north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 985 Checked out

I think I need to invest in more me time. I spend so much time calculating and analysing when i’m with people and there’s no point. People are and will always be strange to me, taking in everyone’s quips and quirks is draining so today i’m going to checkout.

Salads:

Chickpea + cauliflower curry

Sweetcorn + ginger rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Potato + crab stick salad with Korean dressing

Soup: Sweet potato, ginger + tomato

Day 984 Get a move on

Something has been tickling my eye all morning and I still can’t find the culprit. I’m playing catch up as I’ve spent my morning doing up chatty patty. I need to get my head in the game. The leisurely morning crowd has been so tranquil that my mind has forgotten that I have a relatively intense job that waits for no one.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Lemon + rosemary rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Chickpea + sweet potato with mango lime pickle dressing

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Spicy salami, gorgonzola, caramelised onion relish + tomato

Day 983 Get it while it's hot

Even with the misery clouds in the air we’ve managed to have an idyllic morning. We’ve been frequented by some funny punters this morning which has really pumped my mood. I may have underestimated how busy we are going to be, I may have forgotten it was Friday, I may be in a bit of a panic about the amount of bread I’ve ordered. I know you’re probably hanging out your nether regions but if you want your deli fix it’s now or never people.

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato curry

Ginger + spring onion rice

Bacon + leek pasta

Med veg with halloumi

Soup: Lightly spiced veg

Day 982 B*tch don't kill my vibe

Its been a slow morning which has left lot’s of room for natter. I love when we’re in the midst of conversation then a new player enters the room and rather than stopping the banter they join in. The vibes have been top notch. I’m so blessed to be surrounded by colleagues who’s presence I genuinely enjoy. Big live, laugh, love antics.

Salads:

Braised squash + black eyed peas

Spinach + herb rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Roast carrot salad with feta dressing

Soup: Indian spiced tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Provola, chilli relish + tomato

Day 981 Part of that world

Envy is a natural feeling. I’m envious all the live long day, especially when the weather is looking so inviting. Walking round the common at 8am or an early gym sesh, having your coffee at the establishment from whence it came rather than taking it away because you can’t stop, technically being at work because you’re in the zoom call but you’re out getting lunch, booking a last minute getaway because you own your weekends, calling in sick because you need an urgent dose of R&R. Must be nice.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + lemon rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Chickpea + paneer braise

Soup: Indian spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 980 Carved a place in my heart

After visiting a couple of food establishments this weekend I’ve decided to spark up my reviews again. It’s time to put these trendy eateries under my microscope, separate the clout and the food to determine is that place actually good or are we just following the herd. I found myself at a Toby Carvery this weekend, laugh if you want but it slapped in every category.

Salads:

5 spiced veg with black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham ragu pasta

Baked veggie pasta

Soup: Sriracha spiced chickpea

Sandwich: Sausage, cheddar, caramelised onion relish, BBQ mayo + tomato

Day 979 Feeling warm inside and out

Be warned, i’m working the counter today. It’s been a really good week, this is mainly because of my junior customers who have brought in some zesty conversations and amazing art pieces but the adults have been bearable too. I’m sure it will be absolute raucous this lunchtime so I will probably be numb by 3pm. Yay for the May bank holiday!

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric chickpeas

Lemon + herb rice

Tomato + french bean pasta

Panzanella style salad with mushroom + parmesan

Soup: Spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 978 No rainbows without rain

It’s so easy to look at all the things you’d like to change about your life. Put yourself in an alternative universe or just make a couple tweaks to your reality but it’s also important to appreciate the good parts no matter how small. I’m guilty of concentrating on the negative, luckily I have a beautiful network of people around me who effortlessly poke positivity into my dark heart.

Salads:

Braised beans with tomato + rosemary

Sweetcorn + sriracha rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Day 977 Drizzly downer

Geographically the weather does make sense but it’s so jarring. I was not in the appropriate clothing for the level of precipitation yesterday but I accepted the soaking. I looked like a waterboarded rat by the time I got home. It’s another drizzly one today, wet Moose looks like a punk rocker.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower

Sumac + cumin rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Braised potato with chicken + mushroom

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Cooked ham, Smoked mozzarella, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 976 Anywhere but here

I’ve been a busy bee this morning so I am pumped! My weekend has inspired me to carpe diem a little more but that will have to wait as we have a crowd to feed. I wish I could work remotely. I try not to scroll through the deli’s insta account as it’s filled with marathon runners and crystal clear waters of some far off land. SW4 is nice but it’s not Sicily.

Salads:
Thai spiced coconut curry

Miso + crispy shallot rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Mushroom salad with parmesan shavings and croutons

Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower + potato

Day 975 Back to life

For the first time in forever I actually had a weekend, a whole weekend without the deli. What an experience, is this how the other half live? Yesterday was idyllic, we trekked to Kent for some English wilderness and boy did it deliver. I will spend today in a state of bliss living off yesterday’s vibes. Bring on the bank holiday!

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Lemon + turmeric rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Beetroot, chickpea + dill

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Milano salami, Chilli pecorino, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 974 Get it while it's hot

I’m excited for the weekend ahead. I’m going to attempt to enjoy my weekend by participating in fun pastimes. We have to get through the Friday rush first but it looks like it will end sooner rather than later as the sandwiches have been flying out the door today! The afternoon is set to be filled with disappointment for the carb hunting crowd.

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Red pepper rice

Wild mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea + tomato

Day 973 Killing the Karen with kindness

I was asked ‘how do you deal with Karen’s?’ by one of my junior patrons this morning. There’s no protocol, it just depends on my mood that day. Petty, passive and cutting is my method of choice. Eye contact and an over exaggeration of the English language gets the best results. Thank you and have a great day.

Salads:

5 spiced aubergine + aduki beans

Ginger + crispy tofu rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, Red onion, Branston pickle + tomato

Day 972 I miss my slumber

Another chaotic day in paradise. I haven’t seen much of my bed in the past 48 hours and i’m slyly suffering. I’ve made no mistakes yet but i feel glazed over, like a sausage on a stick. I am pounding through my admin work with a background sound of the morning buzz upstairs. I’d like to promise myself an early night but my day is controlled by many elements and few of them are in my control.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea + sweet potato curry

Kimchi rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Soup: Indian spiced spinach + potato

Day 971 Don't stop till you get enough

It’s been a busy morning filled with sandwich construction. Yesterday was unexpectedly hectic but I got a solid 4 hours sleep to regenerate the mind, body and soul. I have many items on the to do list for today so I need to stay present and try and keep my head in the game, easier said then done with the amount of personality that comes waltzing through that door.

Salads:

Brown lentils + med veg

Carrot + dill rice

Tomato, basil + French bean pasta

Braised potato with sausage ragu

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Chorizo, Pecorino, chilli relish, sun-dried + tomato

Day 970 Don't be a litter bug

The sun was BEATING this weekend my pale skin couldn’t hack the sudden change in temp. As you all know I have a dog (the best boy) so I’m in the park all year round. Though the sun lightens the miserable London mood the hoards of people on the green dampens mine. The copious amounts of litter, the carelessness of the tipsy public is pathetic. Take your trash away with you, pagans.

Salads:

Smokey white bean + roast pepper

lemon + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Broccoli + tomato

Day 969 Push it

Yesterday was an irritating day but we managed. I had a soothing evening so i’m back to good spirits this morning and the rush is looking like a tasty one. I need to put fitness back into my life. My mind has been a bit of a jungle this year so i’ve put P.E on the back burner while I figure some schuff out. I feel like the next step is pushing my physical but I will not be doing a marathon, though it seems the thing to do in SW4.

Salads:

Black bean + roast squash coconut curry

Rainbow rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 968 Scent of spring

I haven’t got anything on my mind today, no quick quips, anecdotes or tales riddled in subtext. I just want to get through the lunch rush and be outside. Shout out to all of my honey’s suffering from hayfever, that’s rough. The sweet scent of spring causing sniffles and irritation? Peak.

Salads:

Sweet potato + chickpea curry

Turmeric + ginger rice

Pasta e fagioli

Warm salad with fried halloumi

Sandwich: Roast lamb, Caramelised onions, BBQ mayo, Jalapeno relish + dill pickles

Day 967 Talking to myself

Feeling good this morning. I would love to be a simpleton that puts it down to the good weather but I have an inkling it’s something else. Though I run parallel to illiteracy, I do enjoy writing. My grammar is awful but the heart is there and once I’ve written a thought that has been circling my mind I feel an odd sense of relief even if it’s not read by anyone but me.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Spinach + herb rice

Backed chicken pasta

Croutoned salad with cheese dressing

Soup: spinach, potato + pea

Day 966 Processing

I had a quiet weekend. By quiet I mean I barely said a word to anyone and boy it was refreshing. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I can be a bit of a people pleaser. With hospitality moulding my life I tend to do and say things that are to my deficit just to pacify the community. I’m attempting to change this but there will be trial and error in the process. I just need to spring clean my mind.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Roast pepper rice

Chicken + tarragon ragu pasta

Veggie pasta bake

Soup: Roast pepper + tomato

Sandwich: Speck ham, Provola cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato