La Zoccola del Pacioccone or The red wine district is not too much bigger than a hole in the wall. A traditional Italian style pizzeria with plastic tables and chairs, a hand written menu, nick nacks on the walls. It looks like it hasn’t changed since the 80’s, which I suppose is part of it’s…
Tag: stories
Are you really going to eat that?
This last week I have been watching season four of ‘The Mind of a Chef’ Narrated by Anthony Bourdain. In this season they follow Gabrielle Hamilton from Prune restaurant in New York. I love her, she’s strong and sassy and she speaks with such passion and intelligence and humour. I enjoy watching her cook, admire her food philosophy, and…
Andy Waugh – Mac & Wild
I first met Andy Waugh, founder of Scottish restaurant Mac & Wild, a few weeks ago at a work event. I was happily downing the prosecco and he was presenting a haggis masterclass. It was the evening before Burns night, the perfect time to be learning about haggis. While I know intellectually what haggis is,…
Temple of Seitan – Hackney
Towards the end of 2017 I agreed to a two-week vegan challenge with my friend. She had just watched ‘Cowspiracy’ on Netflix and was experiencing the after effects of having a perspective of reality slap her across the face. It was decided, she was going vegan and I was joining her in the quest. Months…
‘Mae’s Ancient Thai Food’ by Carole Mason and Ning Najpinij
The first thing I notice when I open Mae’s Ancient Thai Food is how vibrant it is. It’s exciting, brimming with colour, energy and undeniable joie de vivre. The book begins with a tribute to its inspiration, Gobgaew Najpinij, followed by a minutely detailed introduction to Thai herbs, spices and techniques, including a page devoted…
Tortilla at Laxeiro Tapas Bar and another life lesson.
Here’s this thing, life isn’t always perfect. Sometimes it’s great, other times it can be stressful, disappointing, underwhelming. I’m going through a bit of a process at the moment. The more I live, get out of my own head and relax into the moment, the more I have a tenable understanding of how lucky I am…
Psyche of an Asparagus
Look at me, I’m green and long I’m not a beet, I am not corn, I’m classy, both raw and fried, there’s nothing wrong with that. Look at me, I’m white and fat I don’t care what you think, Of that. I have a tip, a crunchy end. I’m great with butter, oh, and…
Saturday morning breakfast pizza – With a side of a hangover.
Saturday morning, I eat pizza for breakfast. I could have fried up some eggs like a normal person. But the pizza was calling me. I don’t know why exactly. It just was. I’d say it probably all started the evening before when I got hammered on Veurve Cliquot at the office, followed by a couple of…
The Bach – Banana bread, almond matcha latte and an attempt to get my groove back.
“Excuse me”, I say to the waiter walking past. “Is this Matcha latte made with cows milk?” “It is” he replies, “but that’s cool, we can make one of fresh for you, are you staying in? Sit down. Relax. Take a load off. Do you want soy, almond or oat milk?” “Almond milk please. You…
‘The Typing Project’ wine tasting at Laithwaite’s.
Have you ever considered how the visuals of a wine label influences the way in which you drink and enjoy the wine? I suppose I have, but only in the sense that I will often buy a wine based on whether or not I like the label. I’m no expert, but generally I know what…
Gaby’s Deli – A delicious capsule within time’s changing landscape.
1971 was the year that decimal currency was launched, the first Mr Men books were published, one of my favourite TV crushes Damien ‘he’ll always be Soames to me’ Lewis was born and a fresh pound of turkey (apparently!) cost fourty pence. It was also the year that Gaby opened his eponymous deli on Charing Cross road,…
How to order a kebab
Knowing how to order a kebab sounds like something that should be easy. You decide what you want, you ask for it. Simple. Apparently not. I went to buy a kebab the other night. It had been a rather boozy evening and I hadn’t had time for dinner. Kebab shops are funny places. They are the…
thatdayigothungry 