Based on the ever more bustling Battersea rise the restaurant Soif has developed a bit of a following and reputation over the last couple of years. I’d heard good things from closer friends so it was about time a visit was done.
On the off-chance my better half (Katie as she shall now be known) and I arrived without a booking on a rainy Tuesday night – not too late into the evening and already the place had a nice buzz to it.
We were sat near the kitchen at what seemed an impossibly narrow table for two people comfortably dining. When i say ‘Impossibly’, I obviously exaggerate, but suffice it to say it wasn’t a square table and felt a bit odd. The menu seems quite British, with a contemporary twists and continental elements also.
Selections on offer include Duck Rilletes with Cornichons, Abruzzo Bean soup and Pork 
Rillons with Lentil Vinegrette & Bitter leaves for starterds – with mains showing items like Whole Dorset Crab & Mayonnaise and Red Wine Braised Rabbit Leg with Prunes, Chestnuts and Panceta, Onglet a l’echalotte with Pommes Frites.
We went for some Moules Mouclade to share as a starter and then the Lemon Sole Meunière and Pork Galette with January King Cabbage, Carrots and Crushed Potatoes.
The starter of Moules was not bad, the sauce was a little watery, and if anything the Moules were perhaps a little overcooked. The accompanying bread was clearly homemade and was pretty good actually.
The mains of Lemon Sole and the Pork Galette again weren’t bad, the Sole being well cooked and flaky with the Pork galette also not being too bad at all.
As far as a lot of things seem nice and appetising on the menu the food we were served was OK, but alas nothing beyond that. I don’t feel a lot of people will be shouting from the rooftops about it unfortunately. It is a shame as I had looked forward to it.
Ultimately its up to you. They do say they have a daily new menu, so it could be we were just unlucky and went on one of their slightly off days.
£25-30 per head including wine.
020 7223 1112
27 Battersea Rise, London, SW11 1HG
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