north st. deli

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Day 1051 More than a feeling

I’ve been in what I call a ‘halfway house mood’. Life’s been good, in the grand scheme of things I can’t complain but there’s this offsetting feeling I have in the back of my mind. I can’t be bothered to address it because it’s easier to sweep it under the rug but at the same time there’s this dissatisfaction that’s grating on me.

Thai spiced squash + chickpea

Smoked tofu, ginger + soy rice

Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Asiago cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1050 Hop onboard

I have had a plethora of conversations this morning and they have been mighty interesting. When I encourage people to talk about their problems I’m usually met with a hesitancy. I’ll poke a little and if you’re game i’ll start unpacking the intricacies of your social behaviors in the hopes of finding a solution, it’s therapeutic for all of us. You just have to get on board the transparent train, could be a bumpy ride though…

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Mushroom + chickpea salad with almond + jalapeno dressing

Soup: Roast pepper + tomato

Day 1049 Ready, set, go

I’m behind the counter today because we’re Frankieless. I can’t wait to make up suspicious rumors about his whereabouts. Anyway, I had a great weekend filled with juvenile fun. It’s going to be a testing start to the week but we will make it through and hopefully be stronger on the other side.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash + borlotti bean

Lemon + chive rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Warm carrot salad with croutons + feta

Soup: Spiced lentil

Day 1048 That panini pump

The first week back has been executed swiftly, painless. This morning has been banter and baps i’ll tell ya! I’ve just made a mountain of sandwiches and we’re still anticipating the Friday frenzy. I am covered in flour and ready for the next wave of zombies.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpeas

Sumac rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Cumin spiced potato + spinach

Day 1047 Bored

This morning has been docile. I enjoy not being stressed but at the same time I appreciate the stress at work because it gears me up for whatever might waltz through the door. I will try and stimulate my mind with odd jobs and inane conversation.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + black eyed peas

Miso + soy rice

French bean + roast onion pasta

Teriyaki tofu egg noodle salad

Soup: Lightly spiced lentil

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

Day 1046 Get the London look

It’s so easy to feel like a fish out of water in London. We consume ourselves with problems that are easily solvable if we dare to step out of our societal norms but who’s willing to take the risk? What if you find yourself on the other side completely in control of your own decisions and life still goes Pete Tong? Sometimes you just have to follow the herd and find a vice to help you through the misery.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Rainbow rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

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

Day 1045 Let me talk to a person

Yesterday was a pretty painless return to work which is nice. Seems like we’re back into the swing of things already. I have a bunch of extremely boring admin work to get through. I wish companies would invest in call centers rather than having to listen to these mind numbing answering machines. We’re creating this cutting edge technology but for whose benefit?

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Veggie potato bake

Soup: Spiced tomato

Day 1044 Hello

Guess who’s back? Yes, yes I missed you too. I got to conduct a bit of market research while we were away from the nest and I must say… the deli is a blessing. Considering we are a sandwich loving nation, the choices out there are below par, if you discovered anywhere good in our time away let me know. It’s been a chatty morning to say the least, so many episodes to catch up on!

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Crispy shallot rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Mango chickpea + sweet potato

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Sandwich: Milano salami, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1043 See you in 2 weeks

Alrighty people, here we go. We will be on holiday for the next 2 weeks (yes this means the deli will be closed). Not sure what my time off will consist of just yet all I know is it’ll be deli free (mostly). This time apart will be good for us, there’s a whole world out there to go and explore and 2 weeks is just enough time for me to miss you.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Lemon + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Roast vegetable panzanella

Sandwich: Roast beef, Tomato, Dill pickles + mustard

Day 1042 Night and day

The trials and tribulations of yesterday have been put to rest and I too need to be put to rest because i’m feeling snoozy. This time last year I was not in the best state of mind. So while I could think about all the fun I might get up to during our holiday time, I’m mainly just grateful to have mind on my side. I hope these heavy winds don’t move my mood!

Salads:

Mild vegetable curry

Cumin roasted carrot rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Cheese dressed broccoli salad

Soup: Indian spiced tomato

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