Maltby Street, London
It is almost the weekend people. I have that wonderful Thursday night feeling, only a day between me and Friday 5pm. It has been a hectic week at work, tomorrow won't be any better, but just there, on the horizon, tantalizingly close, is the weekend.
So, what are your plans? Maybe you don't yet have any. Maybe you happen to be in London and have a window of opportunity on Saturday morning. If so, do this: head for Maltby Street market. Jump on the Jubilee line, get off at Bermondsey. Wander for a little bit, stumble upon market stalls and tiny shops in the railway arches and surrounding buildings. Buy a custard filled doughnut from St John Bakery. Drown in its deliciousness, the sugared batter, the creamy, vanilla flecked filling. Try to eat it slowly, elegantly. Fail. Buy an espresso from Monmouth Coffee, or if, like me, you don't drink coffee, watch other people get their morning fix, wish your overly developed sense of bitter didn't prevent you from participating. And then explore the rest of it. Open studios at the London Honey Company, beer tasting at The Kernel Brewery (which comes highly recommended), cheese from Neal's Yard Dairy amongst others. Bergamot lemons and blood oranges to brighten a winter's day. Shellfish and sausages, buffalo mozzarella and Bea's of Bloomsbury cupcakes.
When you're done, you may, just may, want to head up to Borough Market, Maltby's older, more popular sister, but only because you've got an addiction to this cheese and need a fix.
