I was given just hours to live! - Ari Friedlander - Pushet Pshat • Ep 32

I thought I was an airport. We had helicopters. Woke up by night. I just couldn't breathe. You go home and let the family know that he's not coming home. Fine restaurant. How come I'm flat as a pancake at the moment in the studio and the prominent faces I think in Stanford we've been through a lot of history in our community mainly from 98 So freelander welcome to pushup [snorts] and I'll let you introduce yourself and tell us where you from what you a bit about your background. So the woman is because we are destined. This could be one of the reason why I carried on in life the way you mentioned. [snorts] >> So where were you from? >> I was I was born my parents came from they were my mother was in Ashitz. My father was in Maten. They went after the water. Anyway, if move fast forward in 1957, my mother wasn't feeling that good. She needed a different environment. They moved to England and they moved to Vhant is Tosh the Bism Hopstein lived Mr. Hopstein hunters to Toshas Madrish. They lived upstairs. I was born in 1958, August 1958. And then a year later, my parents moved to St Killers Road 42 Sillers Road. So my father left. Yeah. [laughter] >> Occasionally there's there you know that. Okay. >> Um, basically that's it. And um, that's where I grew up. So, kill this road number 42. I went to Fek. I don't think there is a like that like something special >> what was and it was the school the school for people that started from the age of 3 years old upwards. >> I was there from three giving you it was a mixture a mixture of what's named these are one of the things I remember because I thank to this day >> you know what I mean especially in uh on that basis that's why We know so well today and he wouldn't go to Kimish kinder club always nice smooth touch and his rabbitson came to for the kinder it was just amazing school absolutely amazing whoever you ask anyone who learned [sighs] >> I can't remember when took over I don't know when when I think after he became old and >> interesting But I was there till I was 11 years old and from there I went to hinden road >> said to for two weeks didn't work out >> okay >> went to so and um it was fantastic I enjoyed every bit of it and so on. That time felman and Boka were the heads of the school and Jeffrey Davis was the headmaster plus Mr. Warner. It was an amazing school absolutely amazing surprise. [laughter] >> Okay. >> So I enjoyed it and from there I carried on. I went to Manchester Shiva when I was 13 years old which wasn't exactly the right thing to do. My parents were caterers. They were working day and night. So it was very hard and uh sent me off to yeshiva didn't work out. The first man of 13 years old it's not that easy but um said it's not for you here. I've got another schlazing back. Yes. I said no thank you. I grew up in schlazing. My father was cooking. I used to sleep in Schlazingers. I was uh you know Schllesing Shiva by the way was in Green Lanes. It was the most beautiful complex. Unbelievably the place there stunning place. >> Um >> no not in Fa >> it's um >> but you knew it's not for you and >> I knew it's not. So I came back home and my father said you know what let's try Sandland yeshiva and I went to Sandland for two years. What an amazing Shiva. What an amazing yeshiva as well. Whoever knows the history of Sandre and yeshiva was there for two years and then I went back to Manchester for two years again. >> It was okay. Yeah. I I we spoke about it in the last episode. So I I can understand the difficulties of going away. It's >> seems like journey. >> Yeah journey. No question about it. But um it worked out. It worked out. The Rashiva, the man Rashiva was something special. >> Yeah. Moving forward, >> the professional part of your life. >> Right. So I started after my father put me into a a training school by a company called Vogals. Bobby Vogle. It was jewelry. That was my first trade. I became a diamond engraver setter. >> Okay. I used to set and engrave and I think near enough a year training, year and a half training and uh I then went to work for a company called PH wedding rings which was the uncle in >> and I became one of the top setters and it was I enjoyed it. It was not an easy job but it was an enjoyable job and it was a hard job because when you do all the jewelries you have to make sure the grains are right and the you know the settings are right the stones >> and I did that for a couple of years I think zagoname those days used to be get the nice well you didn't go by wage it went by every stone that you set >> and within two years like everything um and they started undercutting the prices to mish wasn't worth to carry on. I gave up and I went to work with my dad in the extos. >> So your father is the exto. >> Yeah, my father had a hotel first, the Asian hotel and from the Asian hotel he sold hotel. >> Yeah. Hotel Brunch was further down just next to there was a hotel from Brunchtown. [clears throat] >> Yeah, exactly. >> Okay. And my father's hotel at the time was um where most of the casters were from people who live in the elderly people who are in Stanford today uh got married either there or there was another hotel next door that my father used to cater or in Stoke Newton Town Hall. >> Oh >> those were the halls at the time. Stoke Newton Hecne Town Hall. >> Mhm. >> Um my father and Mrs. Gotenmo were caterers. They were partners in in the hotel and catering and can I know I think there was I got how many families how many families today from Stanford got married there and >> so sat together stores grocery that's uh he went into egg stores bought the egg stores I was seven eight years old n I think seven n years old he bought it from a gentleman called Mr. Bloodstein uh fried and those days the extos was the exto right when this gold oil tank in the vent the tap there was a tanker that came to fill the oil up >> every two weeks weekly or two weeks filled up thing and that's you know there wasn't um hash things and everything used to be but for lost of mention >> herring was out of wooden barrels. Pickles were out of wooden barrels. We had a cheese counter. We had a smoked salmon counter with 10 different types of smoked salmon sliced. No, it was done on the spot. There was no um smoked salmon and >> everything cheese counter and there was chicken [clears throat] in the basket from the farm >> the eggs in bags by the way not in the same as >> yeah anyway so yeah and then from the ex doors my father passed way ex my brother took over. It was given to my brother and his wife and uh listen hard like like most businesses you know things happen but at the moment ext is where it is and there's something new coming. >> Yes we were very we were very big in herring. My father was very >> big. But but he just gave us a big spoiler here. >> Still in the food line. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Looking for >> in the food line. >> Do some research. >> Yeah. Okay. So, so um moving on from the >> not in the stores >> when I was with my father with my with my father. wholesale business wholesale wholesale business in um acrylic items. I did very well. I used to supply Harolds, Selfridges, these sort of people, I did well. But after after two years, one recession demos out again. So dishes or >> beautiful dishes, stunning dishes out of acrylic. >> I used to import from uh America, a company in America I dealt with. I did very very well for two years and but after two years it >> you know 2008 way before [snorts] >> 1970s. 1970s. >> The 1970s >> you're saying you did very well at the time and I think like potentially like or the nine I was never let's call it I >> how how how did you take it by the recession when you lost everything? Um, so I keep bouncing back, you know, you want to sit around and and who you blaming? You only blame yourself. It's you got to go forward. >> You straight away you want to the next thing or >> straight away. >> Wow. Which was what? >> Um, [snorts] I went after that I got I remember I opened a party store in the West End. had it for 10 years. I remember I did it more it was more for the go market. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And that was a 10 year success. Then again uh around I think it was just for was millennium time. I had an inquiry from Selfridges. Would you like to do a concession for two three weeks in think for the millennium >> which is what's a concession? >> 2000. a concession is that you have an apartment in in Selfridges. >> You set up shop in the >> I set up shop. It cost me a lot to set up. >> Yeah. But >> and I'll I'll tell you what the whole thing is. There was no butts. Basically, I went to a family member of mine and I asked him would you help me out here join to do see what we can do. Um I I can't put that sort of investment into it. So we looked into it properly and he said okay let's go forward. So, what do you think we'll do? Whatever. Kids, I'll cut the story short. Went in for two weeks. They came to me. I had a store in the West End, not far from uh Debenhams and Self came to me. No other what's said, would you like the concession? I said, okay. And when I say millennium, do you know what millennium is? Millennium is a 2000. >> To me personally, I think it was a bit of a flop, but >> okay. I invested and [clears throat] I remember turning over in two weeks £300,000. >> Wow. In those days >> in sages. Now I remember they take a commission a big cut of it as well. At the end of the day I came up with no profit. >> I had to open the business with Shabas. My [snorts] brother said to me, "Don't do it." One of my brothers says, of Shabas >> because it had to be open sages and then the boy who worked for me he fl not do it and I went against him I did it. >> Wow. >> So you didn't make any money? >> No money at all. >> But you didn't lose anything. >> I was left with £10,000 worth of stock which% Facebook. No, business because we to occupy if not he's going to be in trouble. [snorts] Easy journey. Yeah. >> And and we didn't reach halfway yet. >> By the way, in between that I was a policeman for 5 years >> while I was working at the extos. >> I got to be careful what I'm saying. >> Yeah. Yeah. Special constable. >> Okay. told you Madasha Stan who was a liazison officer at the time came and said we need oil from the >> famous the chief police chief police came to send please we we need we were having a lot of problems in Stanford at the time most the worst thing was the breakins daily breakins people used to they used to come and just smash the door open and just uh >> so we went we did training for near enough um I think near enough a year to 18 months maybe even we did every Thursday we had to go to another station we did training and then eventually we joined Even while we were training, we were radiated. >> So you say we >> me and big ginger I call him Mr. Maya Samson. >> Yeah. >> Who's my neighbor and he was a tough big boy bigger than you? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And uh >> Oh, bigger than me. >> I remember the times when we used to go on raids. Um we said, "Ginger, you go in front, please." >> [laughter] >> So, so joined by the Met actual police officers and yes big probably >> we did Stanford mostly sometimes they used to put out the area they asked us to cover the stations Newton the old Sto police station >> no way no arrested we avoided it >> no I'm not saying any further comments on that >> in those police officer. But back to back to my question ups and down and mention How did I get it through things different? But you got to remember one thing. I look back at where did I come from? My parents are survivors. They never went through. Now we didn't go through worse what they went through. Can I gave us everything that we wanted? They made sure we had clothes on us. We had everything. We we were happy children. You can't ask for more. Everyone has ups and downs. Everyone has ups and downs. We on this world. There's a reason. >> And that is what kept you going. >> Sorry. >> So that is what kept you going? >> Sure. 100%. >> We were very We were a very happy family. the we were very happy family. >> Look, the financial never broke you. >> No, >> just kept on. >> I I've got to say another thing I think because I went certain people might disagree with this but I went to Manchester Shiva. >> Yeah. in the free and I think that was a big big thing for all us whoever learned there whoever actually learned there and was happy to learn there it's it's it gives you everything% and 15 minutes. >> Wow. Okay, I think let's jump into the let's finish up the journey because of the couple of I think areas that we want to explore explore more. So, we finished with that party business in the city. >> I finished it in the year 2000. When we finished it was and I didn't really have a job after that and um I got a call on Pesak from a gentleman I hired very nice person by the name of Mk Moses whoever remembers him was uh Moses Travel two brothers Mkra and Shi they were partners in the Normandy hotel with the Shanto brothers >> famous Normandy hotel in >> Bas and he called me up and he said Ari Please help me out here. Sort of nearly a riot going on at the hotel in the I said discuss it with my wife and I said to my wife numeir do you want to go do you want to go down or not? uh you know second day she had already cooked everything for second days of pes >> said let's go let's see what we can do >> we drove down and I met up with the chef I went and did a little tour in the kitchen and either he didn't know or they didn't tell him I don't know what the story was at the time so I said went up to the chef and I say his name was Walter and I said to him Walter are you willing to work with me and listen to what I say? Yes or no? He looked at me and he says, "Yes, I'm desperate. Please help me out." >> I sat down with him. I took out an onion and a garlic and I put it on the table. I said, "This is your base of flavor." >> He looked at me like I said, "This is your base of flavor by Jewish food." I said, "From this, you can add whatever else you want to get the balance." Cut the story short, he's never looked back. Apparently, he's still there today when they're open. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> He was very good. I was on top of him. We we work together very well. Mr. Chef have their minds and they want what they want. >> So, I had to break through that and and he learned a lot over the years. We didn't look back for two enough nine years the hotel was success successful >> and you were based there all the time or >> right so this this was one of the problems I started for seven weeks after pes every shabas I went down >> mhm >> I got paid very nicely for the shabosum was just for the shabosim after the seventh week I got a call from one of the shanto brothers and he said we're on the verge of closing the hotel down we we don't want to can they made a loss on it whatever we're on the verge of closing it down would you like to take it over. I always liked the challenge. >> That's one of my things. >> And I said, "Okay, fine. But we're paying you so and so much." And so it wasn't as good of a payment, but I had no other job. I said, "You know what?" And I had to be there the whole week. Now, that was the hard part for me that I had to bring drive down every Wednesday to pick up the goods with the van. Used to get up 4:00 in the morning, >> drive down to London. We went to Bulmouth. Both. >> Wow. >> And uh picked up all deliveries through the day. Can arrived to London and I went to pick up all the deliveries and then I went to lie down for a few hours and then at night um picked up my wife and my son and we drove back down to Bournemouth arriving usually by midnight or 1:00 in the morning on Friday morning. And I had to unload the whole van myself. When I say unload, there was a lot of stuff. I used to bring the meat down on weekly basis, the milk down, everything. So is basically >> the hustle and the bustles. >> When I started in Normandy, I started off food-wise, the kitchen. Eventually within a year and a half later, you know after two, I took over the management as well. Um, we had to see what the problem was. There was a problem with the hotel and I changed it around. >> He asked many people who loved it and enjoyed it. Um, I changed the bedrooms. I changed the beds. I changed everything. Eventually it all became a place to come to. We we were busy >> until 2008. It was I had functions. I had weddings, second weddings that I did there. had the ra of the sons and I went walking with him and so on. So yeah, so normally Bant as far as I'm concerned the normally the time it wasn't easy. It was a success and it was hard because my wife was in London. My family was in London and I had a young boy which was hard growing up. Father's not here, not there. So that's another story on itself. >> So they came down every >> I picked them up >> every Thursday night. I picked them up and talking back I'm not shabas or Sunday morning or if I found the lift >> I drove bonus London on on like a daily basis >> sometimes even no once or twice a week I didn't have to do it I was there all week had to stay in the normally all week and eventually I opened a little deli for the kahill there as well it was you know >> the summer deli was something that uh was started by someone called and cuz he was at the hotel as well originally right in the beginning and Then I took over and it became amazing. >> Yeah. >> And even when you left the >> Norlanders food but you knew then personally that you have that part. >> Yeah. >> So when you left the Normandy you still went into food again. >> So we used to have a customer who come to the Normandy by the name of Mrs. Ita Simman. an absolutely great great person what she's done for the killer and does for the killer today with her family still there's no words for that that itself gave me strength and ben and a minute to go forward in life working at Sh me always one day Ari you and your wife are coming to Shville Square you're going to bring the ambiance of the Normandy hotel to Shville Square >> and I did it for 5 years I came came I moved from one day to the next. My wife, myself and my commie chef, second chef from Nundi brought him in. We took over the kitchen from a company cater plus who was they weren't happy with the food kids >> and u changed everything around from one day to the next and the chef is still there today. the sue chef. Your s chef >> as an Algerian chef and I'd leave the mansion chford square and he's there. You know how many years we're talking about? We're talking about 15 years. >> Wow. So connected mention >> yeah looks like it and square to me everything had to be done right in a certain it wasn't easy >> we had people who eat a certain type of food there people food >> yeah I learned something from Mrs. Simmon. First thing I did when I joined up there, first you wanted me to come in the kitchen. I came to the kitchen, took over the kitchen. Then I became the manager of the overall equipment, bedrooms, showers, the building basically any faults, whatever. That's what I took over I did for 5 years. So the food side stayed with my wife and and uh the chef, heist Mimo, very good boy. And um the rest I took on there was struggles, there was hard times, everything. And I remember one of the things I had to do is when someone passed away in Shel Square, there was such a thing called you have to go to the council and get the green the green form and all that sort of stuff and she asked me to go and get >> the form >> the form once. I went and I came back and uh was handling him with the the mess and uh I went up to Mrs. Sam I said Mrs. at her and I said to listen I don't think I can do this this is she said don't worry Harry you'll get used to it and I got used to it >> and it gave me such uh and to go forward looking at these people all sorts of people where they were coming from I I learned a lot from Shanful Square I to be honest with you if I could today I would still love to be at Shul Square >> yeah all It's not only an old age home the killer where they go. >> She also did affordable housing in Galat today have got affordable housing because of Mrs. Zimment and Sha Square is a place where people come. They were looked after. We I used to sing for them. I'm flat as a pancake at the moment. No, there's a whole story in Shanul Square itself which is one of the I'm sure one of the reasons I'm still here today. I I have many I have from the Normandy and I have also from Jean Square stories which is uh um can be spoken about but it's a bit too long I think. So, >> so you're mentioning the voice. >> When did you leave Shan Square and why? >> I left Shan. Okay. So, after Shan Square after 5 years, it became um like every business goes up and down. Shan Square when it's busy, it's busy. But when rooms become empty, they have to start looking at the the pennies. >> So, hours start getting cut and here and there. Soon is doing that and everything and it became look I said I have to look for something else and uh I had an opportunity someone came to me says look I've got a premises um would you be interested do you want to do it you own food place your own what's his name >> Delhi >> I went to look at it and u that's the start of Delhi 98 >> but you you wanted to call it something else I think >> I wanted to call it Ari's Delhi >> was the problem >> you work it Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> I can understand it. >> Yeah. Thank [snorts] you very much for your service. >> 100% 100%. But >> yeah, you got to remember, listen, at the end of the day, it's Kadasia Stanford. >> Yeah. Exactly. Don't want to. You didn't want to give up on >> my father. Look at my father always supporter always been with the best compared to your problem. many have tried. Yeah. >> Right. And it sticks to and you know >> and if you want Kadasi to survive and carry on, we have to support it in every way. >> That's a debate. But um so want them to survive. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I understand as well 100%. >> So journey from Delhi [snorts] 98. >> So you started with a smaller premises and >> I started a smaller premises >> and uh there was ups and downs as well. I was actually going to close it in I opened it in 2014 and I was going to close it in 2017. >> Wow. >> It wasn't doing well and suddenly out of the blue out of the blue whatever happened it sort of picked itself up and it carried on and managed to survive and carry on and until came to 20 actually in 2019 I had a heart attack. I went to Montreal for a for a kasa and I had a heart attack there and I had st put in I got through that as well and uh then in 2020 next door became available it was a betting office a gambling what's his name and uh I said to myself right um I'll go for it actually let's go back first was co >> first was co March 2020 Yeah. Uh it was about pumm time few days after pumm and woke up by night I just couldn't breathe and called ata one of the members can't remember who it was came I think pifco and um said I have to go in and I went into hospital and the last thing I remember is the my nephew visiting me and um while he visited me my last things that I saw him fainting >> he thought cuz he saw what was going on in the hospital how he got in I don't know he knew the security guard I think and that was the mask on in Hamilton [clears throat] and basically that's when I got COVID and I went into uh I was out for 11 days. I was on a ventilator for 11 days. >> Wow. >> And for that reason my voice is today like this. It hasn't come back. I've tried in mer various ways to get my voice back. I've been on certain things and but it hasn't worked. Hasn't come through. I've been told by various people come I can do it for you. I can do it for you. >> Your voice was important for you. >> Sure. We went about for 20 years. I used to have room to that was my place at the time. We said the Tory >> um our fifth exact mention was from Gdam Dorton the old days and yes yum I used to do shakris there was a gentleman by the name of Rabbi Kepla he did miss and after he passed away I took over the misf together with Rab Koski started doing it whatever but >> it's it's slightly better now and everything but I I cannot sing I used to sing a lot. >> Mhm. >> And so in the hospital co >> Yeah. So then they transferred me from um Hamilton to the Royal London >> just so aware of the situation but >> when I got to the royal Royal London I was sort of aware a bit and and I thought I was an airport. >> So we had helicopters against >> but it was there's a helipad up on the top but I was talking a lot of gibberish. I was shouting at the nurses. I remember certain things because certain things I couldn't do. And then slowly but surely um I was put into a ward with loads of other people. Of course, they were all sort of like closed off >> and [snorts] um I saw things which made me uh it gave me more a lot of first of all I'd like to thank all the nurses and talk. I was watching them. >> They had the podcasting, >> huh? >> They had the podcast. >> They had the podcast because I had the podcast. >> That's the truth. >> Yeah. >> And um >> you felt that they did do their best. >> They couldn't do more. I know I couldn't do more. I I suffered with bed sores as well. >> And the first two days the nurse came to deal with it. after that I didn't see her for weeks and weeks but I suffered on that as well. Um I went through a very very hard time and I don't think I can do it on here. It's it's but one thing I will say is the two at members who came to see me on a daily basis kept me going. I allowed to mention the names. Sure. >> All hats members are gavaldi did what they do it. There's no question about it. Any halprren and Greenberg came to see me on a daily basis even on Shabas. They bought Shabas for my wife. Little container of children always. >> Your wife was there. >> No, I didn't see my By the way, didn't see my family. I could not see my family. No one had access to >> for there wasn't. It was the hardest part. Not they to me that they managed to call the nurse. They had a contact with the nurse and took for the nurses. Do you know they they didn't even have food. >> I've been I've been a bit around then because I had better culture. >> I think I even visited him a few times because I was a volunteer in Royal London [snorts] if you remember. >> So I wanted to get into the that unit. The only way to do it is to get that's why I got access. >> I got I got twice from you. I think I took >> uh it was a Friday. I remember getting the bedside meal nice hot soup. It was very very good. >> It's it's some interesting saying the point that you didn't have contact. I I I had access to role free one of the hospitals I had official access and the only thing I did was going around and search it was like s room bodies and simple updating the mothers and fathers I have still people nowadays multi-millionaires from he thank you I still remember still remember your husband's I'm trying to ask like [snorts] what did you see? >> What did I see there physically in the hospital? But I >> What went through your mind? >> What went through my mind? I I was hoping to survive and see my family, you know, and then that that that was >> But you saw your situation deteriorate. >> Yes. It deteriorated. I managed to say all the time. I was I knew, listen, I'm in the Basher's hands. That's it. >> And do you feel that when when you came out, do you feel you reborn? >> 100%. 100% I was a new in that b in that in the min side complete change complete change >> mhm >> cuz I remember I remember the the feeling in stricand [snorts] was coming home it was like no one believed it no everyone was like this is a miracle I don't know how it happened and They told my nephew, "Mosesi, go home and let the family know that he's not coming home." >> Wow. >> And this one doctor, [clears throat] I'm not giving up on him. And this doctor came to see me two years later. Wow. >> Once I came out, came to the Delhi, he walked in, he saw me, he started crying. >> Wow. >> He started crying. We sat down. We hugged and he said to me, "Do you remember Mr. What's the first thing you asked for when you opened your eyes when you >> you asked do you remember >> no I asked for freezing zero coke [laughter] cuz I loved zero coke at the time freezing zero coke and none of the nurses wanted to look at me they said he's not allowed to he's not allowed to he went down bought me a small bottle and he bought it up for me with a straw [clears throat] >> okay I I Look in any way. I deal with all the raun in the nor as I'm saying 10 years at the norm. It wasn't just looking after the customers. There was a lot of we had groups. We had uh raon we had of Solomon to sit with him sons. I made the most beautiful shabas. It's you know >> based on who's who's who's your you believe the f of your you're neutral >> I'm very neutral but I'm very close to the sons today from >> yeah for natana >> oh >> yeah I >> you travel to him and you >> I I travel I haven't been for a while but I travel I'm close to the sound of I'm very close to him as well [clears throat] >> you like I definitely like it. I told you after when [snorts] I was with >> when he was in Yeah. So when when he was in in in Normandy, I had to go looking for him for a half an hour cuz we got lost somewhere on the beach. That's besides the point. I went uh a little bit later, a few year later, I went to to Edu. So I went Friday night as we call tish hunting. I don't know who he was. This is I came down takes me behind the reb you know the gate the door the little gate takes me sits me down in the back there I was alone no one else I'm sitting there we're waiting for the reb come in the reb came in sits don up in the corner don David >> finer bellzo >> he looks he sees me sitting there and he goes with his finger like that >> I said [laughter] I have no idea Dear, no idea. Anyway, I worked it out later. Probably the Gaba knew me as well. And the Gab Volv is it VVI? >> What's his name's father? >> No, >> France. >> France. That's right. Franos. >> I looked after him as well. They stayed in while I was at Normandy. I'm saying all these things come from the Normandy that I looked after him. So I reckon that's the reason they put me. The only downfall was that I couldn't get out for two and a half hours [laughter] stuck. Couldn't get out. That was it. >> Then I continued to rave and so on whatever. Um but yeah so I'm saying the being 9 and a half years at the normally I had this of meeting tons of people getting close to them and them giving me as well. we say about co I wonder that I'm back here and I'm able to speak to you guys I suppose it could be shown square as well the hundreds of people that I looked after who are a h 100red let me tell you while I was there in shield hind mentions in >> okay >> I mean is a l I didn't just look after them >> I d for the om in shul square I come to kashabas morning I used to come and sit there and sing with them midweek weeks. I used to sing with them. I used to go in, entertain them lunchtime. They were happy to see me. >> Credit for them while I still around. But a fighter, you are a fighter. >> Yeah, 100%. Hello. As long as you've got it. As long as you got it, keep going. >> You said about Delhi 98 going back that you thought in 2017 that you're going to have to close. >> Close. Exactly. Then, >> but you didn't give up. >> I didn't give up. And then CO came and then when I came out of CO I said right I'm going for this place next door and my kids my family said no you're not doing it you you got co just now it is I says no I'm going it and look today how everyone is happy let's say you came out your wife didn't want to have you in the shop and she officially after he came out was not given there's a person who helped me out in this by the way one first one is >> second is therapy I needed therapy to get back on my feet there's a lady from gold is green therapist she kept kept me going. Without her, I don't think I would have done it. >> No. >> She She and my my my wife. >> Unbelievable. >> Wow. >> I'd I'd love to play football again, but I I just can't. I still suffer today. By the way, first of all, you should know that I went in I went in with 100% kidney kidney working. I came out with 20% 27% working. Today it is 24%. I have to keep steady. I'm careful. You know, people see me say, "Oh, you look fantastic. Yes, I do. We are all in the hunt. >> Sometimes we don't see it. >> Yeah, I understand people who get upset. I understand people who get angry. But at the end of the day, you're only angry on yourself, no one else. You got to go forward. Gata, it's only you yourself who can do everything. If you want, you want to get something done, it's you that has to get it done, no one else. >> So, D98 went from being a small shop with this tiny counter. 12 seats. >> 12 seats. >> Green. That's right. To the massive to the massive. I don't know. is good. I I'll be honest with you, >> I would have stuck with a small one. >> 98. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz people in Stanford don't go out to eat so much. Young and a Thursday night that they do it and >> but midweek >> husband and wife together >> but there's still a need for it. Is this man? >> I did it. I opened it. It's there. >> We we spoke a few times already about it. Maybe just u but I want to because if someone wants to go with his wife. Yeah. He wants something more dine fine style. We spoke a few times about it. He does a dine fine restaurant. Separate entry. Fine dining restaurant. >> Proper fine dining. So I can do fine dining. I put a nice white table cover on. with cutlery and everything and I'll get a waiter with a nice thing in it. So I I don't know if people know, but I think it's a good time to mention it. So doesn't necessarily want to order from the counter to do a delicious menu. The sandwiches, fresh sandwiches, steak, salads. Insane fine dining fine dining experience. I told him a few times, let's do a few different things. Steak is delicious. Anyways, the flour. >> So, I can tell you what to We're looking at that at the moment. But it's very difficult >> now. We need to do it. >> Yeah. I'll explain to you the know one thing. Chicken salad is going to taste the same soft inside the oil olive oil. You don't got corn. very consistency >> consistency I don't think I've seen 70 items correct me probably more different type of options the fact of the matter was no I'm going to say something now which you might not agree you know. >> Can I know how old am I? >> Um 46. >> Thank you very much. But I'm in the late 60s. >> You You look young. >> And thank you very much. What's the recipe to do what I'm doing at the moment? Cuz I've been in Stamford Hill all my life. [snorts] And I've always said, unfortunately, you might not agree with me on this. You don't have to put it on. >> We're putting >> a sit down place in Stamford Hill will never survive. And what I mean by survive. I mean, yes, you'll take over and this and that, but you're not going to eat any great things. doesn't we in Stanford defense to misad husband or wife doesn't want to eat outside with you know with them it's it's it's a Thursday night vibe it's not >> no I agree with you I agree with you I >> I I've seen it I've seen from Mrs. Kh's takeaway by the wayfeld bought Mrs. Kh's uh takeaway was next to the egg stores lady called Mrs. on and my father was bidding for it for me. My father wouldn't pay the extra £1,000. >> So Schlmer got it and from there he did >> extra thousand a lot those days. >> From there yeah from that he opened Uncle Schlomies. But look you see what I'm trying to say is how many restaurants have you had here in Stanford or there is in Stanford today >> you got a you got Delhi 98. >> Yeah but Delhi was host >> take away Delhi is another story. >> Every every corner of restaurants >> that's what I'm trying to say to you. see how >> that's what I'm trying to say to you. Sit down. Unfortunately, I'd love I'd love it to work. Hello. I I like I said, I'm on the verge of trying to try something. >> I'm going to give the second part of the coin. I'm going to say, you've delivered an amazing product with promises to the next level. So, [snorts] Don't don't >> I'm not putting you down in any way. In any way to change part of it part dining and the problem is if I do that I have to start putting up whole new things like furniture- wise walls but I've also got to look at the side that I make shaver and shavers I need to have the whole place open. So I've got a way up where and where I'm going to >> was just I was just throwing my tooth two cents. >> Yeah. No, no. Hello. And like I said, I'm I'm I'm 67 years old. I've been there. I've done it. I've got the t-shirt. I've been through the washing machine, as they say in English. >> And And you kept the tradition of your parents to keep the family in the business. >> Yeah. >> I get the feeling to feed men. Giving people food people enjoy. >> I love it. >> I love it. My name is not Yesh for no reason. Sh. Father always gave everyone to eat. I like to give to eat. I like to give and I do give. >> The boys The boys made the boys made a whole thing out of it. I said I can't stop it so easily. It's it's a pleasure. It's been good to have you. >> Thank you very much. Yes, I always ask 30 second message for anyone 30 second message. What will it be? I am the message. I am the message is the only thing a person survives on. It feels it feels a privilege to be able to sit here with you after co and after everything and I I feel like it's genuine when you say the only thing that kept you going. So I think >> 100% >> I think but on that basis on that basis it's it's very important for you guys down. >> Yeah. >> Very important. interviewed 67 years old. Don't give me what's his name, but you know, listen, like I said, I know what I've been through the washing machine and come on >> stopping. Thank you for coming in and thank you everyone for listening. >> Thank you very much >> and I'm sure we'll see you on the next episode.