north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 1041 Think good thoughts

It’s been a testing morning and it looks like I will be tested some more before the sun sets on this manic city. I woke up on the right side of the bed ready to carpe diem but life had other plans. I will spend the rest of the day conversing with myself in the hopes of find a solution to fix the kinks the day has bestowed upon me. Yay.

Salads:

Black bean + aubergine braise

Tofu + spring onion rice

Courgette, Tomato + basil pasta

Siracha mayo + crabstick rice noodle salad

Soup: Pea, spinach + potato

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1040 It's not me it's you

Some customers have specific requests and usually start by saying ‘would it be annoying if…’ it’ll usually be a small change to sandwich, we smile, this isn’t annoying. Jarring people are those who are unaware how annoying they are. Oblivious to how much we bend to cater to their unnecessary wants. Said annoying people will read this and assume I’m commenting on someone else.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Roast pepper rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Beetroot + chickpea salad with salted ricotta

Soup: Indian spiced broccoli + tomato

Day 1039 Final push

Here we go, the final week before our break. Many moons ago we used to do the very European tradition of closing for the whole of August. It would always be entertaining to hear the custom question my parents on said closure as if there was an apocalypse incoming. Now you must endure a mere 2 weeks without us. Might be a long 2 weeks for you but it’s a blink of an eye for us.

Salads:

Braised med veg

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Chickpea + sweet potato with mango lime pickle dressing

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Gorgonzola cheese, Caramelized onion relish

Day 1038 The close is incoming

Yesterday was tough but I had an entertaining evening that has put me in top form on this Friday. We’ll be closing from August 24th - September 9th for a little break from the mayhem that is the deli. I know this time of year is hard for you but this break will strengthen our relationship.

Salads:

Many bean salad

Herby rice salad

Sausage + ham pasta

Panzanella

Sandwich: Roast lamb, pecorino cheese, chilli relish, tomato, mustard + dill pickles

Day 1037 Bored

My brain is refusing to engage. I can’t be bothered to switch on so i’ll bury my head in a mindless instagram scroll and wait for the day to be done. I could rant endlessly about every facet of society but that will just ruin my mood and perhaps yours too so I will stay in low power mode and sigh the day away.

Salads:

Mung bean curry

Peshwari rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Cracked wheat salad

Sandwich: Chorizo, Raclette, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1036 Buffering

Its been a chaotic start to the day. I woke up and hour late and yet still managed to have the shop set up in time. I’m trying to organize my time off to make the most of it but as I have mentioned before, i’m not the biggest fan of pre-planning so my brain is feeling all discombobulated (what a great word), if you find me looking vacantly into the distance, do not disturb.

Salads:

Braised black bean + squash

Lemon + dill rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Potato salad with bacon dressing

Soup:Chilled gazpacho

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Pecorino cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1035 It costs to stay awake

I have to find so kind of inspiration to stay awake. What would I rather? Engage in inner city fun, consisting of some kind of curated event that costs a pretty penny and there’s a high chance I won’t enjoy it because it will remind me that we are just sheep being herded into these unnatural environments that we are forced to enjoy or fear being labelled a debbie downer. Or I could just nap and dream of a world much better than this.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Crispy tofu + shallot rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Panzanella

Day 1034 Melting

Hello world, happy Monday to you all. I had a zen weekend filled with sober fun which was utterly delightful. It’s particularly hot in the biz today as our air con units are having a melt down, how fitting. I refuse to complain about the heat because we have waited seemingly the entire summer for a little heat wave, try to enjoy it.

Salads:

Lentil salad with lemon + herbs

Rainbow rice

Broccoli, chilli, garlic + spinach pasta

Soup: Chilled Gazpacho

Sandwich: Milano salami, Provola cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1033 Mind of a child

It’s been busy from the get go, classic Friday frenzy. I’m hoping the steady stream of customers continue because if I have a moments rest my body is going to tell me it’s tired and that just won’t do. I had a very entertaining evening which left me with little sleep and a couple bruises forming. Water fights are no joke.

Salads:

Braised pinto beans + roast peppers

Red pepper rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Chickpea + sweet potato with mango lime pickle dressing

Day 1032 That summer feeling

We have a busy day ahead of us but all seem to be in high spirits so i’m not worried. With our closure soon approaching I’m getting the feeling similar to that of a school child. I just want to laze around and chat but there is still work to be done, we are not children anymore.

Salads:

Med veg chickpea

Spinach + herb rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Leek + potato

Sandwich: Cooked ham, Smoked mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1031 Ask fm

I love when i’m quizzed on my quirks because it gives me a chance to reevaluate my mindset. Many people reserve their opinions or questions in fear of being socially ostracized but every so often I come a cross someone that asks ‘intrusive’ questions which I find beneficial. If you’re not willing to explore the idea of new ways of life then what’s the point in living?

Salads:

Black bean braise with Japanese pumpkin

Kimchi rice

Tomato + basil pasta

Day 1030 Fuzzy thoughts

It’s been a docile morning which has left me feeling a little deflated. I have a few errands to get through but my mind is blank so my short to do list looks like a mountain to climb. The protests have carried on around the country and i’m still perplexed, who thinks making your community a war zone is a good idea? I just wanna go back to where I came from and nap.

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Turmeric + ginger rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, Apple chutney + tomato

Day 1029 The Great British Mess

The riots that have popped off around this country are puzzling to say the least. You’re destroying the environment you live in as a protest again immigrants that move here who are supposedly ruining the environment that you live in… makes sense. 20% of the NHS staff in this country aren’t British nationals. Should we send them ‘home’ and watch our NHS disintegrate? Who will treat the gammon that become limbless on a Saturday night?

Salads:

Braised pinto beans + roast peppers

Lemon + ginger rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Day 1028 Happily suffering

We’re a man down and it has been a insanely busy morning but it’s been pushing along nicely. I’m excited for the rush as i’m going to working the counter and the salad section is looking scrumptious! I was attacked by booky bugs last night in the humid weather so if I looked absent it’s because i’m trying to not rip my skin off.

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato with mango chutney dressing

Rosemary + squash rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Potato salad with Caesar dressing

sandwich: Chorizo, Chilli pecorino, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1027 I live in dreamworld

It’s been a quiet morning which is okay as I have been so overstimulated this week and my mind has been all over the gaff. Apparently there’s going to be a thunderstorm later so I might fulfill my peaceful day by having a rewarding nap. I love a good nap.

Salads:

Mung bean + cauliflower curry

Leek + dill rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Tuna + black olive potato salad

Day 1026 Distraction

Sometimes I understand my mothers vexation when it comes to my chatty patty antics. If you get me engrossed in a topic all my other responsibilities go to the wind. She should put a sign on the door to remind people that i’m easily distracted. The only way I can combat this is by not engaging with people. You could ask ‘what’s in the soup?’ and you’ll leave 20 mins later after we’ve discussed the origins of the tomato plant.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpeas

Herbed rice salad

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, chilli relish + tomato

Day 1025 Invest in SPF

As a pasty person you’d assume the sun and I are not the best of friends but this year i’ve been basking in the polluted rays of that big star. I can’t wait to sit in her glory later on while reading a book that convinces me that we’re not as evolved as we think we are. Accompanied with a deli dinner it will be an idyllic evening, here’s hoping.

Salads:

Crispy tofu rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta

Five spice noodle salad

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 1024 Hot and hungry

Happy Monday people! It’s a very bubbly morning and the population seem in high spirits. It’s gonna be a hot couple of days and while I love this weather it brings many challenges. Top one being keeping cool when a ‘tricky’ customer graces us with their sweaty presence. Patience my hungry friends, we’re in this together.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Rainbow rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Gazpacho

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

Day 1023 Hot topic

Yesterday consisted of a plethora of topics, so random but enlightening. Who wants to talk about the weather when you can discuss American alleyways and the effects of trauma on the body? There are so many interesting things going on in the world at any given time if you can’t make conversation out of thin air you might just have to accept that you’re boring…

Salads:

Braised squash + black beans

Carrot + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Panzanella with feta dressing

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 1022 Perspective

I really should stop reading this book, I don’t need to be encouraged to see humans as glorified animals. I already have the bad habit of lessening people social problems by putting it into the grand scheme of things. Like, if you and your friend fell out over a boy i’ll remind you that the ever changing weather patterns cause major stress on the crops worldwide which will lead to mass famine for the human race.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea + sweet potato curry

Kimchi rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Potato salad with tahini dressing

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola cheese, Caramelized onion relish + tomato