Downing Street Deli
Last week, only a few days open, Downing Street Deli was more like a coffee shop cum tea shop in a parlour masquerading as a deli. Today more like a tea shop in a corner shop.
Guy on deli side, very knowledgeable on what he is serving. Coffee bloody awful.
It has taken them a long time to open, weeks if not months behind schedule.
Very much a labour of love. It is as though one has gone back in time to a vintage shop.
An old coffee machine, a very old meat slicer.
They make their own fresh pastas and sauces, buy in bread and cakes from a bakery.
The cappuccino, I am sorry to say was awful and undrinkable. Served scalding hot.
Young barista, very keen and enthusiastic, but cannot make coffee.
It proves once again, you cannot train a good barista. Training only takes so far. It is a skill and an art. Only learnt by working alongside skilled baristas.
That is not to put the young guy down, far from it.
He would be well advised to go and work somewhere like Harris + Hoole or Surrey Hills Coffee in Guildford, then come back as an asset to the family business.
Barista only part of the problem, they need to buy in better quality beans. I sampled some of the beans bagged. No aroma. Try Horsham Coffee or Surrey Hills Coffee. They can also then as a deli, sell the freshly roasted beans, with roast date. As Krema sell Horsham, to offer an alternative, go for Surrey Hills.
Outside tomatoes and other salads and fruit and vegetables. Not sure if for show or sale.
With the excellent greengrocer now closed, there is a market. Or take over his shop.
With three coffee shops one also a deli, selling coffee, tea, cakes and bread, I cannot see Loaf surviving.
Loaf serves very poor quality tea and coffee, overpriced bread and they close early.
At the end of the day, if Downing Street Deli has cakes, bread, sauces or fresh pasta left, they ask customers if they would like it for free.
A nice gesture, food does not go to waste, and customers get to sample what they may not otherwise buy.
Loaf by contrast bins its unsold bread at the end of the day. Disgraceful behaviour.
Fresh pasta had gone when I looked in. I am looking forward to trying one day.
I did not see today, but a friendly cat is often to be found in the deli.
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