Useful

Well I’m back in the East End Outpost in Marlborough again. Just had to post something that creased me up in Sainsbury the other day. I was looking for glucosamine in among the vitamins and minerals. One tub had a very useful label:

“This package contains a security device that is not microwaveable”

So there you go. If you are going to nick glucosamine please don’t microwave it.

Qype: Spitalfields Market in London

London - Shopping - Markets

So the old building has completed it’s makeover, and on the whole I like it… I think other’s have covered the market really. On my most recent visit I only had eyes for the surroundings. To the nice old hall they’ve added brushed metal ligh fittings in the ceiling. And various elements in pastel-lighted glass. It sounds like it would all clash, but actually it works. The glass work is rather lovely, with panels of glowing colour at the gates, a lift shaft with moving images and another building covered in writing in subtle, but glowing tones.

On the downside: one of my memories of this place is having my first Mexican at one of the slightly ramshackle stalls they had in a food court area. That area seems to have been lost, and replaced by new, posh restaurants. I think they have a sushi chain coming in… Nothing against chains, but I’d have liked to have kept those old informal and individual food stalls.
Check out my review of Spitalfields Market - I am moonrising - on Qype

Qype: De Beauvoir Town in London

London

De Beauvoir Town covers an area, formally an estate owned by the family of that name, stretching from the canal to Ballspond Road. In 1821 William Rhodes acquired a building lease, without stipulations of what was to be built. He planned a layout involving a grid pattern, with a central Octagon and with streets going out to four circular squares around that.

However development was piecemeal and there were legal problems with the De Beauvoir family. As a result only parts of his original plans came to fruition, with some roads visible on the diagonal to the general grid, and De Beauvoir Square, originally intended to the be South East square, being the only one that actually exists. I’ve put the flag on what would have been the octagon. Though many of the streets have lovely old houses of various ages, size and design (a favourite for those that want the prized N1 postcode, while appreciating Hackney rather than Islington prices), to the South are some of the most depressing council estates around.

It’s a lovely area to wander around, as long as you stay North of Downham Road. Northchurch road is closed to through car traffic, but not bikes, so can be full of whizzing commuters at certain times of day! St Peter’s Church, on the corner of De Beauvoir Square, has a café in the crypt. The N1 Garden Centre is definitely a hidden gem.

A much more in depth story and maps can be found at the website given. Another slant on the story is given at http://www.benyonestate.com/page.jsp?ID=2

Only just written, but just had to add… this area was also until recently home to the Mole Man: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/aug/08/communities.uknews and was apparently used in the filming of 28 Weeks Later.
Check out my review of De Beauvoir Town - I am moonrising - on Qype

Qype: McDonald's Restaurant in London

London - Restaurants - Take Away

Visited recently, though to be honest I can’t remember what I had. Probably a double cheeseburger grabbed on the way to an appointment…

What I did notice was the décor. While this has had a makeover to the new McDonald’s colour scheme, it’s rather noticeable that there’s not a comfy sofa or posh chair in site… Is that a comment on what McDonald’s expects of Hackney central? LOL
Check out my review of McDonald's Restaurant - I am moonrising - on Qype

Qype: The Plant Room in London

London

Funny the things you discover a road somewhere as you are passing… In this case it’s one of the major roads coming into Old Street, but not a very pedestrian one. I was walking along, when beyond the speeding cars I noticed firstly some rather good graffiti art, and secondly a load of plant pots around the bottom of a billboard hoarding. I nearly passed on, but was just too tempted, and braved the crossing.

On closer inspection I found a little corner of land, enclosed with a high wire fence, and in the shadow of a huge hoarding. Here rows of shelving have been set up, holding row on row of large pots. Those pots contain a massive variety: some are empty, others contain flowers, other vegetables. I wasn’t sure what I was looking at: a garden centre maybe?

A sign on the fence revealed all. It’s actually a clever twist on allotments, with local residents being able to hire a row of pots to grow what they like. What a great idea!
Check out my review of The Plant Room - I am moonrising - on Qype

Qype: International Cheese Centre in London

London

Fabulous little shop specialising in cheese of course. If you want to get some Stinking Bishop or a genuine Swiss fondue kit this is the place. Or for some bloomin good Cheddar…

They don’t just do cheeses though. They have a mouth watering selection of chutneys and preserves. Loads of pates (including Fois Gras… I’m hoping it’s the ethical version… I don’t want to ask…), port, and even Kendal Mint Cake. If I had to sum up this place I’d say it was a British Deli, if such a thing exists, and allowing for the occasional Swiss and French cheese…

They also do an excellent range of sandwiches. With the exception of a token turkey sandwich they all include cheese. And of course it’s not just cheese, but specified types of cheese, whether cheddar, brie or soft, in ploughman’s, with chutney, with ham… etc. All fresh cut and simply wrapped in clingfilm. Prices start under £3, so very competitive too.
Check out my review of International Cheese Centre - I am moonrising - on Qype

A Brief Diversion On Food

Having discovered a few old favourite ingredients (see review of The Grocery, below), I thought I’d write down a couple of favourite uses for them. I should make clear I am not Gordon Ramsey.

1) Take a mug, half fill it with raw couscous. Crumble in two thirds of a Kallo tomato and herb stock cube. Nearly fill with boiling water. Stir. Add a few chunks of nice rich flavoured cheddar. Stir again. Wait till the couscous absorbs the water then eat with a spoon.

2) Make a sandwich with hearty brown bread (one with bits in is ideal), avocado, miso and raw garlic.

I did say I wasn’t Gordon Ramsey… That first one is the equivalent of a pot noodle (and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone told me it’s no healthier). The second one is a lot better than you might be thinking, though not suitable before a night out of course! (I also got it off someone else).

I also used to make a stew with the stock cubes, though it’s a while… If I remember correctly the ingredients were the stock cubes, potato, plantain and unsweetened crunchy peanut butter…, and probably some garlic? (and yes, I do mean ordinary potatoes not sweet potato or yam! I am English…). Potatoes sautéed off a little before the rest was added, plantain a firm one so it didn’t turn to pulp. Maybe when I have a cooker…