Princi

Step into Soho’s Milanese Heart

Soho is one of London’s most diverse culinary landscapes, thanks to the huge variety of interesting restaurants, street food vendors and back street cafés. Princi is yet another example, presenting itself as the perfect slice of Milanese pizza culture. The restaurant itself has a very ‘Milan’ style with its golden tables and travertine stone walls. There is a constant flow of warm aromas wafting from the exposed pizza oven and bakery, drawing in any who dare wander past, including me.

Before, the gilded interior and well-dressed clientele had convinced me I couldn’t afford a meal at Princi, but this time the hankering for pizza was too strong. I snagged a table just before lunch hour, sitting by a window perfectly placed for watching the Soho streets drift by. From where I was sat I could also see the traditional wood burning pizza oven and the chefs expertly flipping the pizza dough. I loved that they’d placed overflowing caskets of ingredients around the kitchen, in full view of the restaurant. It added something unique and emphasised the freshness of it all.

After ordering a Moretti beer, I scanned the menu to see a host of delicious sounding Italian delights, including pasta dishes, salads, soups and of course, pizza. I figured I’d try something extravagant so I opted for the ‘Diavola’ (£10.50), which came with Ventricina salami, chilli, mozzarella and a tomato base (I think I’m a part-time vegetarian at this point). There is the much cheaper option of a simple ‘Margherita’ (£5.50) if you’re on a budget, although it wouldn’t be too interesting to write about!

My pizza arrived within minutes (literally three), and I got stuck into what was probably the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life. You could taste the vibrancy of every ingredient, from the succulent salami to the richness of the mozzarella and it was all enhanced by the incredible flavours generated within the giant pizza oven. It came with chilli oil, a chilli paste and a small pot of dried oregano for extra seasoning; not that it needed any in my personal opinion but it was a nice touch.

Princi is by far and away the most authentic Italian experience you can have in Soho and I can’t honestly recommend it enough. If you don’t want to eat in the more traditional pizzeria half, you can always grab a seat in the bakery where you can pick and choose from the immense selection of pre-made dishes.

Tom Gill

TripTide User