Walk around Soho today, and one thing becomes immediately clear – there’s change afoot. Towering new buildings surrounded by scaffolding, entire streets being redeveloped, rents rising, old businesses closing; it’s a time of transition for one of central London’s most famous areas. While this is no doubt good news for property developers, many are lamenting the loss of community spirit and independent business – none more so than Jeremy Lee, the head chef of Soho’s own Quo Vadis.
It’s for that very reason that we spent a day with Jeremy walking the streets of Soho, documenting his favourite places to eat, drink and shop. There were many places we didn’t have time to visit – Koya, Hoppers, Bocca di Lupo and Bar Termini being the most notable exceptions – but it was refreshing to see that, despite the rising rents and threat of developers, many independent and historic businesses are still thriving in Soho. From century-old patisseries to contemporary Thai, it’s still a place teeming with good food and drink.