Nº 22: Danielle Mustarde
The writer recs fine french cuisine in North London, an abandoned-tube-line-turned-secret-green-space, and much more.
We’re back with Danielle Mustarde. Read on to find out what she’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations once a week.
Danielle is a thirtysomething, north(east)ern expat in London. A writer and shop manager at indie publishing hub magCulture, she enjoys re-potting house plants, watching HD YouTube vids of walks around Tokyo and collecting outrageously niche magazines (rumour has it she’s secretly working on one of her own).
☞ Advice: If you're thinking of making your own magazine, avoid a monochrome cover (at least in the beginning).
☞ LES 2 GARÇONS: in Crouch End. To be honest, I haven't actually eaten there as every time we try to casually walk in they’re jam-packed (toting your French girlfriend about isn’t enough to bypass the crowds. “Ç’est pas possible”.) It always smells/sounds/looks trés bon though. Even standing in the doorway waiting to be refused service encore feels like you’re in a well-established, family-run bistro somewhere in the ‘burbs of Gay Paris. Posh lunch? Voilà.
☞ PARKLAND WALK NATURE RESERVE: This is my local green bit and one of the best things about living where I live in the city. During the lockdown trilogy, I must have walked or run along its gorgeously overgrown, ex-railway-lined backbone a hundred times or more. It’s where I go to run, to think, to call faraway friends and family, and to try and spot the famous people who live in/around Highgate (Hampstead Heath is significantly more fruitful for this).
☞ GNOCCHI: the best for a simple, quick and tasty midweek dinner –– plus, some brands are vegan too. (See Dell' Ugo Potato Gnocchi for one). Always, always boil gnocchi for a minute or two before *also* pan-frying them. Yes, it means using two pans instead of one, but doing both will enhance your dining experience significantly. Those little potato dumplings will be fluffy on the inside and golden brown and crispy on the outside. Ugh, delicious! Top with olive oil, black pepper, fresh rocket, and halved cherry tomatoes (off the vine if it’s payday).
☞ ICONIC PRODUCT: Water Killer Dry Shampoo. It’s over (my) budget but it smells incred and means I can get away without washing my hair for DAYS and no one will ever know, ha ha ha. Best of all, they sell it at the excellent Barber Streisand on Exmouth Market.
♪ LISTENING TO: WhatsApp voice notes from my cousin Ashleigh which, on average, weigh in at around 5:36 minutes in length. Those, and the single Hard Drive by Cassandra Jenkins.
☠︎ Hates: Current children childrensplaining Pokémon to me. Listen mate. I was there for the original 150 back in ’99, okay?
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