THERE’S LOTS of shopping opportunities on the Isle of Dogs – one major supermarket and small versions of others. The large one is crowded, with queues at the till most of the time. The small versions are often untidy and under-stocked.

The alternative shopping venue – for those who are looking for good products and an efficient environment – is the Castalia Food Store. It sits in the middle of a row of shops in Castalia Square, just off Roserton Street on the eastern side of the Isle of Dogs.

Tidy, well-stocked shelves

A neat display of fresh fruit and veg stands in front of the shop. Castalia Square is pedestrianised, so the produce does not spend its life being doused by petrol fumes. Also, shoppers can get in and out of the store without having to negotiate a narrow pavement or dodge cars. Regular shoppers, from all communities, return for the small green chillies, which have a measured heat and a delicate floral flavour, and the ginger – fresh, moist and with a confident zing.

Fresh meat prepared in-store

Once inside, shoppers find a tiny store that packs a huge range of goods onto its shelves. The long shelf of spices and pickles offers everything you could want. Whole nutmeg? Yes. Shards of real cinamon bark? Of course. Want a change from lime pickle? The store is also thought to be the only one on the eastern side of the Isle of Dogs to stock aubergine pickle.

The shop also offers halal meat, expertly butchered in-store; those popular little drinks with the chewy bits in; and… well, why don’t you go along and take a look for yourself?

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