About 6 months ago we went with friends to a Turkish restaurant. Not any Turkish restaurant because we travelled all the way so we could eat Turkish food in its natural environment. Palmers Green. And there, on Green Lanes, are 15 Turkish restaurants. All big, bright and bustling with people. Mainly Turks, but a few others too. But the one we went to was ‘special’. Which is why the friends had dragged us ‘all the way’ over at least 3 postal zones to eat there. Because they serve up a ‘meat platter’ which is to die for. And probably to die from, if you eat it often enough. But we don’t. Body’s a temple, blah, blah, blah, balanced diets, blah, blah, no man is an island, therefore he shouldn’t fucking look like one. Et cetera. But now and again…

So this restaurant, which already has a ‘sister’ further round the North Circular in Chingford, very recently opened a third. Right by my tai chi gym in Finchley. From the outside it looks magnificent; palatial and massive, on two floors, all glass fronted and brand new. From the inside they’ve actually gone for an ‘airport cafeteria’ look. Upstairs was better, more ‘dining room of very busy, 4-star hotel’. Because there’s something a bit cold and impersonal about the place.

But quite frankly, who gives a shit? (Though I may return to that theme later). I didn’t go for the aesthetic. I went for the meat. And I’d been thinking about it all day. And several days before… in fact ever since we booked it 3 weeks ago. And it didn’t disappoint. We went with other friends; well the thing is for 4 people so we had to. And in fact, and as I remembered, it is too much for 4 people. Just loads and loads of meat. All perfectly grilled on the barbecue. All marinated wonderfully. Served on a bed of half rice and half bulgar with a wonderful salad. As if I cared. Meat, chilli sauce, great bread, happy.

Then more happy. Then still happy, even though a bit full. Then finished but picking happy. Then ‘ya can’t leave just one chicken wing… three bits of shish… that gorgeous kofta… happy.

And I was, quite literally, up all night. Not sick. Not rushing to the toilet. Just lying there trying to digest. And lying there. And lying there.

So if you are, like me, a total pig with no stop button, don’t eat at such places too late.

But OMG it was so worth it.

Happy, slightly bloated Tuesday

A xxxx