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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / Exploring SOHO on a gastronomic adventure with Scratch London

Exploring SOHO on a gastronomic adventure with Scratch London

June 5, 2015 by manjirichitnis 13 Comments

SOHO – London’s famously infamous district where sex shops sit comfortably nestled between artisan bakeries, will always hold a sense of intrigue to everyone who visits. No matter how many times you go to SOHO each time the place will reveal a new facet of it’s colourful personality. I truly believe that there is no better way to discover any place than on foot. And a walking tour that involves eating at 10 very different foodie joints is what you will experience on a SOHO walking tour with Michelle of Scratch London tours.

SOHO Square
SOHO Square

A chef and ex-restauranter who has worked in some establishments in SOHO it is fair to say that as regards the food scene in SOHO Michelle is an insider. She also hosts Marylebone’s Scratch SupperClub.

On a bright and crisp Saturday morning a few weeks back Michelle met a small group of people including me at SOHO square from where the tour normally starts. After a background into the history of the surrounding area Michelle indulged us with a quick little treat of mini croissants with fruity and chocolaty fillings. Procured from a local artisan bakery. It is fascinating to hear how an area once populated by aristocracy is now home to swanky bars, sex shops and Michelin starred restaurants. Immigrants from various European countries who migrated here like the Huegenots had a profund impact in the development of the area in the pre WWI era.

SOHO, London
SOHO, London

First stop was Princi – an Italian casual dining restaurant – brainchild of entrepreneur Alan You – who founded Wagamama , Hakkasan and Yauatacha.

Princi SOHO

Looking at the large amount of variety on counters behind glass panes got us all salivating and craving to dig our teeth into some food.

With our appetite whetted we walked through the by-lanes of SOHO sampling various types of world cuisines taking in the sights, sounds and more nuggets about the history of SOHO from Michelle. Michelle has lived in London long enough to give you a real insight into this dynamic neighborhood. While we spotted Grade II listed buildings, mock-Tudor style architecture and half timbered buildings oozing old world charm we also took in the unmissable sign boards for massage parlours and posters advertising ‘models’ .

SOHO, London
SOHO, London

Of all the different tastes that we experienced the most indulgent was fresh Oysters. Randall & Aubin – a quaint French restaurant complete with Victorian fittings and a humongous millor ball is a SOHO institution. As a special birthday treat for one of the guests on the tour that day Michelle had managed to get us some Champagne too.

Oysters at Randall & Aubin, SOHO, London
Oysters at Randall & Aubin, SOHO, London

Next we moved onto another fabulous seafood grill and oyster bar where we were introduced to ordering food using an ipad and very tuna ceviche. My past experience of indulging in ceviche at Uni in Victoria has made me a great fan and I genuinely adore the taste of Tuna which in my humble opinion tastes great raw as a ceviche and medium rare in a steak.

1-IMG_1208 (Copy)

When we set out on the tour little had I expected that in half a day we would be taking our taste buds on a world tour while discovering some hidden gems in an area buzzing with energy.

Walking Tour with Scratch London in SOHO
Walking Tour with Scratch London in SOHO

Of course all gastronomic adventures should end on a sweet note and Michelle does not disappoint. Not only did we sample hand crafted artisan chocolates from London’s leading chocolatier we also got a cool discount on our purchases. I managed to find some black truffle chocolates from Mast Brothers which had made their long journey from NY just a few hours ago.

Walking Tour with Scratch London in SOHO
Walking Tour with Scratch London in SOHO

As the danger of the modern property market and campaigns to ‘clean up’ SOHO are rapidly changing the look and feel of neighbourhood from grunge, quirky and a hub of adult entertainment, it is important to experience SOHO and all its varied foodie offerings in it’s original and natural setting. To do so with a knowledgeable guide like Michelle as part of a small group where you do not loose yourself and can actually make sensible conversation is a great pleasure.

Randall & Aubin, SOHO, London
Randall & Aubin, SOHO, London

For £61.50 per head, a Scratch London tour will include all ten food and drink destinations on the route.

*With thanks to Michelle for inviting me on a gastronomic adventure through SOHO. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Miscellaneous Tagged With: an Italian casual dining restaurant, food tour scratch London, Hakkasan, Princi, Randall & Aubin, Wagamama, Walking tour, Yauatacha

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Comments

  1. KGR (@KirstyRalph11) says

    June 8, 2015 at 11:24 am

    Wow the place looks stunning and the food looks amazing! You looked like you had a great time!

    Kirsty xx

    Reply
    • Manjiri Chitnis says

      June 8, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Yes the Randall & Aubin is quite something and I really want to go back for some crabs and oysters real soon!

      Reply
  2. Kitty Kaos says

    June 8, 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Those cakes look so good! I have never tried oysters either but really want to x

    Reply
    • Manjiri Chitnis says

      June 8, 2015 at 1:04 pm

      I know those cakes made me feel weak in the knees!

      Reply
  3. susjdavy says

    June 8, 2015 at 3:00 pm

    Looks like a fab day was had by all! Love that big disco ball too!

    Reply
    • Manjiri Chitnis says

      June 9, 2015 at 11:39 am

      Oh I totally love that Disco Ball!

      Reply
  4. efwalt says

    June 9, 2015 at 8:58 am

    Looks like you had a great time! I’ve been considering doing this tour (and a few others for a while). Were you absolutely stuffed by the end?! Haha. I think I’d have to roll home…thank god for the tube!

    Reply
    • Manjiri Chitnis says

      June 9, 2015 at 11:38 am

      Heheheh no wasn’t really exploding just satiated enough but did manage to have some dumplings straight after when I met a friend for tea but then that’s just me! I think I have an extra stomach hehehe

      Reply
      • efwalt says

        June 9, 2015 at 11:40 am

        Extra stomachs come in handy…I have one for pudding but think this may have defeated even me :-p

        Reply
  5. Jo's Kitchen (@Jos_Kitchen) says

    June 9, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Sounds amazing. I really want to try fresh oysters

    Reply
    • Manjiri Chitnis says

      June 11, 2015 at 11:35 am

      I am now officially in love with fresh oysters, there’s no turning back!

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    June 11, 2015 at 9:26 am

    This looks like so much fun! I’d love to explore an area through its food some time.

    Reply
    • Manjiri Chitnis says

      June 11, 2015 at 11:34 am

      It was really great fun and Michelle really made sure we all had a great time.

      Reply

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