Wrap It Up!

Venue: Wrap It Up!

Food: Wraps – Burritos, fajitas, roti etc

Cost: £4-6

Rating: 67%

http://www.wrapitup.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrap-it-Up-World-Gourmet-Wraps/112657155458071

The latest player on the Soho wrap scene, the Wrap It Up! franchise cut its teeth in the City before moving westwards and landing in St. Annes Court with outlet number four. It certainly created a buzz with opening week discounts and successful free lunch day.

Much respect to franchise owner Faisal and his expansion tactics. They have found a good location, the brand itself is strong and Internet engagement encouraging, as was witnessed by the lengthy queue of bargain hunters seeking free feeding. Given this, there is surprisingly no current Twitter engagement. My question regarding this was met with bemusement by a member of staff, who asked me “What is Twitter?”…

As I often say, ultimately a wrap is a wrap. I like the idea behind 5 different nationalities of wrap under one roof and takeaway Fajitas are a relative rarity, but on the flip side Wrap It Up! lacks the specialisation of a Benito’s Hat or Yalla Yalla. A big positive is the tiered system of sizes and prices, so rarely found in takeaway establishments of this kind. I assume this is something designed to appeal to the female market, who do not wish to be confronted by a burrito accounting for half their body weight on a Tuesday lunchtime.

Sadly, despite having many virtues, the whole package did not quite come together.  Whilst the quality of ingredients is not in doubt, I have already experienced a Fajita and heard tale of a burrito that were not warmed through enough, while a Caribbean roti (with curried lamb) had a disappointing dough, but this may have possibly been a victim of speedy mass production on free lunch day. It is also currently quite a bleak establishment (décor wise) and lacking a little soul. 

Although I can optimistically overlook the negatives and am happy to allow time for improvement before a final conclusion, first impressions from my colleagues were not overwhelmingly positive. In short, a few small improvements might go a very long way indeed.

Taste 6

Portion size 8

Service 7

Speed 7

Originality 6

Choice 8

Workability 7

Office response 4

Value for money 6

Brand 8

Overall: 67%

Yalla Yalla

Venue: Yalla Yalla, Greens Court

Food: Beirut Street Food

Cost: £4

Rating: 78%

www.yalla-yalla.co.uk

“What’s Yalla Yalla?”

“It’s Beirut Street Food”

“Beirut Street Food??”

The Q&A session above has by no means been held just once. “Beirut Street Food” inevitably provokes an inquisitive response, as people demand to know more…and for good reason.

Set in the seedy underbelly of Soho on Greens Court alleyway is the bustling little gem Yalla Yalla, bringing a small piece of Lebanon to the heart of London. I suggest Greens Court is definitely not the type of alleyway frequently used by anyone other than people searching for Yalla Yalla or neighbouring businesses, so it really must thrive on word of mouth!

With an instantly appealing name (never underestimate), quirky interior design and most importantly serving good quality and authentic Lebanese wraps, mezze and pastries, Yalla Yalla is an essential addition to your Soho lunching roster.

I recently had the pleasure of both taking out and dining in, sampling a range of their offerings from lamb and chicken shawarmas to Soujoc sausages and manaee zaatar pastry. High standard, good value (at around the £4 mark).

Yalla Yalla suffers the same problem as a number of other Soho establishments in the queuing department. Space is at a premium and my two colleagues (HC/BG) and I were in a constant state of shuffling about the premises to avoid new customers, until in a moment of divine inspiration it dawned on us that it was easier for two of us to wait outside. 

I equally fear that seated customers might feel quite claustrophobic at busy times with the sheer volume of traffic brushing past their ears - a long counter is primarily used to exhibit the options available, resulting in a bottleneck effect for people ordering.

Nevertheless, whilst Middle Eastern/North African cuisine is by no means off the radar in Soho, Yalla Yalla’s concentration on takeaway sets it apart from the likes of Kaslik or (slightly further afield) Souk and its’ range of options distinguishes it from, say, Hummus Bros.

A very cool restaurant, Yalla Yalla is intimate enough to confirm you have stumbled off the beaten track, but busy enough to back up its quality.  Appropriate for a long lunch or evening bite as much as for its takeaway, I fully recommend you take the trip.

Taste 8

Portion size 7

Service 6

Speed 6

Originality 9

Choice 8

Workability 8

Office response 9

Value for money 8

Brand 9

Overall: 78%