Lockdown joy has to be had and it can be found in many ways.

Snow Days to banana bread, meal kits and not having to commute.

As always I jumped at a chance todo something different and try a trend.
This is an old one, however, became a bit more popular over lockdown - SOURDOUGH.

They key for Sourdough is TIME.
​Make your starter, nurture it, NAME IT and then make what you wish. This can go from a loaf of bread, Pizza base, Naan, Pitta, Croissants and more. You are in control.

One part i struggle with is naming it. What do you call a lump or paste of flour and water? Doreen?
Well, exactly.

However, despite the stress of naming starter, Sourdough is the gift that keeps on giving.
As you feed, your role is to decide what to make and eat.

Planning is needed depending on recipes, but if you are doing a Sourdough, then planning should come naturally.

Help small businesses. Just do it.
The love and care is there. A great example is Delisino in Southgate. https://www.delisino.co.uk/
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Thanks for the recommendation bro. I have gone past this whilst bike riding and was very tempted to stop and go in.
I didn't, but my brother did and subsequently on his advice, went and visited.


[ A LOVE AFFAIR WITH FOOD & COFFEE ]Delisino stands for tasty top quality food designed around a breakfast / brunch theme. Our cosy little establishment is your home away from home, when you feel the need to escape and indulge in well made wholesome food with a side of great coffee. Delisino is your go to destination. We are open 7 days a week with 38 covers inside and additional seating outside.

Breakfast with sweetness. This is how I would like to describe Delisino. The main reason is the addition of fruit and more to every dish we had. These added treats brightened our plates, our palates and our mood.

On a cold day, my wife and I both went for eggs royale with hollandaise sauce. Creamy buttery sauce on top of perfectly poached eggs, resting on sourdough toast.
We got our son a portion of pancakes and were delightfully and generously gifted a portion of french toast. Our first visit and we felt like royalty.

Another reason why I would recommend you visit, is because am fully confident that anyone who goes, will get the same level of service. I am special, but not to get treated that well.

GOOD TIMES: Hearty and Fruity Food

WATCH OUT: The venue is hiding just off the high street, past Asda

OMG: The sweet dishes were an added treat. GO FOR IT

Breakfast with a difference.
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Sydney Rocks in Southgate welcomes you to food with a difference.
Looking up and down the menu, you definitely need to do a double take. This is because your usual faves are not on the menu.
You wont find a full english or omelette on the menu.

A bit about this new independent cafe from themselves:

"We are a small independent, community coffee shop based in the heart of the picturesque Meadway in Southgate North London.

With a passion for great food, great coffee and seasonal produce, we aim to bring back the traditional local coffee shop with a modern twist in a vibrant and relaxed environment. Our menu is based on our Mediterranean, Australian and British roots. We use only the finest, small, independent organic producers wherever possible specialising in produce from Greece and the U.K. We also have a small deli and bakery area where you can purchase all of our speciality and local produce.

We are crazy passionate about our coffee too, our friends at Workshop coffee roast the finest single origin beans and we have been serving their coffee since day one, together with our highly skilled and friendly baristas, we serve the best coffee possible!"

Pop in for a coffee, a bite to eat, pick some produce or just say hi.

GOOD TIMES: Great food and something different for the soul and the taste buds.

WATCH OUT: You may have to sit out in the cold or wait a while.

​OMG: Wagyu Pastrami was amazing, look out for the seasonal specials

Part two of this journey, means more pictures of fun times.

AND... a big thank you to all who still read this and like the blog.
Your support keeps me going, your feedback will make me better.

​Do share and do get in touch.

8 years of blog writing, trying to make a living.
I have said this before, I got into this game for the wrong reasons, but I am still here.

The journey has taken us all over, with restaurant reviews, burger challenges (#10burgers10hours), cooking challenges, interviews and my Top 5 places both London and elsewhere.

Add to this, some strange thoughts and photos, I hope you have enjoyed it so far.

​Please see some highlights in part 1 of the 8 year review.
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The joys of blogging has been the graft (not too much) put in to eat out and find places.
My sources have ranged from colleagues talking, meeting foodies and other inspirational people and trying to eat 100s and 100s of burgers.

Add to this, the challenges, I like to think that Life of Shayan excites people, influences them and helps them on their foodie journeys too.

Come back next week to see more highlights of this 8 year journey.