There are few things that can rival the simple pleasure of a perfectly made sandwich. Not the limp bread or uninspired fillings too often found at lunchtime, but a generous, carefully balanced creation that feels like a proper meal. When done well, the right sandwich can become a proper tasting experience instead of just a simple snack.
Over the past decade, certain names in the world of sandwiches have attracted almost cult-like devotion. Footage of towering schiacciata breads, stuffed with layer upon layer of Italian ingredients, has filled social media, with queues in Florence and beyond snaking down the street each day.
For British food enthusiasts, the chance to try one of these famous creations has until now meant a trip abroad that could cost you hundreds of pounds.
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That is no longer the case. Florence’s celebrated sandwich brand institution, All’Antico Vinaio, has officially opened its doors in Soho — with its site at 61 Old Compton Street marking the group’s first UK location, joining existing branches in Italy and the United States, where it has already expanded to New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
The UK is now the seventh country to welcome the brand, following its rapid international growth after notable success in the US.
All’Antico Vinaio has been a family-run business for more than three decades, established by the Mazzanti family in Florence. Its hallmark is the freshly baked Florentine flatbread known as schiacciata, generously filled with traditional Italian ingredients.
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The Soho location occupies the space once home to the much-loved deli I Camisa & Son, and serves the sandwiches that built its reputation in Tuscany.
On the menu are established favourites: La Favolosa, made with sbriciolona salami, pecorino cream, artichoke cream and spicy aubergine; La Schiacciata del Boss, with prosciutto crudo, pecorino, truffle cream and rocket; and La Toscana, featuring salami, pecorino, sun-dried tomatoes and onion cream. In addition, Londoners can expect a number of bespoke creations designed especially for this branch.
The brand’s reputation precedes it. In 2014, All’Antico Vinaio was named the most-reviewed restaurant in the world on TripAdvisor, a reflection of its widespread popularity among locals and visitors alike. Its arrival in London has generated considerable anticipation, suggesting the capital may be set for queues of its own.
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Tommaso Mazzanti, representing the family business, expressed the significance of the expansion: “I’m truly honoured to open our first location in the UK, especially in such an important city like London. This marks a crucial milestone in All’Antico Vinaio’s growth, and we hope to replicate the success we’ve had in the US. This is the seventh country where we’re opening AV, driven by our passion for sharing a piece of Italian culinary tradition with the world.”
For those eager to sample one of the world’s most talked-about sandwiches, All’Antico Vinaio is now open in Soho.
Ben Williams