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Welcome back to Insta Stories, a column examining the London restaurant scene through the often-problematic medium of Instagram. This week’s filter is tactical.
News of the week
It’s 2020, and the world is on fire and quite conceivably will soon be at war. Yay! Before it all went to hell, though, for about 12 hours a more conventional January question was front and centre in people’s minds — namely, how best to live one’s life. Go all-in on the ethically motivated prohibitions of Dry Veganuary, or resist the urge to go gently into the grim midwinter night, and double down on the festive season’s excesses, as an adherent of what might be termed Wet Hamuary? There are compelling cases to be made for both approaches, but everyone can probably agree on one thing: The diet industrial complex can do one.
Festivities of the week
In the wrong hands, New Year’s Eve is a bit like a bad Stag or Hen do — a lot of enforced fun, a nasty hangover, and precious little to show for it. In the right hands, it might look a bit like this.
Good cause of the week
Tragically, 2019 tipping into 2020 is more likely to be remembered as the moment at which the world watched great swathes of Australia burn. Stranded on the other side of the world, it may not feel like there’s a lot we in the UK can do — but that’s not a reason not to try. Here are some initiatives to support.
Blank canvas of the week
It might be a new year, but some things never change. Instagram continues to love the humble egg, which as a social media phenomenon has all the versatility of a successful meme template. Classic? Classical? Well-travelled? Demotic? Vehicle for elaborate flights of creative fancy? Relax, London: eggs have got your back.
Correct opinion of the week
It’s the Italians’ fault, probably, what with their refusal to put parmesan on seafood pasta — an act of self-abnegation on spurious grounds that has gone on to infect a generation’s culinary thinking. It’s their loss.
Burgeoning trend of the week
If 2019 was the year of the rockpool, 2020 is yet to develop its signature Instagram lewk. In the interim, though … Double rockpool, from its London originator?
Disruptive entrant of the week
Swipe right for evidence of London’s first restaurant-based robot — outside certain Michelin-starred places that shall remain nameless.
Alternative seasonal delicacy of the week
Call it Epiphany Cake, call it Galette des Rois. No offence, but it’s not as nice as a cheese and onion pie.
Dish of the week
Let’s see a questionable high street chain vegan version of this.
Shot of the week
Sitting down for a late lunch in January like: