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Lina Stores Soho

Italian·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Lina Stores Soho

Bronze Award

Opened in 1944, legendary Soho deli Lina Stores has managed to survive the sky-high rents and glossy redevelopments that have claimed so many of the area’s Italian old-timers. Now, it has produced a bambino: a “truly authentic” debut pasta restaurant just a few minutes’ walk away on Greek Street.

Here, the exterior proudly displays Lina’s signature green-and-white colour scheme, which is continued inside the tiny space. Try to bag a seat at the counter and watch the chefs at work (all pasta is made on site daily); alternatively, head to the basement, where the tables are packed tuna-can tight and chatting is easier. Either way, fans reckon that “the passion of the staff is contagious”.

To start, we were won over by some lusciously fatty strips of slow-roasted pork belly sandwiched between slices of crisp ciabatta, and also by the meat-free aubergine polpette with San Marzano tomatoes.  Also check out the arancini involving black trompette mushrooms, Taleggio and Gorgonzola.

However, it’s all about the main event: readers say that Lina’s is “pasta heaven at incredible prices” and we’ve also been impressed: gamey veal ravioli features tender chunks of meat wrapped in delicate parcels with a smattering of breadcrumbs providing some added crunch, while sticky green gnudi also makes for a heavenly plateful, the smooth ricotta and herb filling melting on the tongue.

In comparison, we were underwhelmed by an overcooked, dry slice of Amarena cherry and almond tart offered for dessert. Much better was a zesty Blood Orange Bellini. Our advice? Skip pud and order another plate of pasta (plus a cocktail) – your dough will be well spent at Lina’s.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Italian
Eat at Home
Home delivery, Takeaway service
Ambience
Cool, Lively
Special Features
Counter dining
Perfect for
Dates
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Known across the city as the place to go for fine yet unfussy, delicious Italian food, Lina Stores are renowned for their fresh pasta and sauces, delicious meats, formaggi and antipasti. This Soho spot is just around the corner from the chain's original delicatessen on Brewer Street. The first of the Lina Stores restaurants, the Greek Street location serves traditional pasta dishes that take their inspiration from the deli, along with a selection of great sides and desserts.

Bocconi is the first section on the menu, and includes salame finocchiona, green cerignola olives and sea salt and rosemary focaccia with extra virgin olive oil. The antipasti options sound truly divine, with dishes of fried ricotta and herb gnudi with calabrian chilli marmellata, cuore di bue tomato with anchovy, tropea onion and basil, and black angus beef carpaccio with lemon, rocket and grana padano.

The pasta dishes are decent but its worth ordering a few for the table, as they aren't huge portions. The pici alla norcina is made with umbrian sausage, porcini mushroom and grana padano, whilst the burrata ravioli is perhaps one of the showstoppers, topped with batterini tomato, pine nuts and basil. Lovers of all things indulgent will enjoy the 30-egg yolk tagliolini with black truffle, butter and parmigiano reggiano, whilst the linguine with crab, Amalfi lemon, chilli and garlic is a wonderful choice for something refreshing.

If you've got room for dessert, try the pistachio or fior di latte sorbetti e gelati, but if you prefer a kick with your ice cream, try the coffee affogato. The chocolate mousse comes paired with salted caramel, whilst the cannolis are available with fillings of ricotta, pistachio and chocolate.

Location

51 Greek Street, Soho, London, W1D 4EH

020 3929 0068 020 3929 0068

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-14:30
Tue 12:00-14:30
Wed 12:00-14:30
Thu 12:00-14:30
Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon 17:00-23:00
Tue 17:00-23:00
Wed 17:00-23:00
Thu 17:00-23:00
Fri Closed
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
All day
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri 12:00-23:00
Sat 12:00-23:00
Sun Closed

Reviews

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6 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Veronica V

06 August 2019  
Incredible vibes and delicious small plates at a great price point.

Anon

26 July 2019  
Really fresh pasta, great prices, friendly team! Nice wine selection too. Cosy, feels really intimate and you leave there feeling great.

Brian M

09 April 2019  
Real and totally authentic Italian food. Absolutely brilliant pasta dishes.

David H

05 January 2019  
Food & Drink 2
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 2
Value 2.5
Bland bland bland; so disappointing.
I don't often review a restaurant twice, especially just a few months after our first visit - which on balance we enjoyed. Strangely enough the major disappointment today was its strength last time, the pasta dishes. We tried three today. None of the sauces had much flavour at all - the gnocchi dish certainly didn't taste of goose, and their attempt at cacio e pepe was frankly derisory - with no pecorino flavour at all emerging. The very small pasta portions were warm, soggy and virtually tasteless. This isn't what we got last time at all. The red wine was rather sharp - simply not well made I expect. The weaknesses apparent on our last visit were all still apparent today, the place is still very cramped and not comfortable enough, and it's very noisy. Both of these aspects were raised with staff last July and we were told that those points were fully recognised and would be acted on. But no change for the better was visible today. Service today was brisk and friendly -as it was last time. Our bill for two starters, bread and three pasta courses, 500cl plus a glass of wine was £75. We left before dessert and coffee, and frankly as they want the table back after just 80 minutes we wouldn't have had time for them anyway. I'd have been delighted to pay that if we'd enjoyed the meal, but as I've said before, there's no such thing as a fair price for poor food, and sadly that's what we had today in a restaurant that has demonstrated an ability to do better. We won't go back. We will return to Bancone, where a similar concept is delivered -so far at least- much better.

David H

29 July 2018  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3
Atmosphere 1.5
Value 3.5
Food is good, but cramped and very noisy
The menu tells you much of what you need to know. Not a huge amount of choice - its basically a framework for Lina's pasta. So rustic, and none the worse for that, but don't go expecting a gourmet experience. The pasta dishes are what they describe as "pasta size" relating back to the Italian habit of serving pasta as a kind of large starter rather than a main course. So here's the thing; for most people I suspect they'll need a starter ('nduja is great; prosciutto decent) and probably 3 pastas between 2 as your main- more if you're ravenous. Now the pastas may not be huge, but they are certainly cooked nicely and very tasty. So the food's good. Now then, the place. Its not large and all the seating except bar stools is in the basement. The place was busy at lunch. It is frankly cramped and as a function of acoustics its a very loud experience, and quiet conversation with your dining companion pretty much out of the question; this could be the worst first-date restaurant anywhere! And there's nowhere to put backpacks of which there were quite a few, and things get in the way. Frankly the food is worth a better environment than this. And especially so view of the fact that it's good value. Our 2 starters, three pastas, two glasses of decent house wine , a cocktail, and service came to £63. clearly I can speak only for us, but we'd be more than happy to pay another 15% for a bit more space and the ability to sustain a conversation! Service is decent, friendly, explains the concept of the place nicely. And its not too brisk; pace about right. We enjoyed it, & we'll go again, even if we have to remember the ear defenders!

Binita S

27 June 2018  
Pasta heaven at incredible prices! The service is spot on the vibe casual and simple flavours but deliver a punch.
Delivery or takeaway

Order takeaway from Lina Stores Soho by calling 020 3929 0068.
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020 3929 0068 020 3929 0068

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