Monty’s Reloaded

Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Race”) 

I came back to Ropewalk market in Maltby St, and looking for Monty’s Deli I pass by and thought they weren’t trading that weekend. What was my surprise when I saw they took one of the locals. Similar to the other warehouses, some sort of antique store, old furniture or should I say vintage? The popular Jewish food vendor is trading in a new house. 

The new place

Reflexions

In Action

Busy as usual, not as usual probably a mix of the new place with the rain, and the bank holiday weekend. I got to the counter and yes I was able to get my Reuben special. 

Reuben Special

The Reuben special is a monster sandwich with Pastrami and salt beef on top. Amazing, double the size, double the flavour, all the flavours of the traditional Reuben with the salt beef addition just the kind of sandwich I like to eat. 

Jewish delight

Definitely one of my favourite sandwiches in London. Still only on Saturdays, my recommendation is go early so you can go special, go big, go tasty.

Monty's Deli

T: 020 7394 8061

Jewish Deli

Approx Damage: £10pp

Area: Bermondsey

Borough: Southwark

Twitter: MontysDeli

---

View Larger Map

---

A Monster Sandwich in Sin City [On the Road: Las Vegas]

I came back to Vegas a year after, this time business and not pleasure, but still had the chance to eat in a couple places. One of them was Carnegie Deli home of the best pastrami and corned beef in town. The original place was opened in 1937 in NYC and these days they have another four locations including one in the Mirage hotel. 

Carnegie

Who said Pastrami?

I went big got the Woody Allen the sandwich that made Broadway Danny Rose famous. The only way to describe the sandwich is obscene, huge, big, giant, immense, you get the concept. The sandwich was the height of my two fists together. It’s the one of the biggest sandwiches I have ever tried. A great sandwich, excellent flavour, lots of pastrami and corned beef, even though that took me a couple days to finish it, the meat kept the flavour, really nice. 

That's what I call a sandwich

A pastrami and corned beef explosion

Now I understand why my American friends complain so much of the wafer thin sandwiches we got here in London, size wise they are just like a Lilliput’s sandwich offered to Gulliver. 

Woody Allen

Great sandwich, nice place, my only advice is be prepared to indulge and don't wear a belt. 

Take away

Pastrami reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Race” 

Mickey: What does that mean?

Kramer: Well, if you've got needs and abilities that's a pretty good combination

Mickey: So what if I want to open up a delicatessen?

Kramer: There are no delicatessens under Communism

Mickey: Why not?

Kramer: Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right

Mickey: So you can't get Corned Beef?

Kramer: Well, you know, if you're in the Politburo maybe

Carnegie Deli

T: +1 702 791 7111

Deli

Approx Damage: $20pp

Area: The Strip

Las Vegas

Twitter: CarnegieDeli

---

View Larger Map

---

Brass Rail Salt Beef Heaven

I’ve been looking for some sort of Katz deli here in London, so a lazy Saturday with no plans at all I decided to go investigate a couple places I had in a list for a while. One of them was The Brass Rail in Selfridges. A simple menu of sandwiches in a corner of the food hall.

Brass Rail

The procedure is quite simple, grab a tray do the queue, and then shoot to the beef carver what you want. That includes the size, the type of bread, the meat, type of mustard, and finally the classic gherkin. In less than 10 seconds you decide the succulent meat sandwich you will have. I went for two halves, but which ones to get salt beef, tongue, or pastrami, at the end I chose salt beef and pastrami. English mustard in a rye completed my option.

Salt Beef Paradise

Amazing, I just love it, will be coming back regularly there. Simple, great flavours, and the closest I have found for the Kosher style New Yorker deli.

Simple and Tasty

Salt Beef and Pastrami

All these meats remind me the Seinfeld episode “The Race”.

Kramer: Each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Mickey: What does that mean?

Kramer: Well, if you've got needs and abilities that's a pretty good combination.

Mickey: So what if I want to open up a delicatessen?

Kramer: There are no delicatessens under Communism.

Mickey: Why not?

Kramer: Well, because the meats are divided into a class system. You got Pastrami and Corned Beef in one class, and Salami and Bologna in another. That's not right.

Mickey: So you can't get Corned Beef?

Kramer: Well, you know, if you're in the Politburo, maybe.

Katz’s Delicatessen Where Pastrami met Corned Beef

During my trip to New York City I had to go to Katz's Delicatessen , the place is iconic in Gotham, New Yorkers love that place, and it has been open so long that different family generations have been regulars of this Jewish place. Kosher style delicatessen opened in 1888, Bib Gourmand recognition from Michelin guide, their speciality the Pastrami sandwich, and as they say, “We are famous for the best sandwich in town”.

Most people remember the place thanks to one of my favourite films “When Harry Met Sally”, with the famous scene of the Meg Ryan’s fake orgasm. Also in Anthony Bourdain No Reservation episode “Dissapearing Manhattan” Tony stated that the prize of admission to Katz is that you love New York and you like pastrami.

Hope you have what she had... When Harry met Sally famous table

I didn’t have what she had, but I got the Pastrami sandwich. The sandwich was really good, the pastrami amazing, just simple but tasty food, not complicated, excellent meat on rye, and a touch of brown mustard.

Pastrami time

The place

Pastrami sandwich reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Blood” where George tries to mix his two passions food and sex.

Jerry: So, the free love buffet is over?

George: I got greedy. Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami.

Jerry: Yeah, that's what you did...I can't believe I got another session with Izzy Mandelbaum, he's probably makes me box a kangaroo.

Jerry: What's going on?

George: I don't know. This sandwich is making me flush.

Jerry: Oh no, I'll tell you what you did Caligula; you combined food and sex in to one disgusting uncontrollable urge.

George: I think you're right. You gonna eat that?

Jerry: No, but please tell me that's all you're gonna do with it.