When we’re not rearranging our unread collection of classic literature to make them feature more prominently on ‘Zoom’  calls, we often spend our lunch hour treading the local pavements looking for good food and ingredients. A long standing favourite was always Oval Farmers Market in St. Marks churchyard. Rain or shine they offered locals a great selection of fish, cheeses (real cheese, not the Tesco kind that tastes like a pencil eraser), cakes, and herbs – most at prices cheaper than Borough Market. As the market was in a pretty confined space it was doomed when The Event happened, but after six weeks it is back in business just up the road. The resurrection commences this weekend, but the reality of social distancing means that sniffing the merch just isn’t going to happen. 

Newish restaurant 24 The Oval in Clapham Road has transformed into a kind of farmer’s market itself recently (OK, about six weeks ago but we’re busy) and we recently popped along to check it out. We had our eyes on some hearty rhubarb, strawberries, huge peppers, and a nice variety of tomatoes. Their craft brewery room downstairs sells a variety of pale ales and lagers and you can take the bottles away again and then get a refill. The Oval also has a small hot takeaway menu of some of their best dishes such as coq au vin, beef sirloin, and beetroot risotto. Their changing menu is on Facebook and Instagram. The downside of 24 The Oval is there is often a lengthy queue to get in. But as they say, good things come to those who wait. Or something.