Paddington Lunch Box

Blog

  • Torelli Pitta Souvlaki

    Torelli Pitta Souvlaki

    For 8 months I walked past Torelli Pitta Souvlaki multiple times a day, never really wondering what it was like. Then the CIA unleashed coronavirus in Wuhan via Princess Diana’s ghost, and I hardly ever walked past it again.

    A view of the van Torelli Pitta Souvlaki

    Until I was made to get Closer To Colleagues. And here I was after a morning of sitting in the office with my earphones in, closer to nobody, eating lunch alone.

    It’s mostly souvlaki on offer at Torelli Pitta Souvlaki and I had the halloumi – as squeaky as you’d expect, though I could have had chicken, pork, lamb or multiple meats.

    Menu

    The fries were a little soggy but plentiful, the tomato and salad fresh…but I craved more tomato and less fries. The tzatziki fresh, and the pitta toasted…all as you’d expect but nothing more.

    A perfectly respectable lunch and a score of 6.9 out of 10. I’d love to know what Greek folk think of it!

  • The Pine

    The Pine

    Along with a trip to The Pine, it was time to go play desk lottery, to see if I was a lucky winner of a desk to work on, or whether I’d be expected to work on a stool all day

    Though more importantly, it was time for Closer To Cuisine.

    This time at The Pine, a halal Lebanese restaurant just off Edgware Road.

    I was most curious about the pastries, so I ordered the lamb samboussek. A bit more crisp on the outside might have been delightful but these were nicely made, slightly spiced lamb, with onions and pine nuts. Happy with this decision.

    Inside one of the little lamb sambousseks
    lamb samboussek as presented, 5 on a small dish with lemon

    Then I ordered the shish taouk wrap…which looked a bit sad and minimal when you opened it up, but was at least tasty to eat, tomato and chicken combining nicely, though with a rather runny sauce.

    Chicken shawarma would have been the more impressive choice…but I wanted something new to me.

    shish taouk wrap inside - a bit limited contents

    Sometimes you win… sometimes you lose. I did win the desk lottery by the way.

    Service was good, the lady running it seemed really sweet. I’d argue that the menu had way too much choice and should be slimmed down… but that’s my preference.

    Yet again, none of my colleagues that I’m now much closer to, photographed or rated their food. They’ll fall in line…or I’ll move team and get new ones.

    Oh and the orange juice was as sweet as you’d expect…but too much.

    A respectable 7 out of 10 for an overall score.

    And I think it cost £23, give or take.

    Menu at The Pine
  • Mihbaj

    Mihbaj

    They made me go back to the office. Aaaargh. But I made them go for lunch at Mihbaj a ha ha ha.

    Starting my hopefully very occasional story of lunch spots around Paddington with a trip to @mihbaj which is a super cute Palestinian cafe on Pread Street.

    Chicken salad with avocado and pomegranate on top

    No I didn’t choose to go to a Palestinian café because I’m woke and wanted to make a political point. I went because the food looked tasty. Don’t worry GB News fans, I might go to KFC next.

    Confirm the chicken salad was as good as it looked, slightly spiced chicken, creamy avocado with lettuce, tomato and a dried pitta…. cannot say I’m fussed about dried pitta though.

    Carrot, apple and orange juice was delightful too. No booze on offer…fine by me.

    Carrot, apple and orange juice in a glass bottle

    10 other colleagues were forced to join me but not one photographed their food. It’s 21st century…why you not photographing every meal? Most were happy though the food took a while to arrive…hence maybe not the spot for large groups on a tight 1 hour lunchtime turnaround.

    Service helpful, plenty of options on the menu, some wraps to take away if you wish too.

    Mihbaj was a good start to the adventure… maybe let’s give them an 8.0 out of 10.

    Will there be a second post or will I decide to upset the CEO and refuse to come back to the office?

    Menu at Mihbaj
    Menu at Mihbaj
    Front counter
    Croissants