Eating Out

The Deli, in its prominent position on the main road, catches my eye whenever I pass so I took a Saturday morning stroll with my two sons to try it out.

At 11am, staff there were still kneading the dough for the fresh foccaccia bread and preparing the lunch menu, so we took a seat in the small and stylish surroundings and I ordered a tasty cappuccino.

We were looking for a brunch to fill us up in what to children is too much of a gap between breakfast and lunch.

The helpful staff suggested Mozzarella cheese in foccaccia, heated through in the oven so it was warm and melted, offering the option of French bread too. It went down very well - at a great £1.30 each - with a cold drink for the boys, and I indulged in a second cappuccino.

In retrospect, I wished I'd gone a bit later, as the lunchtime specials included vegetable pie and salad at £2.80, meat cannelloni, steak bocsaiola with rice or salad for £4.90 and the tasty-sounding braised mushrooms in tomato sauce with polenta, for £3.90.

Sitting in the caf, it was a bit too quiet to be entirely comfortable, although the radio was cheery. As we sat and, children permitting, I had a quick look through the morning papers provided, there was a stream of people coming in to take away sandwiches filled with cured meats, Italian cheeses and salad.

A deli counter means customers can buy their own parma ham or other cured meats and cheeses, as well as taking home a chunk of the foccaccia bread for 50p. The bread was lovely, and I bought some for my husband.

There was a small selection of sweets, and the boys had a slice of strawberry gateau each, which they enjoyed and I thought was OK. With a total bill of £11.10, I thought this was a good deal.

Definitely worth bearing in mind for a relaxing coffee, a lunchtime snack or supper after work. The Deli is now fully licensed, too.

Jan Winter

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.