IF YOU'RE GOING TO EAT PORK...

MISHKIN'S

25 Catherine Street

London WC2B 5JS

tel: +44 (0) 7240 2078

A Jewish(ish), or Jew-ish (but hasn't that already been coined) if you like, deli. Or, as they themselves describe it, a "kind of jewish deli with cocktails". 

Expensive for a deli but, thankfully, I wasn't the one dipping my hands into my pocket. Clever moi.

I've heard mixed reviews and didn't really know what to expect but was excited as it's brother Spuntino was easily my favourite place of 2011; not that I visited an awful lot of places last year - really need to pull my finger out don't I? 

It's much the same: clean lines, tiled walls, bar to walk in, sit and have a quick munch around, with an old Barber shop type feel to the frontage and diner-styled booths.

A boisterous bunch, we commandeered a booth which they'd warned us in advance may be a squeeze but actually it was fine (even with 7 and a few bits and bobs of luggage), and immediately ordered the recommended Diamond Fizz: it didn't disappoint. I particularly liked it coming in a tin mug, yum. Then, dangerously, we decided to try every cocktail on the menu - shared of course - but, UNsurprisingly, I can't really remember them. The green one and the lemon one. They had gin in. They were good. I think. I'm sure. 

If you're really that fussed you can do what we did and ask the lovely, gorgeous, bright young things serving you. Same as Spuntino, the boys are hot and the girls are hotter; and lovely and helpful to boot! 

Menu is as with everywhere hot and new, of course, typed (not a font geek, but I would chance Courier) with most of the usual jewish shizzle you'd expect. Definitely not kosher. Reminding me of a receipe I've seen recently for pork chops using kosher salt. 

I've had my fill of salt beef and pastrama so I dithered between the New Yoik style "Big Apple" hot dawg and the duck hash - it was a hard choice but we only had 2 hours to order, eat and go, so was chivvied into ordering the former. No word of a lie, It was the BIGGEST sausage I've ever seen (fnar, fnar). Of course, I managed to hoof it down. DUH. Like Man Vs Food it's simply a challenge rather not an obstacle (although, have you SEEN what they eat on that programme, I mean really? It's obscene. There are people starving out there and they're chomping away on a whole pig carcass and a field of corn).

My compatriots very kindly let me snaffle bits and bobs of their Reubens and Beef Patty and yummy they were. In a kind of "I've had all this cocktails and I'm going to peak if I don't get down some serious meat and carbs" type way. The sides were alright - wedges that I probably do better at home, onions rings ditto (bit hard) and (best of an okay bunch) cod cheek popcorn (COLLEAGUE: what's cod cheek? ME: err, cheek of the um cod?)

Arm-twisted into ordering puds I managed a spoonful of the lovely messy hot banana thing (a definite must when you go) and two other things a week later I can't recall. They were alright.

I know, I know, the whole review is sounding a bit average, a bit meh. You probably could get food cheaper, better somewhere else. But that somewhere else wouldn't be Mishkin's. And Mishkin's was stonkingly good fun and the food was pretty (if not stonkingly) good to eat and the cocktails were stonkingly strong and certainly did the job. I also know that I haven't actually told you a lot about the menu but I feel I've summarised well - AND (most of) you (me excepted) go to the cinema without wikipedia-ing the whole storyline. SO get someone else to dig deep and pay a visit. Soon. And when I say soon, I mean, like, NOW. 

Now, here's the bit where I follow up with our hotfooting it to The Lucky Pig but, frankly, all I can remember is something like the montage in Moulin Rouge, with trays upon trays of Manhattans and the like swooping down; lots of cheers'ing; very serious and important discussions which are far too serious and important to recount here (translate as: far too piddled to remember, although I do recall it may have involved me strongarming a colleague off for a cigarette and furiously chuffing away [I don't smoke] whilst being very insistent about something or other), and playing the question game (what nightmare's are made of and one for another time). Which is pretty much par for the course on a work night out. Drink responsibly? My wotsit*

And that's pretty much all you can ask of a great night out isn't it? Loads of great cocktails, fun and frivolous company and a sore head the next day (or two)

Oh and apologies for the lack of photos, I still don't have an iphone and tbh was having far too much fun to actually take any.

 There can be no joy without food and drink 

And so from a jewish proverb to a  jewish legend, I leave you with... 

*would've said arse but they might be reading and get offended