GREAT BRITAIN - Best of Europe 2014 - page 856

eclecticurbanmeltingpotofinternationalflavors.Theserestaurantsarescatteredthroughout
a chic, creative, and borderline-seedy zone that teems with hipsters, theatergoers, and Lon-
don's gay community. Even if you plan to have dinner elsewhere, it's a treat just to wander
around Soho.
Note: While gentrification has mostly stripped this area (no pun intended) of its former
“red light district” vibe, a few pockets of sex for sale survive. Beware of the extremely wel-
comingwomenstandingoutsidethestripclubs(especially onGreatWindmill Street). Enjoy
the sales pitch—but know that only fools fall for the “£5 drink and show” lure.
On and near Wardour Street, in the Heart of Soho
(See “Central London Eateries” map, here .)
Running through the middle of Soho, rumbling past what's left of the strip-club zone, War-
dour Street is ground zero for creative restaurateurs hoping to break into the big leagues.
Strolling up this street—particularly from Brewer Street northward—you can take your pick
from a world of options: Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Italian, French and even...English.
Not yet tarnished by the corporatization creeping in from areas to the south, this drag still
seems to hit the right balance between trendy and accessible. While I've listed several
choices below (including some that are a block or two off of Wardour Street), simply
strolling the length of the street and following your appetite to the place that looks best is a
great plan.
The BusabaEathai isahitwithlocalsforitssnappy(sometimesrushed)service,casual-
yet-high-energy ambience, and good, inexpensive Thai cuisine. Be prepared to be wedged
communally around big, square 16-person hardwood tables or in two-person tables by the
window—with everyone in the queue staring at your noodles. On a busy night, the place
really gets rollicking—not ideal for quiet conversation. They don't take reservations, so
arrive by 19:00 or line up (£7-12 meals, Mon-Thu 12:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-23:30, Sun
12:00-22:00, 106 Wardour Street, tel. [phone]). They're adding new locations all the
time; convenient outlets include nearby Panton Street (at #35), just below Piccadilly Circus;
at 44 Floral Street, near Covent Garden; at 22 Store Street, near the British Museum and
GoodgeStreetTube;andat8-13BirdStreet,justoffOxfordStreetandacrossfromtheBond
Street Tube.
Princi is a vast, bright, efficient, wildly popular Italian deli/bakery with Milanese flair.
Along one wall is a long counter with display cases offering a tempting array of pizza rus-
tica, panini sandwiches, focaccia, a few pasta dishes, and desserts (look in the window from
the street to see their wood-fired oven in action). Order your food at the counter, then find a
space at a long shared table; or get it “to go” for an affordable and fast meal (£7-13 meals,
Mon-Sat 8:00-24:00, Sun 8:30-22:00, 135 Wardour Street, tel. [phone]).