the rather fine and old fashioned delicatessen on Long Lane, Fine Foods, supplies handpicked specialities from Italy. The team are all Italian; a charming and relaxed bunch, offering as a matter of course great coffees but also a lovely range of pasta, cheese, meats, sauces and wines as well as sandwiches to eat on the go.
Since 2006, this quality little deli has successfully fed the people working and living nearby, as well as those just passing through. As the streets all around have become populated by new businesses, restaurants have popped up and the demand for seating often out-strips supply at 6pm. It was only a matter of time that this intimate corner shop would look to take its fair share and offer an alternative to the bigger, hectic places on the main drag, which are so often packed full of diners at the peak times.
Salsiccia luganega con polenta
Carmelo, the proprietor of Fine Foods had always nurtured a dream of having his own restaurant and as he approached a decade of successfully feeding the locals it was a natural evolution to refurbish his quaint premises to make room for a 20-seat restaurant. The work was completed in August 2014 and the new space was named ‘Locanda del Melo’. As well as a fine delicatessen counter for takeaway treats, patrons can now take the weight off and sit in the cosy atmosphere throughout the day whilst enjoying some home cooking, Italian-style.
“All of these are cooked ‘following the tips of our grandmothers’
On the menu are traditional favourites including Pappardelle al ragu Bolognese (no translation required), Salsiccia luganega con polenta (roasted sausages and polenta with salad), Carpaccio di bresaola con rucola e parmigiano (slices of bresaola with rocket and parmesan), Moscardini alla luciana (fish and octopus stew with tomato sauce and black Taggiasche olives) and lots more. All of these are cooked to traditional recipes, with seasonal ingredients and as they say, ‘following the tips of our grandmothers’!
The deli side of things is still there and packed with their usual little gems like the White Truffle Cream – just great when added to a bowl of fresh warm pasta, and the Baitock formaggella di montagna, a semi-hard “mountain” cheese with a mild but distinctive after taste.
Hampers by Fine Foods
It’s not too late to think about some culinary ideas for Christmas presents too as the customisable Christmas Hampers allow you to hand pick favourite charcuterie, wines, cheeses and jams and get them shipped all over the world.
Everything is on their comprehensive website so if you are interested take a look there to see what they have and when you pop along you can be ready with ideas or questions. The Fine Foods Deli online has almost everything you need, except a taste option! For that, you should just wander down and chat with Carmelo and his team, eat something wonderful and relax with a glass of wine or a coffee.
FINE FOODS DELI
& LOCANDA DEL MELO
218 Long Lane
London
SE1 4QB
t: 020 7403 7513
w: www.finefoodse1.co.uk
Quaint and cosy interior of Locanda del Melo
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