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Ron Marx, right, with owner Vincent Robato |
Healer prescribes simple food to nurture the soul
Osteopath Ron Marx finds the Spaghetti House’s fresh fish and warm welcome
are quite the tonic.By Peter Gruner
HE is one of London’s top osteopaths, but when Ron Marx is seeking a little spiritual healing of his own, he heads for the Spaghetti House in Tufnell Park.
Ron, 52 – whose clients include former spin-doctor Alistair Campbell – describes the restaurant as a gastronomic oasis in a world of traffic, noise and stress.
The Spaghetti House – which is not part of the chain of the same name – is directly opposite Tufnell Park Tube station.
Although it may look like a greasy spoon café, once inside there is a typically friendly Italian welcome, thanks to owner Vincent Robato.
Ron, who has been coming to the restaurant for more than 20 years, says the food, which Vincent cooks himself, is always delicious and incredibly cheap.
Vincent also has an extraordinary ability to make everyone warm to him – including the masses of children from nearby Acland Burghley school who line up at the counter for their pasta dishes each lunchtime, avoiding school dinners.
A former medic in the Israeli army, Ron turned to complementary medicine after becoming disillusioned with conventional treatments. He runs the North End Practice at nearby Burghley Road, Kentish Town.
When Ron started in 1981, osteopaths were few and far between. In the early days, he charged £7 a session, but today it is £40, with reductions for the unemployed.
“I enjoy using my hands to help people, and osteopathy is very good for getting people out of pain,” he says. “Patients may come with physical pain and discomfort from sports injuries or poor posture at work.
“The function of an osteopath is to reassure the patients, help them understand the source of their pain and guide them as to how to avoid problems in the future.
“Osteopathy can also help people suffering from stress,” he adds.
Indeed, after treating patients all day, Ron himself needs to unwind and relax.
“There’s something about the atmosphere at Vincent’s restaurant and it’s all thanks to him,” Ron says.
“There’s the touch of the healer about him. You feel he is a very good man. Interestingly, many of my patients feel exactly the same way about him.
“And I’ve seen diners come into the restaurant looking distressed or depressed and by the time they leave they’ve cheered up.”
Ron normally has the fish of the day, which he says is always very fresh.
“It’s simple food but well crafted and very quick. Vincent is a genius.”
Ron and I shared a silver platter of fish.
I had to agree it was succulent, absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection.
It contained dorade, swordfish, king prawns and mussels – all fried in a light sauce of mixed herbs, garlic and white wine, and served on a bed of salad. It came to £8 each.
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| Your Comments: |
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Hi, I'm down here in South America, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. I was
reading some online papers and found this article about eating out. I felt
pretty envious about those people who live there and can go this nice place
and have this tasteful food! Lots of good times there for everybody. Go on
cooking delicious plates , Mr. Robato! And Mr. Marx congratulations for the
good work on osteopaths. Hugs and Kisses.
Claudia Cruz |
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