Dino's

Venue: Salu Meria Dino a.k.a. Dino’s, Charlotte Place

Food: Sandwiches

Cost: ~£4

Rating: 74% 

Set in the throng of quality food establishments around the Goodge Street/Charlotte Street area just north of Soho you can find Dino’s of Charlotte Place. One of a number of family-run Italian delis in the area, it specialises in sandwiches of all varieties.

Although to my mind it loses out to Camisa on Old Compton Street in the Italian deli stakes, as it simply does not have the colossal variety of ingredients that Camisa boasts (although it does have the larger choice of breads), it nevertheless delivers an excellent lunchtime sandwich. Particular mention to the spicy salami and their staple, the parma ham, mozzarella and tomato, which I was informed is their “biggest seller by a distance”.

Top marks to the friendly welcome received from the owners, who clearly understand the fundamental importance of a quick chat to ensuring customers return. Avoid the 1pm rush, as queues can get lengthy on occasion (especially on Fridays for some reason).

One word of warning. A colleague of mine somehow managed to split his lip open when taking a first bite out of a Dino’s ciabatta. Though I find all their breads perfectly edible and hazard-free, those possessing delicate lips may wish to ‘go safe’ with focaccia…

Taste 8

Portion size 7

Service 10

Speed 8

Originality 6

Choice 7

Workability 8

Office response 7

Value for money 8

Brand 5

Overall: 74%