north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 991 Harsh truth

The truth is a bitter pill to swallow and once it’s administered there’s no going back. I’m your local flat white therapist, I have no degree but a whole lot of life experience and if you’re ever in need I can be a friendly stranger for you to unload your problems onto and perhaps through conversation we can find some way of moving forward rather then regressing on the past.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Cumin roasted spinach rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Sandwich: Speck ham, Pecorino cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 990 Automatic

Even if I wanted to relax I don’t think I could. I have no control as soon as I roll up the blinds, by the time it gets to 9am I’ve had more conversation then the average person probably has in their entire day. I come into work half asleep like a normal person but somehow my brain has found a way to itself into gear without any kind of gameplan, you just have to get on with it.

Salads:

Chickpea + jackfruit curry

Red pepper rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Beetroot, chickpea + dill salad

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 989 Summertime

British summertime is something else. I get it we live in the northern hemisphere and scientifically the weather makes sense but how are the people expected to smile when there’s drizzle in June? The British were born to be miserable. It’s set to be the wettest summer in years, you can add my tears to the rising sea levels.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Raclette cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 988 Happy to be here

I had a night of pure nostalgic joy with Dragon so my good mood is due to that illustrious creature. It’s been another jam packed morning (it was actually a bacon packed morning but I don’t think that’s one of the ye olde English phrases). On a different note, could you look under you sofa pillows and see if you have any spare change, we’ve been having to give £1 in 20p’s and that’s a heavy weight that no one needs!

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato curry

Miso + spring onion rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Sandwich: Pulled pork, Cheddar cheese, Kimchi slaw + BBQ mayo

Day 987 Discombobulated

I haven’t really felt present this week, everything has moved so fast it’s been hard to keep up but it’s been enjoyable. Today has consisted of so many different conversations my mind is discombobulated (such a great word) I need a heavy influx of sandwiches to come in so I can put my mind in game mode.

Salads:

5 spiced black bean

Tofu + crispy shallot rice

baked veggie pasta

Panzanella style salad with feta dressing

Soup: Sweetcorn, ginger + potato

Day 986 Glass half full

It was a rush from the get go this morning and we only have half the team but Frankie and I were like Jordan and Pippen and smashed it! We still have the rest of the day to conquer but i’m optimistic. Who knows what the rest of the day has in store, no doubt there’s chaos yet to come!

Salads:

Braised white beans, tomato + rosemary

Mediterranean styled rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Potato + tomato salad with tahini dressing

Soup: Cumin roasted potato + spinach

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

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