The streets are alive with the sounds of joy and summer vibes. At last. After 18 months of restrictions, illness, isolation, working from home and general unprecedented pandemic madness, we can all finally leave our kitchens and front rooms and take to the streets to celebrate summer with loved ones. And what is key to a fabulous summer day out? Why, food of course, and specifically street food, which is one of the most exciting and sociable ways to do breakfast, lunch and dinner in our post-pandemic world, where people meet each other in public places and break bread together, just like the old days.
And it’s not only humans who are emerging, blinking, into the sunlight. Underrated and underappreciated, burgers have decided to make their mark on our freedom celebrations by bigging themselves up with a special day of their own. And why not? 26th August is Burger Day. Come on, it’s been a tough year for everyone, give them their moment.
Associated for decades with salty, oily, cheap fast food, a by-product of rejected offcuts, the mighty burger has decided it’s time to show the world what it’s really made of. Absolutely no complaints from Quattro HQ. We love a beautiful juicy homemade burger. Greasy outlets can be found on every corner, but where can we get the decent stuff? The big, round, deep, succulent meat patty of your dreams, drenched in spicy sauces, flanked by crispy fresh lettuce, sweet chutneys and crunchy onions in a soft, fluffy bap? In a street food fair, and there are many around the country. Come on, let’s head into town for burgers and more. Join us on our mission to find some flavoursome, colourful and eclectic summer street food.
Food fair? What’s the big deal? For one thing, in the absence of foreign travel, we have to seek out delicious international flavours elsewhere. Perhaps these innovative and talented street-stall vendors are hoping to recreate their holiday experiences and share their deliciousness with us. Let’s find out. So much more than burgers (please take no offence, ye humble burger, you are, after all, the inspiration for this blog), we’ve found many exciting alternatives, from smokehouse food including gumbos, chicken and ribs to spicy Mexican treats.
We’ve also delightfully stumbled across countless Peruvian eateries with their scintillating cilantro dishes and smoky mac ‘n’ cheese with a South American twist. Asian Fusion flavours are abundant, from dim sum to sushi and noodles, and we’re living the Middle Eastern dream with falafel, shakshuka and the classic pitta and hummous. Caribbean and African hot chilli dishes are welcome in their abundance and we are keeping everything crossed that the weather holds out so we can enjoy our newfound freedom to the full with al fresco dining.
Team Quattro is loving the food festival season and we’re inspired by simple, yet delicious, street-style foods. And it’s happening in our kitchen too. Our talented chefs are pushing out the boat this year with thrilling exotic concoctions to inject some spice into your summer.
Please join us. Together we are free at last to enjoy the pleasures of street food.