north st. deli

Fast · Fresh · Delicious

Day 355 I'd pay a fiver for that

I’m going to go to a car boot sale this weekend. If you live in London and you haven’t scouted out a boot sale you’re missing out. There are some gems anything from an adidas jumper from the nineties to a jug in the shape of a mallard wearing a top hat. Such a magical place.

Salads:

Paprika peppers + white beans

Roast squash rice

Pea + spinach pasta

Oriental style crab stick salad

Soup: Cumin roasted carrot

Sandwich: Garlic salame, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 354 Wakey Wakey

I would say good morning but it isn’t. I woke up half an hour late and i’m so sleepy I can feel my eyes trembling trying to stay open. Be gentle, if you see me shaking it’s because I have consumed too much caffeine in an attempt to stay standing.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast squash pasta

Roast veg panzanella

Soup: Sweetcorn · ginger + tomato

Day 353 Mad one

My plan yesterday was to have an early night. You might assume i’m going to say I went out on the lash… no. I stayed up doing general knowledge quizzes with my household. I need to remind myself that i’m not an old man.

Salads:

Aubergine madras with black eyed peas

Indian spiced rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato + mushroom

Day 352 Go on, say it

Porchetta is back! I love porchetta because it’s delicious but also because it provides great entertainment. What do I mean? I get to watch the customers think about how to pronounce this foreign word; the brave ones take a chance, others just call it ‘the special’

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Wild mushroom potato salad

Soup: Indian spiced tomato

Sandwich: Porchetta (roast pork), Provola cheese, chilli relish, mustard + tomato

Day 351 Let's get ready to rumble

On Friday I went out for a civilised dinner on the high street and I had a great time. When I went to unlock my bike a fist fight popped off between about six girls. One was knocked out cold and my friends like the good Samaritans they are helped carry her down the busy high street to a cab. Me? I was gripping on to leftover pizza because… priorities.

Salads:

Thai spiced mung bean + squash

Roast pepper rice

Broccoli · chilli + garlic pasta

Oriental veg with tofu

Soup: Leek · Tomato + cumin

Day 350 I'm lost without you

And just like that we’re back at work. The deli is in full swing and people are gathering again. Contrary to what people might think I like my job and I enjoy most of you so i’m happy to be back. Plus my diet on holiday was disgraceful I need the deli as much as y’all do.

Salads:

5 spice aduki bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Sausage + potato mix up

Soup: Tuscan tomato + red pepper

Sandwich: Milano salami, Fontina cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 349 The hottest of pots

During lockdown many people started to watch Tik Toks. One category that pops up a lot is ‘places to eat in London’. My brother saw a hot pot restaurant in Piccadilly Circus and we ate there last night. Haidilao. It was amazing. There were tears of joy and pain from the spice (be warned).

Salads:

Borlotti bean + chickpea with roast peppers

Kimchi rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Roast squash · ginger + potato

Day 348 Run like your life depends on it

I dragged myself to the gym yesterday and all was going well until I accidentally inputted 20 km/hr on the treadmill. My life flashed before my eyes and I started to smack any button trying to slow it down. I had to press the emergency stop because i’m not Mo Farah. That’s one way to get your heart rate up.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Sumac + chive rice

Parma ham ragu pasta

Soup: Indian spiced veg + tomato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Ermesenda cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 347 Darkness

It feels unnatural to wake up in darkness. I don’t mind winter but it is so hard to get out the house before dawn and face the wind and the rain. It seems many of you put the deli’s reopening in your calendars because it was much busier than I thought it would be yesterday. You really did miss us.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Olive + mushroom rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Meat + potato

Soup: Spiced red lentil

Day 346 Honey i'm home

Don’t worry darlings we have returnuthed from le voyage. That will make you think that we went abroad, we didn’t. We needed a break it’s good spend time apart to create a healthy relationship. I missed you.

Salads:

Rainbow pepper + pinto beans

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Teriyaki tofu noodles

Soup: Lightly spiced sweet potato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, brie, chilli relish + tomato

Day 343 Beast mode

I was shattered yesterday it was non stop, I may have come across dazed and confused and I was. I still don’t know what we’ll get up to on our break however I have planned to get my nails done. After this weekend I want to have claws to suit my beast like personality.

Salads:

Tuscan white beans

Sweetcorn + ginger rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Greek pecorino, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 342 Be professional

On days like these i’m glad I picked an indoor profession. What is my profession? Making coffee and bossing people about? Well tomorrow I have to assume a more professional persona as I am interviewing someone to maybe join the deli team. Let’s see how that goes…

Salads:

Curried chickpeas

Cumin roasted carrot rice

Parma ham + pea pasta

Potato · paneer + veg curry

Soup: Roast pepper · tomato + oregano

Day 341 Prepare yourself

One week to go people! It’s only 2 weeks but I know some of you will struggle. Here’s some tips: Cook your pasta al dente, Boil your broccoli for 3- 4 mins and remember there’s more to life than salt and pepper. I know it’s hard but you can do this.

Salads:

Five spice veg + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Fregola with courgette + basil

Soup: Carrot· cumin + potato

Day 340 We need some time apart

My back aches. I think it’s because i’m constantly carrying the business (ooooOOOooo burn). Great banter. Anyway… This is your friendly reminder that there is one week left until our 2 week break. I think this will be good for us, distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Prawn + tomato pasta

Rice noodles with stir fried veggies

Soup: Courgette · spinach + rosemary

Sandwich: Chorizo, Iberico cheese, jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 339 SASSY

I planned to go out last night but I ended up watching SAS who dares win. Tonight I will go to the gym and see if I can emulate the carnage they put the troops through. I might even shout at myself like some kind of corporal. Inspiring stuff.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry with sweet potato

Wakame seaweed rice

Roast pepper pasta

Cous cous salad

Soup: Leek · dill + potato

Sandwich: Milano salame, fontina cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 338 Young, dumb yet full of knowledge

How is it already September? Before I know it i’ll be 30. That’s not a bad thing, i’ve always said I don’t mind aging because people will take me more seriously. My opinions are profound but they’re not seen as such because of my age. Just to drive it home, I am amazing.

Salads:

Paprika roasted pepper + pinto beans

Spinach + herb rice

Cauliflower pesto pasta (no nuts)

Curried lentils

Soup: Gazpacho

Day 337 Hot night

Good morning sunshine! Literally! I probably won’t get to enjoy it because I have a long list of tasks to complete today plus my pale skin doesn’t bode well in 30 degree heat HOWEVER I will take advantage of a warm evening so I will picnic in the park for din dins.

Salads:

Mild Indian coconut curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Mushroom pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Gazpacho

Sandwich: Romano salame, Manchego cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 336 Last push

You know when you run a marathon (I never have this is just an assumption) and you find the strength inside you to put through the last mile to the finish? That’s what work feels like at the moment. We’re taking a two week break starting September 18th and it’s full speed until then.

Salads:

Aubergine + black bean with black eyed beans

Rainbow rice

Med veg ragu pasta

Crispy chicken skin salad

Soup: Chilled gazpacho

Sandwich: Sausage, swiss cheese, onion relish, tomato, mustard + mayo

Day 335 Bringing home the bacon

Honey, I am up to my neck in bacon sandwiches! The smell in the deli would make a vegan cry. I love an organised production line it’s a natural adrenaline boost I just have to hope I can keep the stamina because it’s gonna be a 15 hour shift today!

Salads:

Med veg with lentil

Carrot ã dill + lemon rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

Prawn potato salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato