I’ve been to quite a few Eat North events so I knew that I’d love it before I even got on the bus. Speaking of getting on the bus it was a bit embarrassing as there was a theme to this week’s event – The 1980s.
As attendees were encouraged to embrace the decade, I donned my pale blue linen suit with rolled sleeves and the lapels turned up, I had taken my beard down to designer stubble and a T-shirt completed the Miami Vice look. Just the thing for Sheepscar. Fortunately, there was only one other person on board so I got away with it until Harewood when the bus broke down. The driver stopped the one behind and ushered us on to that. It was packed! Blue suit – red face.
When I arrived at Eat North it seemed as though I was the only one who got the memo. There were a few Hawaiian shirts to evoke Magnum PI, so that made me feel a little better but it was definitely Don Johnson 1, Tom Sellick 0. The resident DJ had the music nailed with tracks both famous and more obscure to get us throwing shapes on the hot, sunny Saturday afternoon.
The event is called Eat North so I had better get on and tell you about the food.
There was the Assembly Underground favourite, Slap and Pickle, dispensing their burgers with the woman delivering the orders rocking her Madonna outfit. The burgers were humongous and the loaded fries just as imposing.
Mr Mañana had a selection of tacos and tostadas in both meat and veggie options which perfectly matched the Mexican style weather. Fortunately, the service was quicker than the name suggests and delivered with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen.
The Ball Box was serving their selection of both meat and veggie balls, along with some very appetising looking Stacked Halloumi Fries. Again, just right for the weather.
An oriental twist was provided by Suru with their Katsu chicken done in various styles, the curry looking particularly good. They also had lentil fritters (Piyaju) in a wrap for the non-meat eaters.
There was respite from the hot sun inside the brewhouse itself, where Bread and Boar were serving their 80s Buffet Party Classics comprising duck a l’orange vol au vent, mini sausage rolls and cheese on sticks. There were also sweets from the era, with Black Forest Gateau cupcakes, Swiss rolls and Piña Colada cupcakes. Needless to say, everything was done with a modern twist and was delicious. I was disappointed to see that the cheese on sticks were not stuck into a potato covered in tin foil.
Slice of Yorkshire had a spectacular display of home baked cakes, a couple of which I took home with me and were as good as they looked. They don’t do many of this type of function, normally concentrating on bespoke celebration cakes, but hope to be adding food events to their repertoire on a more regular basis.
The final stall was that of the Eat North ever-present Rabbit Hole Travelling Coffee Shop with his coffee, cake and cocktails. In view of the heat, I had my first ever iced Americano which was a revelation and could well be replicated in Graham Mansions in the Dog Days of summer.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the North Brewing Company on whose premises at Taverner’s Walk, Sheepscar, the whole shebang takes place and whose booze slipped down a treat. Well, you do need a break from iced coffee, especially my favourite Sputnik which I have to be careful doesn’t send me into orbit.
After my food and beer I was in no condition to drive my Miami Vice Ferrari home, so it was the 36 bus and I didn’t give a monkey’s what people thought about my outfit – I had had another great day at Eat North and met some lovely people.
Sadly, there are only three more Saturday Eat Norths to go for this summer, although there is a bonus Bank Holiday Sunday version and specials for Oktoberfest on 5th October, then Christmas on 7th December.
All photographs by Stan Graham.
