| Covent Garden can be a bit of a haven for brash city-boy bars, so Itchy approached Souk Medina with some trepidation. We stumbled through an intriguing candle-lit tunnel and found ourselves led into another world. The smell of mint and spices hits you first and then you clock the Moroccan finery, with lamps and poufs scattered everywhere. This place will have Elle Deco aficionados wetting themselves with glee.
Local office workers and cool kids mimic the chattering of the souks for you, while waiters hand out fez hats (time to roll out the Tommy Cooper gags) and hookahs. So far, so good. Hookahs and poufs, who could ask for anything more? Ahem. Well, tagines for under a tenner are a good start. Mind you, the menus are draped in animal skins, so it's probably best to leave the veggie crew at home.
The place is cavernous, so it's a top spot in Covent G for resting your pins after a shopping spree on Neal Street. There are two floors full of low level seating, so you're pretty much guaranteed a pew. Itchy also had a peek downstairs and were soon discussing the prospect of an epic party. Souk Medina: way cheaper than a trip to Marrakesh, minus the snorting camels and touchy-feely hassle from slipper-sellers. Huzzah!
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