a restaurant burger in too long! I still remember how juicy the meat was, how soft and delicious the bun was, and overall it was just what I was craving, with long skinny fries to make the meal a perfect one. My friend went for their speciality – the Sirloin Steak Frites – a meal that’s typical brasserie but for this place it’s a main must have! In fact, there is something for everyone on their menu, including vegetarian, fish, salads and sandwiches to whet your appetite. And drinks – their drinks are the tops – with whatever you want, they have, including a speciality drinks list called ‘Faces of Soho’ – drinks named after semi-well known Soho characters (the Ruby Venezuela is my personal favourite).

If you’ve walked by recently you’ll have noticed the pedestrianisation of many Soho streets in the evenings and all day weekends. Old Compton Brasserie’s outdoor space is always packed – hence you know it’s one, if not the most popular in the area. We all know the reason why; great ambience, delicious food, amazing staff, and in an excellent location. Old Compton Brasserie – welcome back – we missed you a lot! 

Old Compton Brasserie is located at: 36, 38 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4TT

Let us know your favourite item on the menu!

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Loved Eating Out to Help Out? These businesses are extending it throughout September!

And just like that, August has flown by. But that doesn’t mean your taste for al fresco dining has to end too! If like us, you loved the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme which offered diners a 50% discount, up to £10 per person, off meals and soft drinks – you’re in luck… It’s been extended, not by the Government but at the restaurants own cost!

These are a few we’ve spotted in Soho looking forward to having you back this month for half price dining! (Please note each restaurant has their own terms and conditions for discounts.)

My Place Soho

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEg_5PvnWy2/

Robata

The Real Greek

Old Compton Brasserie

Tamarind Kitchen

Zima

Let us know if there are any others we’ve missed off this list!

Cheers to an al fresco September!

Look out for the Autumn issue of My Soho Times coming soon!

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Breaking the Rules – A film premiere with a difference

Gillian Smith attended BREAK, the first ever Drive-In premiere on 22nd July at Brent Cross, London. The film was rolled out nationwide in other drive-in venues, starting with Sheffield.

Continue reading “Breaking the Rules – A film premiere with a difference”

Divert the Traffic: Plans to Save Soho this Summer

Summer in Soho has always had the best vibe. Where else would you want to be for eating, drinking and hanging out with old friends? Not to mention the new ones you’ve only just met on a great night out…

Lockdown in Soho

Lockdown Soho My Soho Times
Empty streets of Soho during lockdown | Old Compton Street

After the long months of lockdown, it looks like bars, restaurants and cafes are set to re-open during the first week in July.  But with some uncertainty around the whole 2m (or will it be 1m?) social distancing issue, accommodating drinkers and diners inside is going to be tricky.

Burger & Lobster lockdown soho
Lockdown Soho: Burger & Lobster temporally boarded up

Save Soho: Soho Summer Street Festival

But as we know, where there’s a problem Soho will be looking to find a solution asap…  Enter the Soho Summer Street Festival.

This is the brainchild of Soho Estates’ John James.  The plan is to temporarily pedestrianise the beating heart of Soho for a few months to allow for al fresco drinking and dining. No cars = lots of beautifully spaced tables taking their rightful place along the pavements and roads.  We’re talking a squarish rectangle encompassing the likes of Streets Old Compton, Frith, Dean, Greek, Bateman, Carlisle & Romilly. 

Screen Shot 2020-06-17 at 10.14.33

Obviously there will be the logistics to sort out – deliveries and access for emergency & rubbish removal vehicles being the most pressing. And of course close co-operation with Westminster City Council will be vital to comply with licensing laws for street drinking. 

cof_soft
Some of our favourite restaurants including 40 Dean Street have expressed their support

Support for the plan has come from all quarters and is pretty much across the board. The Soho Society has some reservations in that the ‘festival’ aspect might attract unruly behaviour and noise, but hopefully fears can be allayed on that score and a summer of love commence.

In the meantime Save Soho (not to be confused with Save Soho performing arts campaign) is asking for support and looking for ideas and input from the public.

Show your support

An update from Save Soho:

Save-Soho-2020-Update

Westminster City Council has proposed opening the streets in the evenings (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/reopening-westminsters-hospitality-sector)
But, this is not enough for most of the smaller places within Soho to open, and not enough to afford to survive. If you agree and would like to help us help Soho, please email your support to CoW below, suggesting changing the hours to 12.30 – 10.30pm, email movementstrategy@westminster.gov.uk & tbarnes@westminster.gov.uk  by Sunday 21st June and ask them to extend our hours. They give the voices of residents far more credit than anyone else’s voice – so your email really matters now.

If you will email, please do include your name and address to show you’re a resident.

For more info visit https://savesoho.co.uk to have your say.  You’ll be in good company – the campaign already has the backing of Stephen Fry, Chrissie Hyde and chef and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi.

So get clicking and let Soho save your summer. Sitting, sipping and watching the world go by is just what we need right now.  See you down there.

Words by Gillian Smith @gillianasmith_| Photos: Kai Lutterodt @the.soho.girl

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Soho’s Urban Biodiversity | My Soho Times

Dr Luke Dixon of Urban Beekeeping shares insight into Soho’s often unspoken biodiversity and tips on how we can do our part to save the bees…

Continue reading “Soho’s Urban Biodiversity | My Soho Times”