north st. deli

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Day 1185 Will you cover that?

Nice little rush to start the morning has put me in a right good mood, i’m going to take this happy feeling and decimate it by calling an insurance company. Insurance is a crooked industry, I once met a guy that insured insurance companies. In a ideal world I wouldn’t have insurance, it’s a scam, sold as a necessity when in reality you’re paying for a hypothetical. I was asked ‘do you need motor legal insurance?’ I replied ‘I don’t know if i’m going to hit anyone in the next year’. Piss take.

Salads:

Chickpea curry

Herbed rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Roast pepper + white bean

Day 1184 The slow life

I had a super lazy day after work, a total couch potato. Another day has arrived and i’m still feeling lethargic, hopefully something will zip me up soon, i’m on my third coffee and all it’s done is made me need to pee. I’ve filled my time with chit chat, but now my voice is irritating me so I’m recluse in the basement, saving the general population from my tedious talks.

Salads:

Braised beans + roast peppers

Rosemary + lemon rice

Spring greens + tomato pasta

Soup: Thai spiced chickpea

Day 1183 How times have changed

Back when I was but a small child I would arrange to meet my friends at the bus stop in the morning. There was a 10 minute grace period, if one of us was a no show we’d go on alone to our educational institution. A life before mobile phones, a life before you were expected to be at anyone’s beck and call at any given time, a life before smart phones made us somewhat inept, antisocial and selfish. Autocorrect is ducking brilliant though.

Salads:

Thai coconut chickpea curry

Lemongrass rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola piccante, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1182 Back to life, back to reality

I had an enchanted weekend, I was so detached from reality it seemed a bit surreal when I got home and sat on my sofa. Open the blinds and let the grey reality set back in, we’re back. On to planning the next getaway, it’s important to have something to look forward to. I wonder what everyone else got up to.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Broccoli, chilli + potato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Smoked mozzarella, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1181 Buona Pasqua

It’s Friday vibes on a Thursday people. We’ll be close for the Easter weekend, Hallelujah! I’ve found the general population little testing as of late so a good dose of natural beauty ought to rejuvenate my tolerance for BS. I need a break from this sitcom of a deli, the absurd situations that come through the door provide entertainment for sure but it also contributes unnecessary irritation. See you next Tuesday.

Salads:

Mushroom + many bean salad with croutons + smoked mozzarella dressing

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Smoked mozzarella, chilli relish + tomato

Day 1180 Served with fava beans and a nice Chianti

I had one of the diva customers in yesterday and unfortunately for him, I had an epiphany at the beginning of the year. Why to I cater to his BS? So I made some necessary changes and started treating him like a normal individual, he’s not a happy bunny. Thing is, bunnies are a source of food from my part of the world. So when he expressed his discontent, I roasted him. He can’t of been that hurt, honey was in this morning for a macchiato, served with a smile!

Salads:

Mexican beans

Spinach + herb rice

Courgette, tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Smoked mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1179 Waiting for the weekend

Put your tank tops away, the rain is back. It was all feeling a little too dry anyway I guess. It’s been a calm morning which had given me the opportunity to sort out some of life’s boring admin. I can’t wait for this long weekend, we’re heading to the Wye Valley! A long weekend of hikes, food and shrooms to encourage a break from the mundane. Glorious!

Salads:

Braised chickpea + aubergine

Lemon + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Parma ham, Provola, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1178 Close the chatterbox

Dogs defined my weekend. Many adventures were had with random 4 legged beasts, it was bliss. I think I enjoy dogs because they don’t require conversation. We sit, enjoy the sun and are free from life’s petty quarrels, only thinking about our next meal. I’d say my life is surprisingly drama free if you think about the amount of people I talk to and the amount I talk. There’s a science to it.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry with roast squash

Kimchi rice

Broccoli + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Beetroot + chickpea salad with tahini dressing

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Garlic salami, pecorino cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1177 Big boys like to cry too

Normah’s was great but as suspected, overhyped. I think people are just astounded by a one woman show, props to her. We were relatively quiet yesterday, which I welcome as it’s nice to have a break from the carnage. In this quiet time someone took their chance to air out a petty grievance with me. I’ve taken their comments on board, digested their dribble and thrown it to the wind. If you can’t stand the heat, go to Gail’s.

Salads:

Paprika peppers + white bean

Spinach + herb rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced tomato

Day 1176 Normah

I’m going to Normah’s tonight. A tiny gaff in Queensway market that you need to book a month in advance because it’s one woman cooking up a storm. I’m so excited. I’ve seen so many reviews saying it’s the best Malaysia food you can get in London. I don’t agree with this. At the end of the day there are so many places to get a taste of Malaysia in London, this is just a different experience. One woman vs the capital, can’t wait.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Miso + spring onion rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1175 I prefer my kids furry

It was a chaotic evening but I loved it. We had a puppy play date. 3 hours of mayhem, the best kind of mayhem. It was almost a small glimpse into parenthood. Watching the dogs play, making sure they don’t hurt each other while we sat and discussed adult topics (the proper adults enjoyed a glass of wine, i’m not at that point in my life yet). By the time I dropped the pup back home I was spent, the joy of being an Aunt rather than a parent. Peaceful.

Salads:

Black bean in black bean sauce

Spiced rice salad

Pea + spinach pasta

Soup: Sweetcorn, ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Raclette, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1174 Can I pet that dog?

I was in such a dull mood yesterday. I think i’m feeling better today but you never know what life will throw at you, well, work life. My personal life is going to throw a puppy at me this evening, this is ideal. A little bundle of chaos to close my day! Moose isn’t exactly friends with the puppy just yet, he spends most his time staring at me, probably wondering what he did wrong, why does he have to be subjected to such mayhem when he’s fulfilled his role as a good boy.

Salads:

Curried chickpeas

Aromatic coconut rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Thai spiced tomato

Day 1173 It's all ham and cheese at the end of the day

I’ve checked out the competition that everyone was banging on about last week. It’s no surprise people want to know my opinion about a ‘deli’ that opened up the road but my opinion is that same about pretty much every gaff that opens in the area. It’s mid. If you’re the type of person that sits near the crackhead fountain on the common, where the grass is patchy and the traffic is thick, then this place is perfect for you.

Salads:

Braised med veg with black eyed peas

Lemon + sweet chilli rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Roast squash + tomato

Sandwich: Napoli salami, pecorino, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1172 The good kind of burn

The difference the weather makes eh? I was all thinking I was going have a nap yesterday but I opted to go on a walk instead! My muscles are coming to terms with my increased exercise, I feel a light burning sensation all over my body. It’s the good kind of burn, not the kind most of the Clapham population feel on a Sunday morning after a Saturday night of atrocities. Here’s the the freakin’ weekend.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry with sweet potato

Lemongrass + ginger rice

Courgette, rosemary + tomato pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1171 On the run

Went on my first run of the year yesterday and i’m not dead, so that’s great! I love running with Moose, he understands the task at hand and becomes a little way finder, a little bullet that slips through the crowds. I’m feeling a little docile this morning, luckily it’s not all guns blazing over here, i’m going to conserve my energy and attempt another run later on, happy Thursday!

Salads:

Black lentil + aubergine curry

Ginger + carrot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Leek + tomato

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Provola, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1170 Inflated

We need some kind of French style revolution because these prices are getting too high. Services are getting worse and quality of life is diminishing. It’s hard to tell in London because there’s such a variety of lifestyles and tax brackets but one things for sure. You can’t have the rich without the poor. The high costs come about because people don’t want to be self sufficient or they don’t want to work as hard as the rest so they want a quick fix. But at what expense?

Salads:

Braised many beans

Lemon + herb rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato + rosemary

Day 1169 Still full from the night before

I’m still full from yesterday, but I got lost in a hot pot vortex and I couldn’t stop eating! So I’m feeling a little docile this morning but I have plenty of work on the menu to zip me up. I have to make a few boring calls today, perfectly fitting for a tedious Tuesday. Can’t wait for the long Easter weekend, I wanna be able to get outside and enjoy the sun while it lasts.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpea

Sumac rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced spinach + tomato

Day 1168 As good as it gets

I wish a week of bad luck to the trio that parked their lime bikes outside out front door. I had a proper weekend. Laser tag, gardening, hike in the Surrey hills and great food... of course. I’m heading into this week on top form and it looks like we’re going to have perfect London weather! The blossoms are blossoming and the city is looking it’s best, carpe diem my people, carpe diem!

Salads:

Mexican beans

Indian spiced rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1167 Can't wait to be hot under the collar

March is coming to a close and we’ve had a taste of spring, a reminder of how good weather can really change the mood of this island. The simple pleasure of being outside. I intend to make the most of whatever warm weather this country might get but I must be conscious to not indulge in the plethora of paid for entertainment available. It takes years to create savings but mere moments can desecrate them.

Salads:

Lentil curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Med veg lentil

Sandwich: Speck ham, Smoked mozzarella, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1166 Such is life

You can’t have good without the bad. I treated myself to a massage yesterday (shout out to Thai Blossom Wandsworth), I was in a state of utter bliss as I pottered back to my car, took out my key and dopped it…in a drain. Peak. I was kindly chauffeured home by my friend to get my spare. Problem solved. Got home, checked on my garden, the foxes had dug up my crops, I replanted, I think they’ll survive. Ended it all with a sexy sandwich made by yours truly and I slept pretty. Life.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry with squash

Spinach + herb rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Roast squash + oregano