Princi

My thoughts on Princi are fairly straightforward.  I love it.

I love the beautiful food - whether it's the basically wicked cannoncini or fagottino alle mele, the stunning pan campagna baked in the on-site wood fired oven, or the pasta and salads I regularly buy for lunch at such reasonable prices.

I love the fact it looks so beautiful - smooth stone, airy space and running water.

I love the slightly grumpy but very glamorous staff, all of whom seem to be Italian.

I love the fact it is so Soho.  Only round the corner from Camisa, one of London's best Italian delis. 

It is open from breakfast through to late in the evening and frankly it's never the wrong time of day for a cannoncini.

It is an uncomplicated place that works very well.  I'm not saying it's the best Italian food in London, you wouldn't expect it to be at £6 for a container of cheesy-tomatoey, beautiful gnocchi, but it is damn good.  and that bread is some of the best I've had in London.  And in case I hadn't mentioned them before their pastries, especially the cannoncini are exceptionally good.  It is everything that is good about Italian food.  It is also no surprise that good-food-mass-appeal guru Alan Yau is one of the owners.

I hope Yau's involvement signals that Princi will be rolled out.  It's the kind of concept he's famed for doing very well.

If you're in any way unclear where I stand on Princi, please leave a comment below.

Google Maps
Google Earth (download)

Princi, 135 Wardour Street, London, W1F 0UT, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7478 8888

What others think

World Food Guide - Princi is going to be a fantastic place to hang out with friends - it’s hip but not snobbish, and most importantly, it’s affordable and the food is excellent.

Time Out - ...while extensive use of soothing limestone makes the hard surfaces of the modernist interior cosy, the expanse of glass cabinets displaying good things to eat – cakes, pizza, salads, hot meals – makes it irresistible.

Comments

[Douglas]

Intoxicating Prose really liked it too!

[Anthony Silverbrow]

@Douglas, pleased to hear it!

[Callie]

I stumbled upon Princi while walking through Soho one evening. I have only bought their loaves of bread but they are wonderful! The server's English wasn't great, but he was very nice. I think the interior decor is a bit overdone for a cafe type place. I would definitely return.

[Anthony Silverbrow]

I agree the interior isn't like your average caff, but it is beautiful and in all fairness, Princi's not an average caff either.