Londonist asks "What's for Lunch?" M Manzes

Here's another What's for Lunch? post for Londonist. Stayed tuned for subsequent instalments on Tuesdays around noon.

What's for Lunch? M Manzes
by Oliver Gili
Londonist
February 26, 2008

The place has a charming turn of the twentieth century look to it. The prices, well, have an old fashioned feel as well. Well ok, they are very cheap, especially considering the quality of the food. Our only gripe is the opening hours. If only they opened longer.

Click here for complete review.

Londonist asks "What's for Lunch?" F. Cooke

Here's another What's for Lunch? post for Londonist. Stayed tuned for subsequent instalments on Tuesdays and Thursdays around noon.

What's for Lunch? F. Cooke
by Chris Osburn
Londonist
July 3, 2007











We couldn’t agree more with the pro-cockney cuisine raving and since our initial visit have been trying to find the time to return for another crispy crusted pie and obligatory mash drowning in homemade parsley liquor. And, even if the food weren’t delicious (not to mention incredibly good value for money), we’d still long for another chance to dine in this tiled relic of stoic charm.

Click here for complete review.

Pie and Mash: a bird's eye view

Large Pie and Mash
Photography by Pint Champion © 2007
Interested in contributing a photograph of London to this blog? Click here for details.

Queuing up for pie and mash at Clark's

The following photo is certainly not among my best, but it does illustrate the almost regular scene outside Clark's around lunchtime. Since January, Clark's has been buzzing with patrons eager for some pie and mash on their lunch break. It's a yummy lunch option; I can't blame them for waiting.

Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007

Back to the Pie and Mash

... except this time I visited a new place - F. Cooke on Broadway Market (don't worry - I fully intend to pop round to my local, Clark's, soon).















I first spotted F. Cooke a few days ago while roaming around the area and knew I'd have to return soon. A step through the door and I was transported to another time ... a time I know little about but nonetheless elicits an intense feeling of nostalgia within me.

The food was simple, ample, inexpensive and better than I'd expected. Of course, I got the pie and mash and was surprised by how crisp and delicious the pie crust was. I followed up with hot fruit pie (apple) and was again pleasantly surprised. I now wish that I had brought a few home with me for the week.



















Definitely pay F. Cooke a visit, if but to sit in its stark tiled room of homey austerity and stoic charm. Try to go on a sunny day and to sit facing the window with the light streaming in. If cloudy on your visit, sit with your back to the window and admire the portrait of Diana, "the people's princess."

Photography by Tiki Chris © 2007
Interested in contributing a photograph of London to this blog? Click here for details.

Liquid doughnut in a can

Last week, I mentioned how a visit to Clark's Pie and Mash confirmed that I seem to be adapting well to local ways. Well this week, I must confess that full acculturation is still not imminent.

Most times that I've been to Clark's, there's been someone ordering a cream soda with his meal (and it is invariably a his sort of thing). And more than a couple of times, I've overheard nostalgic conversations about growing up and going to the local pie and mash and having a cream soda.

So, during my last visit to Clark's, I requested a cream soda with my large pie and mash. What I got was a twelve-ounce can of Ben Shaws'. I popped it open and took a sip. To my recollection, I don't think that I had ever tasted such a concentration of sugar - especially in liquid form. Ben Shaws' Cream Soda tastes like a cream-filled doughnut.














Now, before you start with Homer Simpson-style drooling at the thought of a liquid doughnut, allow me to state that it's not as appetizing as it may sound. Something about that taste paired with that texture really threw me off and, at least to my inexperienced taste buds, did not complement my savoury pie and mash at all. Oh well, I gave it a try. Next time at Clark's, I'll stick with having a cup of tea.

Local Pie and Mash

I've gotten in the occasional habit of grabbing lunch at a nearby restaurant called Clark's, where ordering the standard fare of one large pie and two mash covered in liquor (a non-alcoholic clear sauce with parsley) is one of the most filling and homey ways I've found to spend £2.85. In addition to the foodie satisfaction, it's worth paying such a small price just to sit in Clark's austere tiled setting, which some long-time Londoner friends have confirmed is a real deal, old school pie and mash establishment (I'd love to take my camera to Clark's but the place is so Englishly quiet and reserved that I really don't want to make a scene and disturb the owners or their clientele, but one of these days I'll muster the courage).

Last time round, I was asked by the kind lady behind the counter (Mrs. Clark?) if I wanted "sauce" with my pie and mash - I guess she figured that, with my American accent, I wouldn't know what she meant by liquor. My response - 'Oh yes, and plenty of it' - took her a bit off guard. She lifted her head with a slight look of alarm and declared, "You're starting to sound like a local!"

All I could say was "thank you" as she handed me my plate nearly overflowing with liquor. Finding an empty bench, I sat down and doused my lunch in ample vinnie ... and savoured every bite.

Clark's

46 Exmouth Market
London EC1R 4QE
See on a map
Telephone 020 7837 1974
Open Monday-Friday 10:30am to 5:30pm

Saturdays 10:30am to 5:00pm