Simon W.
Yelp
Gorgeous. I thought I'd get the word in early, as it's the one that's front of mind regarding Soif. First, the food -the menu is an interesting confection of small plates and starters there are some things which can double up as mains, but you could quite happily order a selection of bits and pieces. Notable high points included a (nearly) beef tartare the silky meat, anchovies, capers and rosemary doing brillinatly without the traditional raw egg and quail with harrissa and yoghurt, chubby little birds spatchcocked and succulent. For the less meat obsessed, there are a good range of salads and fish, hake and skate both being on the menu at our visit. Small plates are in the £6-8 range, mains £16 and up. Desserts included a beautiful raspberry mousse, and a dark chocolate mousse with hazelnut sable. A bit of both was actually a winning combination.
Staff, my other obsession, were friendly, attentive, and helpful, and, it seems, almost entirely French, or at least Francophone. Bread and water kept coming without prompting, and they were right on the case when my wife mentioned, some time after her order, what she was allergic to.
But, it has to be said, no review of Semotely complete without a discussion of the winelist. It's big, and it's a little bit more sophisticated than most. You may do well to take direction from the sommelier, as there's plenty that won't often find in this country, for example some excellent white Vin de Savoie. Although wine is available by the glass, and there are some moderately priced bottles ( starting around the £20 mark), it would also be possible to spend quite a lot ( north of £60) . Which, actually , fits the concept of the place perfectly a convivial , wine-and-food establishment. I think the final seal of approval most come by noting the number of French speaking customers. Je reviens, j'espere. Or words to that effect.