Norman Osland knows his pie and mash. After visiting over 70 establishments in London and beyond, he turned his experiences into a guidebook, Norman's Conquest. Here, he writes about his love affair with that most Londony of dishes.
The author at Barney's in Walthamstow. Image: Norman Osland
I was just two when I first had mash and liquor. I then moved up to pie when I was about four.
I've always loved the shops' link to tradition. It must be the only sit down meal that you can still get that you could get over 100 years ago. A number of shops have tried to stay original with their fixtures and fittings (Manze's in Tower Bridge Road and Peckham are two of many). You can look around and remember back to days gone by very easily. Remember, the Tower Bridge Road shop has been an M.Manze since 1902, and a lot of it has remained the same... and looks superb.
Castle's of Camden. Image: Norman Osland
