Lorelei

I first went to the Lorelei in Bateman Street Soho way back in the 60's - met my boyfriend there for coffee before we went to Le Kilt in Greek Street. It looked pretty much the same then as it does now - except for the missing jukebox which had an amazing selection of songs from Piaf to pop of the day. I always hope to see it there again but guess it got broken and never mended. London was beginning to swing it was really buzzing in the evenings and there was often a queue to get in.

In the years that followed I have gone there occasionally, taken my children and friends and yes nothing has changed - same owners, same menu, hasn't been decorated but that is a really good thing - apart from Bar Italia I can't think of any other coffee bars from that period that have survived. It is special for that reason and yes they do make their own pizza - why else would you have sacks of flour?

If you want a truly vintage experience - which is all the rage these days - get some friends together dress up, take your own wine and go and live la dolce vita - maybe if enough of us go they will be able to afford to reinstate the jukebox complete with the original records. This place is really special.
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Chrissy Young
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, July 23, 2011

An overdue first visit at lunch today. The place was quiet, to the point that when I arrives at ipm I peered through the window to find no signs of life. I tried the door and somewhat to my surprise I stepped inside to a small room with a feel of the 1960's at latest and appliances to match, together with a huge mural of the eponymous river nymph or whatever she was on a rock overlooking the Rhine. An elderly bloke emerged and said--well nothing. I asked whether the place was open - no customers, no tables made up, no cooking smells you understand, and got a grunt to that effect. I asked whether i could get a pizza, and he said "which one" to which I responded that it might be nice to see a menu before deciding at that. Not many drinks- no wine, no green tea. I took a seat. It was hard to choose seeing as they were all empty.

The pizza arrived and it was ok. About the size of a Pizza Express, but thick crust and rustic. It was OK. If you come here thinking that the pizzas are unusual or unusually good, then you might be disappointed. . I think you 'd have to be big on quirky to fall in love with Lorelei. Some places survive to a ripe old age because they have always provided a great product, nicely, to an appreciative audience. Other places survive because the owners turn up every day. It would be interesting to see how a similar concept would fare under the guidance of a younger, fresher management. In fact it was my second pizza this week , the first being at Franca Manca in Brixton market.- about the same price, equally quirky but more vibrant and actually a better pizza. .
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David Henderson
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 03, 2011

This place serves really good, interesting pizzas. It's got bags of atmosphere and you can bring your own and have a great time. It's an antidote to all the bland chains around that serve you homogenised 'food' . Enjoy before it's swept away.
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norm
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I was shocked to read the glowing reviews, albeit from over a year ago which might explain the huge difference between my experience and those of previous diners. We were after some authentic Italian pizza and a friend recommended this joint. It certainly looked the part, with enormous bags of flour piled up on a wooden stool by the door, the formica tables and the 'bring your own' policy.

The menu seemed promising and, more importantly, very reasonably priced. However, all illusions were shattered as soon as the food arrived (which incidentally was extremely soon indeed...never a good sign). The individual pizzas looked fake and tasted like a frozen supermarket own brand. The dough was tough and dry; the topping bland (I ordered a Margarita with added chillies) but inedible due to the sheer amount of chillies they had put on it.

One of the worst pizzas I've ever had without a shadow of a doubt! I left hungry and wishing I'd gone to the Pizza Express around the corner which, I'm sure, would have been far superior (and I can't stand chains!)
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Paula
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, October 27, 2009