"Pistachio & Pickle Dairy is retail therapy for those who browse country cottages on Rightmove. The Islington cheese shop is charming—from the cobbled Camden Passage street it sits on, to the higgeldy-piggeldy steps leading to a well-loved seating area upstairs, to the toasties served on wooden boards that could double as a hobbit’s front door. Downstairs there’s a big fridge full of cheeses, chutneys, and pickled bits that all fall under the category of ‘fancy picky bits for tea’. Fill a bag with Baron Bigod and chilli jam, but don’t leave without a toastie. Oozy, with a satisfying blend of cheeses that tick all the right tangy, stretchy boxes, it’s one of the best in London. If you can, eat yours upstairs. It’s a stripped-back space, but these toasties are best fresh from the grill. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch The Classic Grilled Cheese Toastie What ails you? It doesn’t matter, this toastie is the answer. The bread to cheese ratio is 1:3, there are lots of crispy, almost-burnt-but-not bits, and the finely sliced spring onions are a lovely touch. The cheese is a mix of mature cheddar and Red Leicester. It’s not too fancy or messed around with, and it’s so much better than anything our George Foreman has produced." - Sinéad Cranna
