"Islington was once London’s dairy district, counting around 170 dairy retailers in the 19th century that supplied the city with milk and its derivatives. Though little remains of the former glory days, neighbourhood darlings Pistachio and Pickle are flying Islington’s dairy flag today. It started out as an underground supper club, catching the attention of the Evening Standard and eventually setting up shop permanently — in a coffee bar and deli on Liverpool Road and a cheesemonger in Camden Passage. The former serves Monmouth coffee and a pleasing menu of cakes, pastries, salads, soups and sandwiches, of which the grilled cheese is, naturally, the most formidable. the latter stocks 70-odd predominantly British varieties of cheese, with accoutrements including as fresh bread, relishes and crackers, wines, sherries and ports. Grilled cheese sandwiches are served throughout the day, and on weekends the first floor parlour opens to wine and cheese lovers, of which there are plenty in the neighbourhood." - Daria Kyrilova
