Chop chop – a sinful treat for the greedy and idle

Gluttony and sloth. My two favourite deadly sins. 

I’d become a bit concerned lately that eating out – a treat that should be as sinful as possible – was getting increasingly virtuous.

Out with the family recently we’ve found ourselves in the kind of buffety restaurants where people can choose the stuff they really want to eat and, theoretically, everyone is happy. And if we don’t go there we wind up in chain restaurants where there’s no surprises and the calorie count is printed in the menu.

Few things kill the joy of a dining experience (or meal, if we’re being old-school about it) faster than knowing exactly how many miles you need to cycle to burn off the starter alone. And being made to walk to the other end of a room to collect your own dinner and carry it to your table before you’ve eaten it doesn’t improve matters either. Carrying it around after swallowing is unavoidable.

Oh and I’m not mad keen on thinking too hard about it either. Mile long menus (especially in italics) are simply a chore. 

And in either instance – improbably identical or in a Bain Marie way over there on the other side of the room – does nothing for taste, freshness and stimulation of saliva. 

So an invite to Chop Chop’s new place in Glasgow‘s Mitchell Street was a welcome treat and worth braving horizontal rain and icy puddles for.

Inside though, it was warm and there was blossom on the trees (really). More importantly, there were noodles, dumplings, crispy shreds of potato, cucumber salad, soup, ribs and chicken wings. All of it delicious and fresh. The only thinking you have to do is to figure out how to eat so much.

The deal there, called a rolling lunch (later I realised it was because that’s the only way you’ll get back down the road), is that lots of lovely food arrives and, apparently, keeps coming until you beg for mercy.

My friend Debbie and I have risen to many challenges over the years, but this one eventually had us throwing in the towel. But, Chop Chop we will be back… it may take many years, but we will defeat you.