Readers of the Chip Diaries may remember that we have visited some of London's Poppies chip shops previously. Firstly the restaurant in Spitalfields, and then the kiosk at Spitalfields Market.
On this occasion one of the Chip Fiends found themselves hungry in Soho and eager to shelter from a typically British downpour to dry off. I made way to Poppies on Old Compton Street, situated at the famous site of the 2ii's Coffee Bar where clean-living pop idols such as Tommy Steele burst onto the music scene in the late 1950s.
The interior of Poppies Soho reflects the rock 'n' roll theme with posters of Elvis on the walls (as well as autographed photos of Leslie Ash, Bob Monkhouse, Roy Castle and Terry Wogan)...
Although the restaurant was busy on this day, it was well-staffed and service was extremely brisk. I ordered the homemade fish cakes and chips with a side of homemade mushy peas. Some of Poppies Pale Ale brewed by Five Points helped to quench my thirst.
The fish cakes were very good. More fish than potato in content and held in shape by a thin crispy layer of breadcrumbs. The homemade peas were lovely. The serving would have fed two or three people and I couldn't manage all of them. The golden chips were also very good. The meal came to about £18. (The 'optional' service charge of £1.99 is cheekily already added to the bill). No retro sweets came with the bill like they had done at Spitalfield's restaurant in 2015.
Sadly it was time to leave the cheery atmosphere of this busy Soho eatery and the 1980s pop soundtrack and step back into the grey, rain-dashed streets.
Ratings out of 5:
Fish cakes 4
Chips: 4
Mushy peas 5
Shop / service 4
Over all 4
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