It’s Eat What You Want Day (May 11), apparently, and whatever that actually means, London has the best selection in the world for treating yourself.
Whether it is a fine steak restaurant or an unnecessarily big curry, sometimes a good meal is what you need. But sometimes it is a simple chocolate bar or an exquisite dessert that does the job.
Everyone is different, as listeners to Off Menu Podcast will attest. We would all assemble our perfect food experience in a different way.
Of course not everyone (virtually no one) can afford fine dining, but a special bite to really make your week doesn’t have to be at the top end of the price range. Some of our suggestions here involve cooking at home, or opting for a cheap shop option.
We recently looked at how different supermarkets compare when it comes to loyalty card offers, and came up with some surprising results.
But whatever your taste (and whatever Eat What You Want Day means), why not make your week that little bit better with a special snack or meal. Fried veggie sausage sandwiches for lunch for me, and then possibly a massive paneer balti for dinner.
5. A couple of doughnuts
I certainly never saw quite how successfully the humble doughnut would come to dominate the market for sweet things. From the ultra-fashionable Donutalier in Covent Garden, to Borough Market’s Bread Ahead Bakery there are lots of top-end options. On the high street are Krispy Kreme, in locations including Holborn and The Strand, and Doughnut Time, with outlets including Shaftesbury Avenue and Covent Garden. Or simply get four Village Bakery doughnuts from Aldi for just over a pound. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
6. Fish and chips
When did you last have fish and chips? It’s not generally the affordable meal it once was but it remains as delicious as ever. Pictured is Poppie’s, which has outlets in Spitalfields, Soho and Camden. Or I recommend The Trawlerman in Upper Street or the institution that is Toff’s of Muswell Hill. (Photo by Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
7. Chocolate biscuits
A sweet treat doesn’t have to be expensive. I’m a big fan of Mcvitie’s Gold and Fox’s Rocky bars, which are available in multi-packs for little over a pound from most supermarkets. | André Langlois