Lou Loves: Foxcroft and Ginger

Foxcroft and Ginger

I don't know what it is that makes this such a legend of a place for me. Or why I keep finding myself being drawn back there like an insatiable moth... Maybe it is the basement, with the leather horse and huge, comfy battered armchairs. Maybe it is the mismatched old fashioned bone china in which they serve their coffee, the wooden banister and exposed pipes or the incredible array of sandwiches and fritata... Maybe it is the fact that it is comfortably tucked away on Berwick Street in the heart of Soho... Most likely, it's all of the above.



I was first alerted to Foxcroft when researching for my Wardour Street post. A friend of mine worked in the area and heard that I was heading for Beatroot, across the road. He told me that he had recently switched allegiances and often got lunch at his new favourite cafe, and that it was the kind of place that I would love. It was called Foxcroft and Ginger. And so, Helena and I went to explore...

From the outside, it is easy to miss. Next door to an empty shop, it is dark and simple. When you step in it is small, with only a few upstairs seats. But it is an attractive little place- tiled walls, brickwork and wooden floors. The counter is laden with food, and it all looks home made and generous and gorgeous. A coffee break escalated into a lunch stop.

We went for the pumpkin fritata and a mammoth sandwich with (thick wedges of) goats cheese, fig, roast pepper, rocket, red onion in ciabatta bread. I like to think that LouLovesFood knows good food- and this was good. I go wild for anything with pumpkin in, and so the fritata was an obvious choice. It had an unusual but enjoyable texture; bubbly and soft like savoury blancmange.
The ciabatta was the best- our favourite- with a coating of oil, salt and herbs, as ciabatta should. It seemed to be made by someone who was slightly over excited by the task- filled with generous helpings of a massive variety of ingredients, resulting in an almost overwhelming depth and variety of flavour.
They were brought to us on wooden boards (cut in two so we could share= serious brownie points!) with super cute skinny knives and skinny forks. So full marks for presentation, too.

Every time I go in (and it has now been a few times...) I always eye up the hefty looking Toulouse sausage and onion jam ciabatta sandwiches- that might have to be on the agenda next time. Other food options include chorizo, honey roasted squash, basil and chilli mayo or halloumi and sweet potato salads. They have a brunch menu (my obsession with brunch is gathering momentum...) which boasts a selection of pastries, muesli, Eggs Benedict and English muffins with black pudding, scrambled egg and chives.

The ambiance is lovely; the staff are friendly and it is stylish whilst still being quiet and laid back. You can also pick up a loyalty card- I am steam rolling my way through mine.

Foxcroft and Ginger
3 Berwick Street, Soho, W14 ODR
www.foxcroftandginger.com

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