Christmas the Shoreditch Way ( Part 1 ) – De Beavoir Deli
MiS
I felt like I knew shoreditch like the back of my hand, I had a dozen restaurants scribbled down that I wanted to eat at and the same amount of bars. However, there was something missing and it was crucial. Where does everyone buy their food? Does every Shoreditchian eat out for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Surely not, that would be ludicrously expensive. Where are you all possibly going to go to get your Christmas supplies when you only seem to have restaurants and bars?
I got my researching glasses on and delved further into Shoreditch than I realised I could. I had a strong idea of what to look for; places where you could talk to the owner about each item in the store and they could tell you why they stocked it and where it was from. Their products should be local, English and in season.
I can‘t speak for everyone but I’m tired of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers who run franchises, who stock things dependent on cost rather than quality and who hate it when you ask a question. It’s time to say goodbye to those time-wasters. Take off your going out clothes and put on some jeans, I’m going to take you to four places which will be your shining saviours, supply not just your Christmas Eve, Day and Boxing Day with enviously tasty food, but also places you start to go to on a regular basis, for the times when restaurants get tiring and your own kitchen more alluring.
DE BEAUVOIR DELI
Just up past Hoxton station is De Beauvoir Deli. This place is the bees’ knees, if those knees were polished and finely dressed. It’s so damn clean and lovely. The food is deli style, you choose from the counter and they make salads, sandwiches and platters – to go or to have in.
Now, I think we need to jazz Christmas right up this year. No, I’m not saying we should go crazy and get rid of Christmas dinner or a Boxing Day eating all the chocolates from Father Christmas; I’m pointing my finger at Christmas Eve. I’m thinking; platter of cheese, charcuterie meats and some buttery pastries. We’re doing it European style and it’s going to be delicious. De Beauvoir Deli, as if they knew the plan, sells just that. You go and choose the bits you want for each platter and take it home all wrapped up and ready or you can leave it in their hands -phone in and then pick it up the next day.
The deli has nice, high standards with their dairy and meat products, which is commendable and makes the platter purchasing pretty easy. Have fun, go wild with your cheese choices – brie with Sussex Charmer! Oh you wild thing. The platters can be sized depending on how many mouths they’re feeding. If you’re on a tight budget then tell the deli there are only two mouths to feed but have it as a starter for the table. If you’re having a shin-dig then the platters are brilliant, just get everyone to put £5 in.
But, hold my pipe for a second, there’s more than just platters here. They have hampers and a whole array of food things to give as gifts. Have you got a person on your Christmas list that’s as hard to buy for as my Nana? Those people can be sorted out in one trip – I’m going quarters with my brother and sisters to get Nana a hamper – we’ve chosen the ‘Small English Hamper’, because she’s incredibly small, English and loves her food as much as anyone should. The hamper is full of really well chosen bits from around the country; my favourites are the South Devon farm Chilli Chocolate and The Garlic Farm Chutney. There are a few different hampers on offer so have a good look – everything is on their website in case you want to browse before going to the Deli itself.
Support your local shops and have a very Merry Xmas.
