13a Greek Street,
Soho,
W1D 4DN
0872 148 1984
The ViewLondon Review
A sweet little Italian café at the quiet end of Greek street, it’s ideal for a take away or a coffee perhaps but no more than that.The VenueCafé Valentino’s little red and white chairs under the canopy are its most visible feature from the street. There are only a couple of small tables out there that have been pushed right up against the shop as the pavement is quite narrow. Inside, it’s the same story. They’ve managed to squeeze seven round tables into the cafe, each with two or three chairs to match. To give you an idea of how cramped it is, one of the tables is right up against the little fireplace with a chair actually in the fireplace.
The peach-coloured walls coupled with the few pot plants that have been strategically positioned about the place create the authentic Italian feeling. An old TV in the corner gives keeps your mind from straying while you eat or wait for your sandwich to be made.
The AtmosphereAs cramped as it is, the atmosphere is actually very cosy as most of the people that wander in opt for a takeaway, leaving most of the tables empty. When it gets busy, however, claustrophobia can easily set in. Staff are friendly, particularly with their regulars, and are very efficient in their service.
The FoodSandwiches, baps, ciabattas, rolls and paninis come with numerous fillings for around the £3.50 mark (takeaway) and £3.00 (eat-in). They also do a full English breakfast complete with two sausages, two rashers of bacon, two slices of toast and beans, tomatoes and a hot drink for £5.95. Main dishes include spaghetti, chilli con carne, rice and curry and Spanish omelette.
The DrinkA rather nice milky hot chocolate can be had for £1.70. Served in your standard white kitchen mug, it’s not fancy but it does the job and has a lovely frothy top. A selection of teas and coffees are also available for take-away or to drink-in.
The Last WordCafe Valentino is more suited for those who want to grab a take away as it is extremely confined. The staff, however, are polite and forthcoming, making this a charming little pit stop round the back of Charing Cross Road.