Effra Hall Tavern, 38 Kellett Road, London, SW2 1EB

Okay, you've probably guessed it but I live in Brixton.  You'd think that with the Carribean population down here it would be easy to get a good plate of Jerk with Rice & Peas, it's not.  Most of the places around here tend to serve Jerk cooked with that shiney, gooey sauce that comes straight out of the bottle, even the overrated Take 2Wo that people seem to love does the dirty with the bottled sauce.  If you've been eating that shit, you need get your head checked.

Luckily there is the Effra, a sweet dingy little pub that does live Jazz every night except Friday and Saturday.  The Effra is a humble and  honest place.   You'd probably not even noticed they have a kitchen, they don't seem to advertise the food much.  But fuck me they should!  It's a goddamn revelation.  I remember the first time I had a plate of the Jerk there, I was blown away by all the flavours exploding in my mouth.  I had to investigate, apparently the nice little old  Carribbean Mamma who runs the kitchen makes all the sauces from scratch daily!  It's phenomenal, each bite picks up notes of a whole array of spices and herbs I could taste Star Anise in there.  It's really hearty, earthy and above all tastes REAL!  This is cooking with Soul.

Don't think twice, give it a try.

Jerk Chicken w/ Rice & Peas, £6.80

Rosie's Deli-Cafe, 14e Market Row Brixton Market, SW9

Rosie's is a cute little joint in Brixton's Market Row.  I've started frequenting it since last year.  They do a selection of homemade soups, cakes, wraps, sammiches, have a deli counter and assortments of great pantry items.  As the chalk-board proclaims, everything is served with 'Love and Lemons'.

I pop in a few times a week for a sandwich and a chat.  The staff are very warm and open, and are great to exchange recipes and cooking tips with.  They love their food as much and Melvin and I do.

The sandwich I've been lusting after recently is Copocollo, Spinach and Pecorino Sardo.  The bread is wonderful and comes freshly baked every day from Franco Manca around the corner.  Copocollo, or 'Gabagool' as the Sopranos call it is an Italian Salume made from pork neck, shoulder and fennel.  It's got a delightful salty flavour, you can really taste the pork's nice bits mingling with the fennel.  Combine that with creamy gooey melted Pecorino's subtle nutty notes and you're in heaven.  The sandwich is not on the menu,  but the staff are nice enough to whip them up to your needs and specifications.  I love this goddamn sandwich, I've eaten it twice this week.

Go on, say it, "Gabagoooool" 

Capocollo, Spinach & Perocino Sammich at Rosie's, £4.50