In a country like the United Kingdom (at least at the time of writing) where there is no food scarcity, or scarcity of material goods of any other kind, to see a queue is a very good sign. Dove's is a place of such genius that nine-tenths of the time there is a queue, sometimes snaking around the corner, a queue of salivating, goggle-eyed customers, ordinarily respectable residents of Battersea who by the unashamed abundance of raw meat are reduced momentarily to their basest primitive desires. Dove's takes its meat very seriously - primarily its quality and provenance. They stock superb beef, pork and lamb, all British, often free-range or organic, and offer valuable serving and cooking tips. You can order anything, no matter how unusual, including game and offal. It's one of two high-class excellent butchers on Northcote Road, with several generations of history. The shop itself is beautiful, conserving a number of original features. The staff are gruff and focused on the job possibly a tad more than on the customer - and that's exactly what you want from a butcher. The place is charming, and a very serious proposition for the serious foodie. An absolute gem. Makes me very happy. read more