A selection of delicatessens that bring a touch of the continental and great local produce to the county
I was chased out of the world famous Carnegie Deli in New York once, for the crime of ‘only’ tipping the surly waiter 10 per cent, writes Tony Greenway. He managed to be both astonishingly rude and glaringly indifferent, so frankly he was lucky to have got that; in fact, until he counted his change, he couldn’t have been less bothered about us. Afterwards, he turned into Joe Pesci in Goodfellas and ran after us yelling some very un-Yorkshire Life things, the details of which we won’t trouble you with here. Let’s just say most of his suggestions were anatomically impossible.
I haven’t been chased out of a Yorkshire deli — yet. And I do love a deli (as in any place that has a sprawling counter loaded with sweets and savouries or a mix of both). You’ll no doubt be horrified by the omissions in the list below but go easy, there’s only room for a handful of names Anyway, here are just some of my dead cert deli favourites.
Weetons, Harrogate It’s a fairly obvious choice, I suppose, because you don’t have to live in or near Harrogate to have heard of Weetons (The Times voted it as one of the top 25 places to have brunch in the whole of the country). But, then, it’s does make it extremely hard for you to ignore because its stocked food hall, includes a vast range of delicious deli favourites such as olives and antipasti, pates, pies, pasties, cured meats and cheeses. www.weetons.com
Field and Fawcett, York Field and Fawcett, run by the friendly husband-and-wife team of Peter and Cathryn Fawcett, isn’t simply a great deli. It’s also a wonderfully well-stocked wine merchant, which is extremely handy if you’re looking for a one-stop shop where you can buy the right vino to go with your cheeses, breads, olives, charcuterie, etc. If you don’t know your Chablis from your Shiraz, that’s OK, because Peter with 30 years’ experience in the wine trade, can help you make your selection while Cathryn points you in the direction of everything from cured meats to a head-spinning range of British and European cheeses (including Wallace’s favourite, Stinking Bishop) and excellent sausage rolls. www.fieldandfawcett.co.uk
Hunters of Helmsley Now celebrating 25 years in the business, this is a famous Yorkshire deli specialising in local and continental food and wine that’s also as pretty as a picture. Winner of this year’s Best Small Shop Competition (owners Chris and Christine Garrett were handed the award at a House of Commons ceremony), its deli practically groans under the weight of locally and internationally sourced produce including cheese, Yorkshire hams, pate, salami, bacon, sausage, quiches, pies and black pudding. www.huntersofhelmsley.com
Le Langhe, York Italian favourite Le Langhe got so big and popular that it had to move from its shop near York Minster to bigger premises at Peasholme Green. It serves lunch and it serves dinner; but, as you enter, you have to go past the deli counter which is simply outstanding. If cheese is your thing, you’ll love it plus there’s a range of balsamic vinegars from Modena, fresh truffles, cured culatello ham, beef, pasta, tarts and bread. www.lelanghe.co.uk
The Greedy Greek, Sheffield A fabulous family-run deli overflowing with dips (meze, tzatziki, strofilia, hummus, etc), olives, Greek starters (I love a stuffed vine leaf), Greek sweets and all kinds of delicious Mediterranean/Aegean goodies from baklava to fried halloumi. This really is the taste of Greece and if you can’t find the Greek delicacy you are looking for here, chances are you won’t find it at all... www.thegreedygreekdeli.co.uk
Urban Pantry, Sheffield A family-run delicatessen in Crookes, in Sheffield, which opened in 2012 and has been causing a stir ever since, winning Eat Sheffield’s Best Independent Retailer award in 2013 and being named runner up in the Observer Food Monthly Awards’ Best Independent Retailer category in 2014. www.urbanpantry.co.uk
Blacker Hall Farm Shop, Wakefield The award winning Farm Shop at Blacker Hall has built up quite a reputation over the years. The Deli sells quiches, pies, cheeses, charcuterie, cooked meats and Yorkshire deli produce. The freshly made sandwiches use bread from their own bakery and and cooked meats from their Butchery and local farms. blackerhallfarmshop.co.uk
Miele, Rotherham This deli on Rotherham high street is only a year old and has a decidedly Italian feel to it. Meats, cheeses and olives are available and the coffees have become the talk of the town as well as the gelato counter. www.facebook.com/pages/Miele-Delicatessen/256544407840027
Nichols Vegetarian Deli, Chapel Allerton Catering for vegetarians and vegans, it's situated in the Chapel Allerton suburb of Leeds items on sale include flavoured tofu, a selection of vegan and vegetarian cheeses, local rapeseed oil and gluten free pasta www.nicholsvegdeli.co.uk
Hayley & Clifford, Leeds This award winning deli prides itself on its range of local produce to compliment products from around the world. Local cheeses such as Wensleydale, Swaledale, Mrs Bells Yorkshire Blue; Produce includes Raydale Preserves and Womersley’s Fruit and Herb Vinegars. www.haleyandclifford.co.uk
What are you favourite delis? Send us a tweet at @Yorkshire_Life or leave a comment below
