Marked by its pleasing signature fountain green colour (both in and out) and renowned for top-quality salamis, cheeses, breads and home-made tortelloni, Lina Stores remains, along with the one surviving branch of I Camisa (in Old Compton St), the definition of Italian food shopping in London. And positioned in gay- and media-mad Soho, it draws a colourful clientele. Original Genova-born owner Lina moved her business (started in 1944) from nearby Rupert St. to the current Brewer St. location, the...
Marked by its pleasing signature fountain green colour (both in and out) and renowned for top-quality salamis, cheeses, breads and home-made tortelloni, Lina Stores remains, along with the one surviving branch of I Camisa (in Old Compton St), the definition of Italian food shopping in London. And positioned in gay- and media-mad Soho, it draws a colourful clientele. Original Genova-born owner Lina moved her business (started in 1944) from nearby Rupert St. to the current Brewer St. location, then 30 years later retired, with members of her staff taking over. In 1978 they sold the business to the Filippis, whose daughter Gabriella and husband Tony Saccomani ran the operation from the early 90s until 2012, when their son-in-law Massimo took over. A major upgrade in 2010 fine-tuned the interior, thankfully with a certain regard for the original atmosphere. The shop's emphasis is on take-home Italian provisions, but the deli counter also offers takeaway lunch possibilities, both savoury (excellent sandwiches) and sweet (home-made canoli etc), with tables outside in the alleyway. And you can now sip on an espresso while waiting. In May 2018 a full-throttle and local-feeling restaurant version of the deli opened five minutes away at 51 Greek St [see entry], with reasonably priced pasta and gnocchi dishes and desserts. And in November 2019 a full-on seven-day restaurant/deli opened in Kings Cross (20 Stable St, N1C 4DR). Another branch of the deli opened in Marylebone in 2022. A series 2 episode of STANLEY TUCCI: SEARCHING FOR ITALY, though without the host (a Lina regular).