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There are times when a simple sandwich will not hit the spot. Those are the times to turn to the baguette, Bánh Mi or belly-bursting wrap.
Viet Baguette
14 Charlotte Place, W1
(www.vietbaguette.net)
The great French colonial legacy is good bread, and whether you are talking Beirut or Vietnam they left behind a liking for pukka baguettes. The Vietnamese have put their own subtle twist on the filled baguette and call it “Bánh Mi”. Try “Caramel chicken” — chicken in a caramel
sauce with black pepper and ginger — (£3.70) or the “hot lemongrass beef meatball” (£5).
Apostrophe
42 Great Eastern Street, EC2 (020 7739 8412, www.apostropheuk.com)
A light, bright and modern French-style bakery chain. There's a host of excellent baked goods and the baguettes are filling and great value. Good combinations are houmus, spinach, roast pine nuts and red onion (£2.95); salami, rocket, light mayo, chilli jam (£3.70); and brie, pear, watercress (£2.85).
Mooli's
50 Frith Street, W1 (www.moolis.com)
Mooli's opened in Soho earlier this month, offering a fresh take on Indian street food of the old Delhi-meets-Tokyo kind. Try bulging homemade roti — just bigger than a normal wrap but smaller than a burrito — with fresh fillings and “zesty salsas, vibrant chutneys and crunchy salad”, the Keralan beef, scrambled paneer or slow-cooked Goan pork (from £3.50).
Paul
29 Bedford Street, WC2
(020 78365321, www.paul-uk.com)
Paul is another invading French baker. The cakes and pastries are elegant, the various breads are traditional and the sandwiches are very good. They're built around a white, doughy, soft roll — try the spicy chicken or the Jambon cru with camembert (both £3.95).
Rossodisera
5 Monmouth Street, WC2
(020 7240 3683)
It's hard to see why a small Italian restaurant/sandwich shop should specialise in baguettes rather than ciabatta but Rossodisera is baguette heaven. A board proclaims that ingredients are from the Marche region of Italy. The “Infernaccio” teams salami and pecorino cheese (£3.60); the Rossodisera is a combination of speck, sliced pears and gorgonzola (£3.90).
Reader views (6)
I love sandwiches (and all food actually). I am more of a quantity over quality man so i recommend Fuzzy's Grub in St James's. My dream is a whole roast lunch in a bun - in fact my dream is two of them...
- Friar Tuck, London, 20/11/2009 16:32
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Another fine sandwich can be found in the little known cafe called V's Place on Marylebone Lane. It really does serve up a fine club sandwich and although i do not eat Tuna (and not for green reasons), I am told it does a fine Tuna Melt. Maid Marion once muttered the immortal words...'It is V Place to go'
- Brother Bolle, London, 20/11/2009 16:20
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Viet baguette should be given credit for bringing banh mi to Central London but it's so sad if the British public really think that this is banh mi. From the decoration to the menu suggests to me that they are really a Thai, or at best pan-Asian (which is never a good thing) place and just piggybacking on the banh mi hype in London. I know people love coconut sauce in Thai food but please leave that out of banh mi. Also, my pork special was lifted out from the window display, cold, and given a squirt of chili sauce, whereas banh mi should always be made to order with fresh bread.
- Andrew, London, 20/11/2009 14:22
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Brother Bolle profound words! Finos does the most fantastic roast beef sandwich and if you fancy a bottle of claret afterwards they even have a wine bar accross the road! Really the only way to spend a friday afternoon!!
- Brother Macon, London, 20/11/2009 14:18
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I am dissappointed to see some chains on this list. Our sandwich club has covered an extensive range of outlets and we always find the individual retailers are far superior. Tsc mentioned Finos - that is without doubt the best sandwich in London. Fact.
- Brother Bolle, London, 20/11/2009 12:19
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The best sandwich in the west end is from Finos on Mount Street! Exquisite! The above list is a very average choice!!
- Tsc, London, 20/11/2009 10:29
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