New meaty cuts in NW11

Hot Cut, the name of a new kosher meat sandwich bar on Golders Green High Road may have been lost in translation. Owners, S-Group (whose stable of modern kosher eateries include Soyo; Delicatessen; Head Room and Pizaza) are referring to the sliced meats stacked up in the refrigerated counter. My first thought was of a hairdresser.

The décor in the modestly proportioned unit (there are only a handful of seats) is also more fashion than food, and closer to Bethnal Green than Golders Green. Not a criticism — I loved it. It’s a refreshing break from the usual bland kosher restaurant styles.

“We chose lots of designs from Italian design company, Seletti as we wanted a warm feel” explained marketing manager, Nira Workman.

The style is slightly surreal; prints of huge old-fashioned cassette tapes on some walls and boldly patterned jungle prints on others. There are more prints on the flooring and soft furnishings. Random sculptures including a pug, a snake and a monkey dot the walls alongside a plethora of Pop Art-ish images and colourful plates. Light fittings are similarly ‘out-there’.

Service is at the counter. Although the queue wasn’t long when I popped in, on their first day of trading, had it been, I would have been fully occupied goggling at it all.

Food is simple, straightforward and comforting. There are three decisions you need to make — bread; meat and sauce. That’s it. Simples. The hot (panini-style) toasties can be ordered on white, granary or rye. Then pick from Turkey – a combo of turkey pastrami, smoked breast or honey glazed breast; Beef — salt beef brisket and pastrami; or the Hotcut — a mix of all of them. Greedy fressers can even ‘go double’ on the portion size. There’s also a longish list of sauces, including staples, ketchup, mustard and mayo but also more exotic options — the chef’s homemade chimichurri-pesto and bisbas, a fiery lime, chilli and coriander, Somali recipe. Prices are also reasonable at £6.50 for a meaty sandwich. Rush there. www.hotcut.co.uk