Your Friday morning essential read. Five local feel-good highlights, including exclusive special offers and events. Prepared with love by the team at Camdenist

 SHOP: New deli Half Cut Market just opened 

It's always exciting when a new locally-focused independent store begins trading, and yesterday's opening of

Half Cut Market

 at the top of York Way feels particularly well timed. They offer a selection of the best deli products including meats from Islington's

Cobble Lane Cured

, fish from East London's

Secret Smokehouse

 and hand-crafted pasta from South London's

Pastaio a Mano

, plus shelves heaving with 120 craft beers and 80 low-intervention wines. With the prospect of yet more working from home and another downbeat festive period, treating yourself to some delicious produce/booze from a real shop feels all the more urgent. Half Cut is run by four local friends (pictured) including Holly Wilcocks who has worked as a sommelier at the always-excellent

Noble Rot

. This new 'gourmet off license and mini-mart', as they call it, brings quality drinks back to a tricky arcade across from the main drag of Brecknock Rd, a spot where the legendary Kris Wines - the Craft Beer Shop was a destination for those in the know until it shut in 2018. 

 EAT: Alternative Christmas grub 

If you're already fed up at the prospect of the traditional roast, there are plentiful excellent options nearby for alternative festive feasting.

Dishoom

 currently offer the

Turkey Raan

(pictured above) in their restaurants or for home delivery, slow-cooked and served with a spicy cranberry chutney, and a Mince Pie Kulfi for pudding. There's a great version for vegetarians and vegans too, complete with chilli sprouts. If burgers are more your thing, make sure to sample the

Christmas Special

from

Honest Burger

. Their classic beef patty is joined by smoked bacon, deep-fried camembert and cranberry sauce for an indulgent combination that could make even the Grinch crack a smile. The vegan version is just as decadent, with Applewood vegan cheese, shoestring fries, cranberry sauce and rashers of

THIS Isn't

bacon

. The two local branches of 

Mildreds

 have

their own vegan take

on Christmas too - a special menu featuring the Porcini Parsnip Wellington, a Bubble and Squeak Burger and Black Forest Mousse Cake, plus Christmas cocktails the Veggnog and the Sloe Comfortable Screw. Ho ho ho! 🎅🏽

 SHOW: Pinocchio at Pollock's 

Watch Pinocchio come alive in a one-of-a-kind performance by The Magical Paper Theatre at Pollock's Toy Store. An alternative to the traditional Christmas panto, this paper production takes place in a 15-metre long crankie box inspired by Victorian toy theatres and includes the original musical score. Performances begin tomorrow and run until the 21st, while ticket purchase includes entry to the rest of the museum, which promises more festive delight for kids and adults alike. 

 VISIT: The Illustrators' and Crafty Fox Markets 

Tomorrow, London's

largest free illustration fair

returns to

The Crossing

(the suitably airy entrance hall at UAL Central St Martins, Granary Square) 

with an eclectic selection of work for sale by emerging and established illustrators. Browse limited edition prints, homeware, accessories and handmade books at more than 100 stalls. Then come back on Sunday for the

Crafty Fox Market

,

 where over 100 designers, makers and artists present work including ceramics, paper goods, beauty products and more. 

 VISIT: KT City Farm does Christmas 

Today, through the weekend and into Monday,

Kentish Town City Farm

is the place to head (perhaps in tinsel-clad wellies) for some Covid-safe festive farmyard cheer. Grab some of their mulled wine and mince pies, enjoy the live music, purchase locally-made stocking-fillers, and (Sat & Sun from 12.15pm) meet Santa, holding court in an outdoor grotto, with no booking required. The farm are still looking for volunteers if you fancy helping out with the events. All the info here.

 THIS WEEK'S ONE-CLICK POLL On a scale of 1-10 how ruined do you expect your Christmas will be this year due to the latest Covid situation? 

LAST WEEK WE ASKED:

Is it good to report a healthy quarter of voters have Christmas all wrapped up and ready to go? Or should we worry about the 56% still working out if they can legally get out to all the shops in time to pick up everything they need? Interesting to see that sustainable re-gifting is now nothing to be ashamed of even if we did, rather unfortunately, include the word 'Scrooge' in that answer. Surely this has got to be a more eco-friendly, locally-sourced Xmas for many more of us this year, right?

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