north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 367 Track star

I wore a matching tracksuit to work this morning. Mother was not impressed because it didn’t look professional and as we all know I am nothing if not professional. I think she was jealous of the warmth I felt. It’s like wearing a fitted blanket. Lush.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Red pepper rice

Chicken + tarragon pasta

Jackfruit chow mein

Soup: Tuscan tomato + roast pepper + rosemary

Sandwich: Bacon, brie, cranberry, mustard, red onion

Day 366 Beetlejuice

There’s this thing I call the Beetlejuice effect. This is when you mention not seeing someone for a while (that you don’t like) for and then the next day they show up. This has happened to me twice in the past week. I don’t believe in a higher power but the Beetlejuice effect is real.

Salads:

Vegetable dahl

Peshwari rice (sultana, coconut + almond)

Courgette · tomato + oregano pasta

Spinach · potato + paneer

Soup: Cauliflower · potato + tomato

Day 365 Focus

The morning has run away from me. The veg man was late, mother has no cauliflowers and customers have been distracting me with great banter all morning. I need to focus people!

Salads:

Pinto beans + roast peppers

Ginger + Sweet chilli rice

Roast quash ragu pasta

Spiced cous cous

Soup: Indian spiced tomato soup

Sandwich: Merguez sausage, Minted yogurt, Cucumber, tomato, re onion + chilli relish

Day 364 The mummy

I had the biggest sausage yesterday. Not a joke just a fact. What are you dressing up as for Halloween? I have a super scary costume planned. Just the sight of me will make a grown man shiver in his Chelsea boots…I think you guessed it. I’m going to dress up as my mother.

Salads:

Med veg + lentils

Tomato + basil rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Chorizo + bean potato salad

Soup: Carrot · ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Garlic salame, Provola cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 363 Sassy coffee

I think we’re busier in the morning. This is no surprise and I still think we could be busier considering our flat whites are £1.50 and we don’t charge for dairy alternatives. However you do have to deal with the bitchy baristas.

Salads:

Black bean + squash

Ginger · lemon + spring onion rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced red lentil

Day 362 Spent

Last week Stella hit me (to be fair I hit her first but she got me good) I was so taken back by how weak I am that I decided to really put my all into the gym. Sounds great. However yesterday I a mere shell of a human, my soul had left my body. I soothed my pathetic state with cookies.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Chicken + chorizo pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Squash · rosemary + potato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Iberico cheese, Onion relish + tomato

Day 361 Monday thrills

Another Monday rolls around. Why is everyone so blue? Okay it’s Monday but if you like your job (like I do) then Monday’s aren’t actually that bad. So can y’all stop coming in with your doom and gloom ‘cause ya gurl is shining.

Salads:

5 spice aduki beans

Miso + crispy tofu rice

Spinach · broccoli + sesame pasta

Pearl barley with beef ragu

Soup: Vegetable madras

Sandwich: Pulled pork, cheddar cheese, chilli relish, mayo, apple + cabbage crunchy slaw

Day 360 Blushed

Buongiorno tutti. We have a busy day ahead and I am buzzing. Honestly I’m so hyper my face is red as a raspberry. Which is unfortunate because I say some questionable things and it looks like i’m embarrassed or blushing, this is not the case I assure you. I intend to make others feel unconfutable not myself.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Tomato · bean + rosemary

Day 359 Lazy susan

I’ve been so immobile this week. I think it’s because I’ve been doing more admin at my desk, I don’t know how people find the inspiration to get up and exercise. Plus it’s dark, cold and wet outside your mind goes into hibernation mode.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry + mung bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Polenta bake

Soup: Sweet potato · ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Provola cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 358 No in between

I’m mellow today. I can’t seem to get hyped up and ready for battle. I mean service. One of the hardest parts about a customer facing role is smiling, I end up with this grin plastered on my face and out of nowhere someone will come in tell me something out of the blue and then I automatically go into this frown that makes me look so intense. I can’t seem to get it right.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Garlic + chilli rice

Courgette · tomato + herb pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Cauliflower · turmeric + potato

Day 357 Hot and wet

Why is it so warm? I just assumed it’s mid October, it’s dark when I wake up and it’s raining so it must be cold out. Living in the UK you should probably check the weather app when you wake up because it’ll probably snow tomorrow. What a British rant.

Salads:

Cauliflower curry

Coconut rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Fontina cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 356 It's just one of those days

What a weekend. I can’t say i’m going into this week feeling revitalised and ready to conquer, we’ll just have to see how it pans out. However if there’s one thing I know it’s that the North St. fans are usually also hanging in the balance on a Monday, and Tuesday… and Wednes..

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Rainbow rice

Roast pepper + cashew pesto pasta

Chorizo + bean stew

Soup: Broccoli · potato + chilli

Day 355 I'd pay a fiver for that

I’m going to go to a car boot sale this weekend. If you live in London and you haven’t scouted out a boot sale you’re missing out. There are some gems anything from an adidas jumper from the nineties to a jug in the shape of a mallard wearing a top hat. Such a magical place.

Salads:

Paprika peppers + white beans

Roast squash rice

Pea + spinach pasta

Oriental style crab stick salad

Soup: Cumin roasted carrot

Sandwich: Garlic salame, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 354 Wakey Wakey

I would say good morning but it isn’t. I woke up half an hour late and i’m so sleepy I can feel my eyes trembling trying to stay open. Be gentle, if you see me shaking it’s because I have consumed too much caffeine in an attempt to stay standing.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast squash pasta

Roast veg panzanella

Soup: Sweetcorn · ginger + tomato

Day 353 Mad one

My plan yesterday was to have an early night. You might assume i’m going to say I went out on the lash… no. I stayed up doing general knowledge quizzes with my household. I need to remind myself that i’m not an old man.

Salads:

Aubergine madras with black eyed peas

Indian spiced rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato + mushroom

Day 352 Go on, say it

Porchetta is back! I love porchetta because it’s delicious but also because it provides great entertainment. What do I mean? I get to watch the customers think about how to pronounce this foreign word; the brave ones take a chance, others just call it ‘the special’

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Wild mushroom potato salad

Soup: Indian spiced tomato

Sandwich: Porchetta (roast pork), Provola cheese, chilli relish, mustard + tomato

Day 351 Let's get ready to rumble

On Friday I went out for a civilised dinner on the high street and I had a great time. When I went to unlock my bike a fist fight popped off between about six girls. One was knocked out cold and my friends like the good Samaritans they are helped carry her down the busy high street to a cab. Me? I was gripping on to leftover pizza because… priorities.

Salads:

Thai spiced mung bean + squash

Roast pepper rice

Broccoli · chilli + garlic pasta

Oriental veg with tofu

Soup: Leek · Tomato + cumin

Day 350 I'm lost without you

And just like that we’re back at work. The deli is in full swing and people are gathering again. Contrary to what people might think I like my job and I enjoy most of you so i’m happy to be back. Plus my diet on holiday was disgraceful I need the deli as much as y’all do.

Salads:

5 spice aduki bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Sausage + potato mix up

Soup: Tuscan tomato + red pepper

Sandwich: Milano salami, Fontina cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 349 The hottest of pots

During lockdown many people started to watch Tik Toks. One category that pops up a lot is ‘places to eat in London’. My brother saw a hot pot restaurant in Piccadilly Circus and we ate there last night. Haidilao. It was amazing. There were tears of joy and pain from the spice (be warned).

Salads:

Borlotti bean + chickpea with roast peppers

Kimchi rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Roast squash · ginger + potato

Day 348 Run like your life depends on it

I dragged myself to the gym yesterday and all was going well until I accidentally inputted 20 km/hr on the treadmill. My life flashed before my eyes and I started to smack any button trying to slow it down. I had to press the emergency stop because i’m not Mo Farah. That’s one way to get your heart rate up.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Sumac + chive rice

Parma ham ragu pasta

Soup: Indian spiced veg + tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Ermesenda cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato