an ode to my local favorites

i'd like to take a minute to thank the local establishments who have kept me fed and watered these past few days. in no particular order, thank you:

café saffron
you always deliver my monday night saag paneer consistently and deliciously. though we seem to have a different idea of what "make it a little spicy means", i do appreciate the little treats you throw in the bag each time, from poppadom to those wonderful fried veggie things. i also appreciate that you never become aggravated when i bring my drunk friends in on a friday night, even though we are loud and once (accidentally) dropped a beer bottle into an irretrievable place.

sekforde arms
your £9.99 jugs of pimms keep me refreshed on a hot sunday afternoon, you are willing to serve up a nice pint of kronenburg even at 5 minutes till 11, and frankly, i am well pleased with your recent remodel of the ladies' toilet. also, your staff is quite friendly. i consider you my "local" even though i don't live across from you anymore and have to pass at least two other pubs to be received into your welcoming arms.

la porchetta
you are typically one of the first meals i feed to out-of-town guests who are weary from traveling and who always very much enjoy your fine, thin-crust authentic Italian pizzas. your lovely waitress never fails to recognize me, whether she is working in the clerkenwell or holburn branch. perhaps this is because i went through a month-long spell where i dined with you at least once a week if not more. thank you for making affordable delicious food that is close enough to my house to be convenient but just far enough away that the walk might count as exercise.

though i haven't been there in a while, i'd also like to thank:

the three kings, for their chili bakes and random jukebox full of B side songs from the 70's. also, their bartenders never let anyone queue jump unlike some other establishments on clerkenwell green...

the curved angel, for its small but filling salad bar and the free re-usable takeaway box, all for £3. you make lunch possible when i have loads of change and only five minutes to spare.

bless you all for making my world a happier place.