Reviews of Social Bite

I've just had their coconut chicken curry and it was excellent. Actually, everything I've bought her has been excellent, but that's only part of the point - the profits going to help homeless people, the fact that they help folk regain their dignity and get back into employment, and that all I need to do to support that is choose to buy my lunch on a different shop is a wonderful concept. And even better, I can help more by buying a meal or a drink for someone who needs it more than I do for them to eat/drink when they choose.

Not only are the food and service excellent, the whole thing is geared to the eradication of homelessness. The profits from the cafe and restaurant go towards the provision of hot food and drinks for local homeless people. This is fantastic and we should all pile in here regularly to support the cause.

I tried out the Social Bite Rose Street shop a while back. The West End shop, which I can see from my window, is just as good. I have several loyalty cards since I never find one when I’m in and enjoy getting a star or a heart on them. I’m a fan of Social Bite’s soups – hearty and good – and have a special fondness for the avocado and Parmesan wrap. There are also salads, noodles and sandwiches on offer, as well as cakes and tray bakes that look really nice. I’m intrigued by the lemon drizzle cake which I think has rosemary in it.<br/><br/>Soup, wrap and piece of fruit (meal deal): £4.50

I once played alongside a professional footballer and also against him. He was a defender and I was a striker, I turned him and scored. Why does that matter you ask? Well because Social Bite have a Mitchelin Starred chef as their director and make a big song and dance about it and how the food is following his recipes. Unfortunately it's only his recipes as the food does fall flat in many aspects.<br/><br/>I recently indulged in the £4.95 meal deal, a Mexican Chicken Wrap, Pea and Ham soup and a banana. Quite why it was a piece of fruit rather than juice is a strange choice. The Mexican Chicken itself had a decent flavour to it, but it was also very dry, making it hard to swallow. The soup was alright, there were nice big chunks throughout, but unfortunately there was about two slithers of ham.<br/><br/>For the price you pay the food doesn't match up. But, the work that Social Bite does do is fantastic, with a lot of money raised going to good causes and their schemes to get homeless people into work is to be applauded.

We reviewed the first branch of Social Bite, on Rose Street, shortly after it opened, in August 2012. Indeed, it topped our list of places for a takeaway lunchtime treat in this year’s Lunchquest Guide. It was with considerable glee that we spotted a new branch opening on Shandwick Place, so took the opportunity to visit, on their second day of trading.<br/><br/>The shop continues the green and wood décor from the first shop, but adds a nice sit-in dining area, with smart booth seats. It has a really good feel to it.<br/><br/>Their menu packs in their signature range of high-value, flavour-packed items. I was visiting at breakfast time, so was hooked-in by the mention of a banana, peanut butter and honey bagel. Along with a filter coffee or tea, this is available as a breakfast deal for £2.99.<br/><br/>I took a seat and waited while my item was prepared. The wonderfully friendly counter woman waited until the bagel was ready before making my coffee, so it was fresh and hot. It was a really nice point of detail, which impressed me.<br/><br/>The bagel was every bit as impressive. It was one of those gloriously messy eats, which evoked memories of childhood face stuffing. I’m currently in possession of a rather fulsome beard, which came in rather handy in catching stickily delicious morsels, as they escaped. It was a glorious way to start the day.<br/><br/>Social Bite’s social business model includes the option to add in “suspended” coffees and food, where you can pay upfront for an item that can subsequently be picked up by a homeless person in need. It’s a great model, now in use in a number of other places around the city, such as Union of Genius.<br/><br/>So overall, it was a delight to visit Social Bite, again. The business seems to be going from strength to strength, and they’ve picked a good spot for their second shop, particularly now the tram works that blighted this part of town for many years have now concluded. I’d strongly recommend a visit, as what they have on offer is tremendously good, and their business principles are entirely commendable.<br/><br/>Scores<br/>Blythe scores Social Bite<br/>4.5/5 for food<br/>4/5 for presentation<br/>4/5 for setting<br/>4/5 for service<br/>giving an overall 16.5/20<br/><br/>I ate: banana, peanut butter and honey bagel<br/><br/>I drank: coffee<br/><br/>I wore: matching tie and handkerchief<br/><br/>Total bill: £3.49