Tipped

Mambo Italiano

November 26, 2008

I was introduced to Bar Italia by Mario of Someone Once Told Me fame, who told me it was one of the best places in the world. While I drank the coffee and ate the cheesecake that he paid for, I could easily see why he and many other people are so attached to it.

It's buzzing and lively at all times of day. The coffee is great, as are the cakes and paninis, and I could therefore guess so are the pizzas. The staff are fun and loud (perhaps excepting the outdoor waitresses who look kinda bored from time to time - maybe they are just cold). The atmosphere is great though, when you're inside you could easily think you're wedged into a backstreet in Rome, and when you're outside you're right on the Soho street where there is always something to watch.

Great place to pause for a few minutes or hours.

Keywords: italian, coffee, soho

Soho Institution

December 10, 2007

Another Soho institution, like walking on to a film set. Amazing boxing posters from the 50's, delicious coffee, could be in New York or Milan. Not a place to hang around though, not many seats and a rushed atmosphere add to the whirling caffine induced dazzle. Somehow manages to be stylish and down at heal all in one go. A good end to a meal in the area.