Manners are so much more than just please and thank you. It’s the way you carry yourself, the demeaner you perpetuate to the people around you. We stereotype as a way to protect ourselves, constantly convincing your mind to trust the person that stands before you. But many of those people who we convince ourselves to trust deceive us, with the surface level manners that are please and thank you.
Salads:
Black lentil curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Beef ragu pasta
Veggie pasta bake
Soup: Mild vegetable madras
The weather is giving misery but London is built for this. It’s easy to get consumed by such a large city. There’s so many people and they’re all on the go but when I get to travel to other cities I find I fall in love with London again. There’s so much green space, there’s always something to do and if you slow down a little, you’ll find there is community. You just need to find it.
Salads:
Chickpea + squash curry
Lemongrass rice
Tomato, french bean + basil pasta
Soup: Med veg
Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato
We will have a newbie behind the counter today, I hope we make a good first impression. Who knows what’ll walk through that door (customers that is). I had a great check in this morning with my Turkish babe from down under. Life moves faster than we expect. Whenever I think i’m stagnant, a good with her will always remind me of what I was vs what I am now. The glow up is crazy.
Salads:
Med veg lentils
Red pepper rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Spiced chickpea + mushroom
Sandwich: Speck ham, Pecorino cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
It was one of those mornings where I had no desire to hop out of bed but i’m here and i’m proud of myself. I finally got round to writing up my review of Bubala which is now on the blog. Pardon my poor grammar. I gave Moose a trim yesterday, which is always chaotic, he’s not the best client so he’s looking a little choppy but luckily he’s still got personality!
Salads:
Ginger + turmeric chickpea
Leek, black olive + tomato rice
Smokey aubergine pasta
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
Sandwich: Pastrami, brie, Chilli relish + tomato
We’re home safe and sound from the far off land of France. It was a successful weekend i’d say. We felt like we were away for longer than just one night. The main attraction being food, the weekend consisted mainly of cafe hopping. Ideal. It really solidifies to me that the British food market needs to up it’s game, we don’t care about food enough and when a provider does care, they slap a heavy price tag on it.
Salads:
Braised red peppers + white bean
Spinach + herb rice
Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta
Soup: Mild vegetable madras
When in school, a teacher told us tales of how she’d travel whenever she could. She encouraged us to go forth and discover the world with the promise that the education would be priceless. Spontaneous weekends away are always on my mind but i’ve always made excuses (and a world wide pandemic shut boarders for a long while). My mystical Dragon came to me with a want to get out there, so we’ll be in France this weekend. Hopefully it’s a bon voyage!
Salads:
Black bean in black bean sauce
Oriental rice salad
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Soup: Spiced tomato
Sandwich: Bacon, Cheddar, Onion relish + tomato
I’ve been watching desperate housewives, one of them is struggling with alcohol so she has a sponsor. Inevitably said sponsor becomes her friend, this always seems the case with any show you watch (with this subject matter). Of course they do, because a sponsor is just a friend, a confidant, someone you confide in that is separate to the rest of your life. Someone who comes to you with an open heart and a common knowledge that it’s easier to numb yourself with vices rather than facing troubles head on. Sad that some people don’t have that.
Salads:
Five spiced aubergine + black bean
Pink ginger + crispy shallot rice
Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta
Soup: Leek + potato
I meant to say impromptu dinner, importune has a VERY different meaning, spelling is important kids. I was querying one of my customers on the evolution of their child’s eating habits and he told me ‘She loves a cheddar sandwich, we tried her with Comte but she’s just not having it…too nutty’. How middle class. However it’s important to introduce your offspring to the complexities of food while they’re young in the hopes that they won’t be so picky when they’re older. On that, Bubula provided a lot to talk about, I will post my review later in the week.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower
Carrot + dill rice
Sausage + ham pasta (gnocchi)
Soup: Broccoli + tomato
Sandwich: Parma ham, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
In an effort to make Tuesday’s something to look forward to I have booked an importune dinner for us musketeers! Bubala. It’s all the rage in the restaurant world and i’m yet to sink my teeth in. I’m intrigued to see if they can elevate what is already a top tier cuisine, add in that it’s a vegetarian eatery and you got yourself a challenge. Mother is the perfect accomplice as she is no stranger to creating a veggie meal that satisfies the most carnivorous humans.
Salads:
Ginger + turmeric chickpea curry
Lemon + chilli rice
Courgette, tomato + basil pasta
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
I had a busier weekend than usual. Saturday was devoted to DIY and dogs, my Sunday was traditionally English as I had a roast dinner! I know this is a regular affair so a lot of households but for me it’s a luxury. I was in a vortex of joy as I chowed down on my roast beef and customary sides. All in all i’d say it was a pretty perfect weekend.
Salads:
Roast squash + white bean
Spicy sumac rice
Roast vegetable ragu pasta
Soup: Cauliflower + potato
Sandwich: Cooked ham, Smoked mozzarella, Spicy peach relish + tomato
Spring is so close I can taste it! Friday has rolled around again and wile i’m a little stressed because the conclusion to the week is always hectic, i’m gassed for the weekend. Nothing major is set in place but I have a few tasks that i’ve been gagging to complete. My resolution was to try and avoid procrastination, we’re still on track.
Salads:
Sweet potato coconut curry
Korean chilli + miso rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Tuscan tomato
The saying goes ‘curiosity killed the cat’ but what do we take away from this? Do we shy away from the unknown? or do we go forth with trepidation? The latter is inevitable, it’s the quintessential homosapien trait. It is unnatural to stay put, both physically and mentally. You’re not inspired by the ones that go with the herd, you’re envious of the few that push the boat out and explore. You should ponder why the cat was so curious rather than berate the feline for their inquisitive ways.
Salads:
Mushroom cacciatore
Rainbow rice
Artichoke + almond pesto pasta
Soup: Vegetable madras
Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
I was very entertained yesterday when a customer came in with a fun game of ‘what mental health problem does that tube line have?’. She had previously heard me rant about being asked ‘how are you?’ 101 times a day. While I do appreciate the concern, the question does become tiresome. Especially when the answer is irrelevant to the task at hand, lunch. We had a dandy time analysing TFL and it’s neurodiversity, any opinions?
Salads:
Chickpea vegetable curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Soup: Roast squash + lentil
Tedious tasks help the day slip away and I have quite a few to take on today. The slightly warmer weather is much appreciated, it gives me that extra bit of encouragement to live rather than just hibernate. The entertainment system has decided to stop working in my car which leaves me with my own thoughts as I sit in timeless London traffic. That doesn’t perturb me though, the voices can be delightful.
Salads:
Braised lentils
Lemon + dill rice
Tomato + basil pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced bean
I had a weekend that was neither here nor there. I did a few odd jobs around the house but now I want to do more and I have to be patient which isn’t my strong suit. My mind wonders on my given day so when I have unfinished tasks it usually sends me into a general absent state, there’s just so much to do and not enough time!
Salads:
Chilli non carne
Spinach + herb rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced red lentil
Sandwich: Milano salami, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato
We dined at Shake Shuka yesterday and boy did we eat, food seemed to be forever arriving at the table. We ordered a selection of middle eastern classics and it was delicious. The interior was laid back, the servers were friendly and efficient, it was great food with no pretence, highly recommend. I’m still full, I really need to learn to exercise self control, I treat every meal as if it’s my last, it’s a problem.
Salads:
Tuscan beans
Lemon + parsley rice
Roast pepper + tomato pasta
Soup: White bean, tomato + rosemary
Sandwich: Parma ham, Chilli pecorino, Chilli relish + tomato
I’m having dinner with an old friend this evening that I haven’t seen or heard from in a year. It made me reflect on the year i’ve had and while i’ve been suffering from a bit or boredom recently it’s undeniable that the last year has definitely been entertaining. It’s made me feel more comfortable in my lull. I haven’t been out for dinner in a while too and we’re planning on going somewhere i’ve had on the list for a minute, I should start up my reviews again.
Salads:
Mexican beans
Sumac rice
Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced sweet potato
Yesterday turned out to be a perfectly lovely day, maybe in future I won’t shit on Tuesday’s as a whole, I’ll just take each one as it comes. We’re a little less busy at the start of the year so there’s more time for me to engage in conversation which isn’t great. Contrary to popular belief i’m more of an introvert. I think it comes from the PTSD of past interactions. I do have a filter but sometimes said filter gets a little corroded and I end up letting out sentences like ‘don’t worry your moustache doesn’t make you look like a nonce’ and while the deli crowd is liberal, I know the majority don’t want small talk about paedophilia with their sandwich.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower + split peas
Dill + spring onion rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Soup: Sweet potato + ginger
It’s my least favourite day of the week and i’m feeling it. It’s days like this that i’m glad that I just have to worry about me, myself and I. All I have to do is knuckle down and get through the shift then my evenings are my own. I think one of the hardest parts about being a parent would be having to be present even when the work day comes to an end. To go home and still take on unwanted responsibility when all you want to do is stare at a wall and just be.
Salads:
Thai coconut curry + sweet potato
Ginger + lemongrass rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Squash, potato + rosemary
Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, Onion relish + tomato
Cold, freezing, bitter, chilly. Yes, it’s the same every year and yes the weather is a British obsession that I don’t care to talk about but my brain is that of a frosted windscreen this morning and I can think about nothing else. And to my iced coffee customers, you need help, this addiction needs some therapy, why do you need to be so cold?!
Salads:
Veggie curry
Rainbow rice
Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta
Soup: Bean, tomato + rosemary