OR, CHECKING OUT MY OLD FAVOURITE HAUNT.
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BOROUGH MARKET , THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY
I decided on rather the spur of the moment to nip down to Borough Market, just to buy some raw milk ! I had forgotten how I used to get down to London Bridge from Soho so I thought I’d do the route from Tottenham Court Road there, with just one seemingly innocent change of lines; Northern to Jubilee. This was a terrible mistake for going this way involved a hideous long tormented walk through the bowels of the earth which even included a moving walkway as if I were at an airport. It was grim and claustrophobic and I started to panic the further it went on. I am not good with the Underground at the best of times but this fulfilled my worst dreams. However finally I did finally arrive in rather poor shape and rushed to daylight. After that it was a short stroll to the entrance and I calmed down a bit going down the steps past the cathedral.
Hook and Son.
I was early so a lot of places were just opening and with the roar of the overhead trains and sort of fairy lights that they had overhead on this grey day it also was surreal and very different from the old days. However I was on a mission to find Hook and Son that I had found online when searching the closest sources for organic produce and raw milk and its products, also some organic meat.
I found it and was happy to eye an old pub just opposite for future reference. The lady was absolutely charming and very informative about the farm and its quality foodstuff . All the things that I needed to know about this now very large market she filled me in on. When I say market it’s an odd terminology, they all are permanent shops if you will that have deliveries from all over the place on a regular basis so it’s a good idea to find out when their delivery days are to get the freshest produce. For example Hook will have a big one in tomorrow so I’m going in nice and early to have a look at their meat goods. They are a good solid and caring farm.
“Father and son Phil and Steve Hook farm Longleys Farm organically. They have been in partnership together at Longleys Farm since 1991. Farming is in their blood, the Hook family have been farming in East Sussex for at least 250 years! We farm 180 acres just north of Hailsham and on the very western edge of the Pevensey Levels, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I.) The organic methods of farming that we use work in harmony with maintaining and enhancing this important and wonderful local ecology. Our farm is teeming with a wide variety of flora and fauna. A recent RSPB species survey found 45 different species of native birds, including eight species whose status is category red (declined by more than 50% over the last 25 years), and nine species that have declined by 25-49% over the same period (category amber).”
13 Acre Orchard.
The shop opposite was disappointingly, the only organic fruit and veg place in the entire market. This trend is alarming and I shall continue using the Sunday market in Marylebone for that purpose. More on that later. For other meat, cheese and fish I was more lucky.
Shellseekers Fish and Game.
I found various fish stalls which had the wild and unfarmed variety and bought mackerel, smoked cods roe and was even given four delicious sardines for free by the lovely Herman at Shellseekers Fish and Game. He confusingly had popped up from next door where I had just bought a couple of very tasty venison burgers and covetously eyed some skinned rabbits that I hope that they have again tomorrow. It is all in one as I realised after reading the shop name. Prices very reasonable.
Northfield Farm.
For other meat I shall be using Northfield Farm. Although not registered organic I had a lovely chat with one of the owners and was happy the meat is up to my standards and not jabbed and happy free animals. Dom also told me about the eggs that they sell also not tampered with in any way and “happy”! I bought some ox liver and had my eye on a fine ox heart but was already low on cash so have left it till tomorrow as he assured me they will have some in. [I got just half a heart on the Thursday, and very excellent stock I have made from it too!]
Other Stalls and Shops.
I had already bought some cheese but I didn’t feel a lot of the products were entirely honest . The main ghastliness I saw was on an olive stall they had a batch of anchovy stuffed green olives that were pricey and when I read the label said ‘anchovy paste’ and ‘with just a touch of rapeseed oil’ . Unacceptable and ridiculous to add a seed oil to olives rather that actual olive oil. No thankyou! It’s like saying with ‘a touch of poison’ in my book.
Need to get there early so you can ask the questions before the hoards get in. One lady was honourably truthful and said they had nothing organic. Others had to have it winkled out of them and some just said yes without even knowing.
There are a plethora of other shops with spices and coffees and potions, even one with wooden artisan bits and pieces. A huge number of amazing food places from snacks to meals but be willing to pay the price for the fine looking dishes including a massive paella and a huge load of jumbo shellfish amongst the usual burgers ad nauseum. I was given a delicious mussel in cream sauce however I don’t buy food outdoors without knowing provenance so it’s no skin off my nose to not have any of that stuff even if I could afford it, which I can’t.
By then it was getting horribly busy and it was only just before eleven! Go early and mid-week as apparently it’s cheek by jowl later in the week!
I decided to get a regular train going back passing Guys and the Shard and was so happy just to go to Charing Cross rather that the hellish tube. I need to find a better route dammit.
More tomorrow!
Second day at Borough Market.
I ambled around the cathedral to the river while waiting for my pal. So much information so little time!
I decided to go early before the hideous crush so I also had first dibs of the fresh order of meat from Hook. My pal also met me keen to check out the organic or as good as, in the milk, cheeses, game and other bits. We came across a very good tea shop.
Tea 2 You
The Tea 2 You place was like a little jewel, a pricey jewel but a jewel none the less. Hundreds of varieties and in little tester jars where you can take the lid off for a sniff. The owner explained a rather complex and exotic treatment to cure it organically. I shall spend more time and chat but my friend was rather hogging him and things were starting to get busy so I nipped off with what turned out to be an excellent English Breakfast.
Mons Cheesemongers.
Lovely cheese from smallholdings that reckon they are organic on some of them. I fell in love with the very strong cream cheeses such as Tarentais. Amazing stuff and as most of the shops or stalls that love their craft, are very helpful and informative. Little tasters always help! Thankyou guys!
There are literally hundreds of places there and really it’s best to have an idea what you actually want. For me it’s strictly organic and cash only. Allan and I rejected a raw cheese shop for suddenly saying card only at the end of our transaction; very stupid of businesses doing that and of course we walked away laughing. We clearly needed a drink after and sadly one of the market pubs that were open also was card only which really left a bitter taste in our mouths excuse the pun.
I went back over ground again and it was so much easier and quicker that I’ll just do it that way in future .
Marylebone Market.
I did nip up to my usual haunt on the Sunday and came back with a huge haul of veg, fruit, pork pie, duck eggs and more raw milk! They have a different flavour dontcha know!
For my art work and contact details: ART WITH ATTITUDE and ARTS IN COLLISION
Old Bird Travels Solo! 