Fay Maschler's week in food: Shoe Shop in Tufnell Park, Cecconi’s and Beast

1. Fond memories of my children rating most highly suppers of pasta with eggs, cheese and bacon came to me while eating exceptional penne carbonara (using guanciale) at Paul Merrony’s delightful Shoe Shop in Tufnell Park.

2. Shared a perfect Dover sole with my friend Ann at Cecconi’s.

3. Chocolatier Paul A Young created dark chocolate and salted cucumber sandwiches (pictured) at a Grosvenor House event to launch Big Chocolate Tea Party, to fund parents staying near their children in hospital. We can all help here: sickchildrenstrust.org/bigchoctea

4. Norwegian King Crab at boisterous Beast with flesh as pure as snow and taste — as Lawrence Durrell might have put it — as old as cold water.

5. Scallops and prawns with chilli jam from a Goose Box delivered by the restaurant 1 Lombard Street for cooking with restaurant finesse at home.