I’m adequately hydrated, sleep deprived and over stimulated. This is my first trip to India, and there are few things better than arriving someplace new and absorbing all its magical idiosyncrasies for the very first time.
I’m enjoying that:
you can buy a single street side cigarette and light it with a communal lighter
after dinner paan (the sweet variety) freshens you up instantly
adornment exists effortlessly, with embellishment in unexpected places
trucks and taxis are painted with brilliant - sometimes humorous - graphics
I ran into a friend of friends from London at a bar called Slink & Bardot
the Mahindra Bolero looks like a G Wagon (the police drive a great colourway) while the Tahr looks like a Wrangler
mutton seekh kebabs are almost too easy to eat
my stomach can handle (most of) the dairy
the perfect tissue box already exists
NOTABLE NOURISHMENT
London On The Inside debuted on Substack by disagreeing with my Zonal PR Guide. Jules Pearson agreed with the rest, mirroring much of my Stocktake intro from 24th October. The reductionism I opted to close off with then aimed to challenge the status quo and encourage a progressive conversation.
naomi shimada’s advent calendar is my new favourite read on Instagram. The other day she quoted Irish poet Dave Rock: “I give myself permission to make infinite mistakes”. I read this at a very apt moment, and I’m now convinced that the most prosperous people I know live by this philosophy.
Branded booze Christmas trees are having their moment. See: the Showerings cider al fresco bottle tree at the festive celebration on Wednesday night (a very good party if I do say so myself). Also: the Ghia holiday pop up.
KITH Creative Director and CEO Ronnie Fieg is opening his first restaurant, Ronnie’s, in London. A Mediterranean-Inspired New York Bistro (ugh) next to the KITH store on Regent’s Street it’ll be open all day from 12th December. We didn’t need this, but I will be observing its progress, from afar. I often think of KITH Treats - the ice cream and cereal bar - that opened in Selfridges when I consider the streetwear-snack culture overlap.
More dinner place settings should include selfies and 3D stickers. These photo key rings by CEBE for the recent Fashion East dinner are joyous.
I hope to meet Chris Black one day soon. Until then, I’ll keep reading his opinionated interviews, like the latest in Shop Rat on his new clothing brand Hanover. I chose not to work in retail because it felt stagnant compared to restaurants, but he makes a good point on the contrary: I don’t want to work in restaurants because they smell bad, they’re dirty, and you gotta stay up late.
On the topic of men with opinions, I’m noticing more male-authored, man-focused gift guides. They’re a novel service to me, but one that could prove useful for boy shopping this month, particularly Joel Golby’s Gift Guide.
For the third year running, I’m editing Gemma Bell & Company’s IN SERVICE report (my brain child and most challenging annual project). The next issue will publish in the new year and assess our trust in other people’s tastes. We’re anonymously collating one line hot takes and I want to hear from you, my esteemed TGITE readers. What are your desires for the world of food in 2026? Email or text me – no opinion is invalid.
My fear that no one cares about spelling anymore is coming true.
Finally, and most importantly, you should all buy a ticket to this. Rahel Stephanie and Sarah Souli are cooking a family style Greconesian feast at The Drapers Arms on Monday 15th December. All food and half of drink proceeds will be donated to the Gaza Mutual Aid Solidarity Fund. Echoing their words on the invite: FUCK SMALL PLATES AND FUCK THE OCCUPATION. FREE PALESTINE.
Thank you, as ever, for reading / sharing / loving The Goal is to Eat.
I think that Macbeth thing is a wind-up for left-over people (I'm one) who still care about spelling!