LOCANDA del Melo

Fine Foods Deli on Long Lane opens its doors for restaurant dining too

Laconda Del Melo Long Lane Fine Foods London Pasta Pappardelle al ragu Bolognese

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.

Laconda Del Melo Long Lane Fine Foods London Salsiccia luganega con polenta Sausages Polenta

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.

Laconda Del Melo Long Lane Fine Foods London Gift Hampers Christmas

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

Laconda Del Melo Long Lane Fine Foods London Restaurant Interior Table Wine

Quaint and cosy interior of Locanda del Melo

Also from this Edition:
  • Prego An irresistible attitude to food and hospitality at Olivelli
  • a world of FEASTING Food for the season at home and abroad
  • LOCANDA del Melo Fine Foods Deli on Long Lane opens its doors for restaurant dining too
  • A bit of SPARKLE A look inside the methods and qualities of our favourite glasses of fizz
  • winter SPECIALS January deals to enjoy when the Christmas party is over
  • not a MULTIPLE CHOICE The 'Women Fashion Power' exhibition showcases at the Design Museum
  • SHARE the secrets The Lounge Hair Salon is a great place to discover the secrets of good hair-care
  • the winter in BLOOM From beautiful Lillies to Valentines Roses, the sweet scent of flowers can last all year long
  • GLAD again Revisiting an old haunt, and an old style of music
  • FAIRYTALES for young and old Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales return in an immersive storytelling experience
  • Entertainments Listings Winter seasons listings
  • a true INSPIRATION The 'Inspiring Women' Campaign stopped off in SE1 to talk to girls about their career potential
  • competition winner: TANGLED A Short Story
  • DREAM Homes A new feature, looking at homes for lottery-winners and oligarchs
  • VISITING Clapham North Taking a walk through South London's 'village by the short hill'

	
Other Stories