You Say Sandwich, We Say Yeah!

The Chip Butty is an institution I am not sure I want to admit membership of, but in support of true scientific research, I shall admit - though, only once - to consuming this monochromatic staple of British diet. You would think Britain, with its history of Sandwiches (think "The Earl of...") would be more inventive with their bread-based food products, but therein lies the genius of the Chip Butty - it is so classically simple, understated and unexpected: who would have thought that you could get so much starch and empty carbohydrates into such a small, compact space? That its nutritional content hovers somewhere between zero and minus 20 makes the perfect base (or cap) of a night's heavy drinking, and this is part of its success, particularly in Scotland and working class cities across the UK. Its single colour and single taste could only be described as "unexpected" - in that when you eat something, you would expect it to taste of something...

A Scottish chain cafe that is a bit of a deli meets speciality gift and wine store, Peckhams has got locations all over the place, but the one I stopped in was the Union Square Mall in Aberdeen. With about 30 minutes in between transit changes, my travel companion and I stopped for a tea, and I ordered a roasted vegetable sandwich, asking if it'll be ready fast, while she ordered a bag of wasabi peas. The peas were all but eaten by the time I went up to see if the sandwich was ready, and I had to get it wrapped to go by then. In the short time span it took from wrapping to eating it en route, the heat of the roasted mushy vegetables had sogged up the underside of the bread. The vegetables, which mostly tasted of eggplant more than anything else, was rather bland, which always disappoints me in a hot sandwich. A poor panini appears popular in this country as I have yet to taste a good one. I may just have to have another go at the toastie , as at least my expectations are...

I had a cheese and onion chutney sandwich during a meeting a few weeks back in Aberdeen, and I wonder if this place had catered that meeting, as this is now the second time I've ever even seen a two cheese and onion chutney option for a sandwich, and hell, I like it. A twist on the cheese and pickle sandwich, with a bit more sweetness and caramelization action, there was a surprising bed of fresh mixed greens nestled between the cheese and chutney. A good preemptive move on the soggy factor, and texture factor, too. The cheese was your classic white and orange combo, a seeming mild combination or variant of cheddars, and the bread was a hefty seedy business that complimented the girth of a simple yet substantial sandwich. I came for the art, but like most cases, I stayed for the food. Check out their menu and philosophy . There's lots of original 'zines if you're into that sort of thing, and the usual art magazines, but then again it's not good for your digestion to...