Italian Delights

With it pistachio-coloured facade and the 1930s lettering, this shop is an unmistakable old-timer. It was first opened around the corner, and relocated to its current site after the Second World War. The Filippi family, from Piacenza, near Milan, bought the shop in 1974, when the original owner (the eponymous Lina) retired, and it is currently run by Tony and Gabriella Filippi, as a family business. The have not altered the décor, and it layout remains as it was in the 40s, with long counter stretching the length of the shop, behind which are shelves stacked high with wonderful Italian delights.Tony makes fresh pasta on-site daily and sells it on to restaurants in Soho. The recipe for his popular garlic and wine sausages comes from his hometown in Italy and was handed down to him by a local butcher when he was ten years old.The delicatessen is well know and much loved, and is used regularly by television chefs Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson.

A User - 08/11/2006 | report this review