It's cold; bitterly cold here in London. And when the weather drops, the only thing that you really want is food. So for something that will put a smile back on your face, there's no other that what has become the truly legendary - Reuben from Monty's Deli. It's a sandwich that would silence a New Yorker, so good is this stack of salt beef with a side serving of pickle. It mightn't compete with your standard NYC tower but the taste is where it's at with this Ruben. 
Address: 76 Druid Street, London SE1 2HQ.
Hours: Sat: 10:00 - 16:00; Sun: 11:00 - 15:30

Peter Jackson has been living the dream since setting up his micro-brewery, Southwark Brewing Company, last year on Bermondsey's Druid Street. A brewing industry veteran of thirty years, he's been joined by lifelong drinking partner, Andy Nichol and master micro-brewer Sean Franklin. Together, they've crafted four small batch beers: London Pale Ale, Bermondsey Best, (traditional English ale), Gold (a hoppy golden ale made with English and American hops) and Peter's Stout. All are proudly brewed on site in SE21 and available for tasting every Saturday at the aptly named Brewery Bar. So whether you're looking for a morning constitutional or simply hair of the dog, this is one to catch. 
46 Druid Street, SE1 2EZ
Tel. 020 3302 4190

There are times in your life when you just want to pinch yourself and this is one of them. We are thrilled to be publishing our interview with Rachel de Thample in our January 2015 My London interviews. One of the UK’s most recognized food writers and cooks, Rachel has been writing about food for over a decade.  A trained journalist with enviable stints in the kitchens of Heston Blumenthal, Marco Pierre White and Peter Gordon, her resume includes time at Waitrose Food Illustrated, co-authoring two Borough Market cookbooks, and her current role as food editor for the organic food company Abel & Cole. In her interview with London Food Essentials, she speaks about her passion for the concept of London as a edible city and her involvement in community-based growing and food projects. You can read our interview with Rachel here. 

It might have been raining and the temperature hovering around zero but yesterday's walk from London's Borough Market to Spa Terminus and Maltby Street more than made up for the weather. At Borough Market, we eyed these beauties at Richard Haward's Oysters. This seventh generation oysterman brings to market his Colchester native oysters and wild rock oysters from Mersea Island Essex every week from beds that his family has been cultivating since the 1700s. In terms of seasonality, the rock is available all year round whereas the oyster, from September through to the end of April. A perfect way to face the wintery days ahead - British oysters and a bottle of champagne. Address: Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
Stall: Stoney Street. Open: Mon - Sat. 

What I love about London is what you find where you slow down and walk. I constantly see vignettes on my food travels - objects, people, installations that are unexpected and well just beautiful. I saw this in a window near Brick Lane ages ago and it's a photo that I continually go back to. So I'm starting a new series on this site - FOUND.