Toby Anstis' Blog

The Italian Job 

Much that I love the occasional Starbucks, as we all do, I want to shout about the old style Italian cafe/sandwich bars in the West End, who serve up delicious food and a friendly atmosphere, not to mention cappuccinos to match, if not beat the taste of the big coffee brands. They are unique to London and I LOVE 'em. And they need a bit of sticking up for in the wake of all the competition in town. I find the chain coffee places pretty soulless on the whole, and impersonal. The great West End cafes have a lovely warm feel when you walk in. Old Guiseppe behind the counter, " Good afternoon sir, you look a hungry, what can I fix you, nice hot sausage roll and a bowl of fresh Italian tomato soup?".......that was earlier in Poland Street in W1. How nice is that! I had all the above, PLUS a fantastic hot chicken escolope with salad in a large brown bap. Yes I was well hungry, but wow!

On a damp miserable day, it was just the tonic. They sit you down, serve you with a smile, check you're ok. Tell me when you last had that in Coffee Republic or wherever....? I remember when I was younger and used to work for my dad in Park Street during the school holidays, filing normally, all day in the basement. It was tedious, but it was decent pocket money, and covered the cost of a gorgeous lunch at the Italian cafe "The Five Stars" just round the corner. It's still there. North Row, W1. The same wonderful Italian family have been running it for generations. They know exactly what people want to eat, and how to srike up a bit of friendly banter. The smell in those places too. It makes your mouth water.

Anyway, next time you're in the West End and you get the munchies, don't settle for a bland mug of cappucino and a boring piece of three day old chocolate cake. Get into a proper London cafe bar, the ones with a little canape outside and bowls and bowls of fresh delicious sandwich fillings behind the glass counter. Sit down, chill out and tuck into some good home cooking!

Toby

Posted by Toby Anstis on May 29, 2008 at 09:41AM

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