The Giant Plug - Soho

An oldie but a goodie (around since 2001, changing colour most years)... Another cool and quirky design from the team at James Glancy Design. Go find it on Ganton Street...

Pop Up Soho Art Shop

There is nothing like a swift walk through Soho on lunch, to get the creative juices flowing again. Loved this new quirky pop up shop.

Art Shop windows

Love the windows of Cass Art on Berwick Street. Makes me want to buy...which I guess is the point!

Wahaca...new to Soho

I love Mexican food and I love fresh, wholesome ingredients, that's why I love Wahaca! So, I'm very happy to see the new Soho branch is now open on Wardour Street (so close it is going to be dangerous!). The food is yummy and authentic, the atmosphere buzzing and the tequila delicious. Love reading their menu...Mmmmm quesadilla!

Mexican skull masks in the Covent Garden restaurant window.

London Wallpaper

I love this wallpaper in the new JOY shop on Wardour Street. Apparently it was designed by an Australian artist, just for this store. It captures all the iconic elements of the surrounding area including China Town, Sex Shops and the Eros fountain. Would love to see this created for other London areas...

 

COX Cookies & Cakes! 13 Brewer Street

What a great addition to the streets of Soho and what a perfect name! Former shoe designer Patrick Cox has opened what has to be the sexiest cake shop I have ever seen. All black lacquer, sparkly walls and pink neon – with a specially created piece by Tracy Emin no less, hanging above the till! Not only are the designs cheeky and original but they're also delicious - the oozing cupcake centre's are really decadent. When drooling over their website I was particularly drawn to the COXXX selection, especially the Beef Cake…a praline flavoured bulging bicep,  so was a little disappointed to find that they don't stock it yet. I didn't come away disappointed though, after great recommendations from the helpful, leather aproned staff. Open until 11pm over Fri and Sat, this is the perfect place to pop into for something a little naughty (but legal) on your way home! 

Not just for Halloween...this triple chocolate sponge with blood red frosting was simply delicious. 

Princi...bread heaven

If, like me, you are a bread monster or you have a weakness for cakes, then pop your head around the door of Princi on Wardour Street. This great Milanese style café/bar is the brainchild of the wonderous Alan Yau, who brought us the likes of Wagamama and Hakkasan. There is an on site bakery that produces a mouth watering selection of wheat goodies, as well as delicious pasta and salad dishes - all at reasonable prices. It's a great place to read the papers on a Sunday with a cappuccino and cake, as a treat for lunch or even for a late night snack and glass of wine on a Friday, when it's buzzing with Soho revellers. I kept the photos to a minimum as not to spoil the element of surprise when you walk in and clock the counter. Here is something to get your mouth watering though...

The Great Frog and The Spider Ring

I love jewellery, especially rings and after deciding to add another to my collection I knew exactly where to go. The Great Frog on Ganton Street (just off Carnaby Street) is an amazing jewellery shop that specializes in unique, edgy, hand carved pieces. I could have bought them all, however I am rapidly running out of fingers!

Pop up Ping Pong!

I came across this awesome place when walking to the tube yesterday. It's on Marshall street which is just off Carnaby St and is only around for one more week! Ping Pong for free... it doesn't get much better than this! Perfect Friday night fun - plus they serve beer!

It's always the weather for ice cream...

So, the weather is not as sunny, but it is still really hot, therefore I decided to delay the sweaty tube journey home with a trip to Gelupo a new gelateria on Archer street, Soho – all in the name of research of course! This is from the people behind Bocca di Lupo, an Italian restaurant with a great reputation, just across the road (Note to self - I must get round to sampling their food soon).

Fresh, delicious flavours including a daily special made for a very hard decision and many a sample tested! I settled on the daily special ‘Bonet’, which was a mixture of rum, ameretti, coffee and chocolate with a second scoop of peach sorbet…to die for! I had to control my yummy noises! There is a seating area so you can eat in but if the weather is nice, a scoop (or three) is the perfect accompaniment to people watching on the streets of Soho.

Pick me up dinner @ Polpo

The man has just returned from a draining trip to Aberdeen, so to cheer him up after an 8-hour train ride, I decided to treat him to a meal at Polpo in Soho. This is a gorgeous Venetian style bacaro on Beak Street and is definitely one of my favourite Italians in London. I also love the fact that Canaletto used to live in the building.
The menu is fantastic, with a delicious selection of mezze style dishes, which means you can order loads without feeling too greedy! My favourites today were the broad bean, ricotta and mint bruschettas and scallops with pancetta and peas...yum! The atmosphere is great, no matter what time of day and the staff are really friendly without being too in your face. Be prepared to wait for a table most evenings (especially over the weekend) as the place is very popular. But is this really a hardship when you can wait in anticipation by the bar with a glass of red wine...or two?!

Lunch in Soho

I decided to forgo my measly cucumber sandwich today and wander into Soho to find something more exciting to eat for lunch. Now this can be a little intimidating as there are so many gorgeous places, but I settled on Food Secret on Broadwick Street as I have walked past a million times and never been in. 
Well I wasn't disappointed! The concept is ‘’tailor made, fresh food’’ which is healthy, nutritious and I have to say very reasonably priced. There is a grab and go area for those on the run, however I decided to take the weight off and eat in, with a trip to the 'make your own' counter. The selection is fantastic and you can tailor make your soup, salad or sandwich down to the smallest detail. You also get an itemised receipt giving you a breakdown of ingredients and the nutritional value! Very cool! Will definitely be going back again soon.