Hungry

Bloke eats lunch at a cafe at the end of my street.

My partner's American, so I have ample exposure to her countryfolk's idle prejudices where the quality of British food is concerned. I say idle, but I have to concede that they're true.

As a trans-Atlantic couple, we've come up with various mutually agreeable theories, eg the better quality of produce in the greater, overall sunnier US, or the simple reliance on pleasing but not necessarily healthy ingredients (mmmm, meatball subs).

But let's be honest, it's us, the discerning punters, who are to blame. A lot of standard British food - from greasy spoons and pub lunches to your pre-made sandwiches and the average chippy - is tasteless, bland glop because we simply don't demand better.

It's not even an elitist thing. On our last trip to the States we visited Cleveland. It's a working class city in every respect, except that it's hardly working any more. Yet despite the tightened belts there is a healthy appetite for good quality meat, produce, cheese and baked goods catered for by the amazing West Side Market.

It's notable there that this demand is in part explained by the diversity of the city's population. Yet that's hardly something we lack in any major British city.

So for me that just leaves the diners. And we can do better.

Big breakfast lunch