Last night, Armageddon came to Hitchin in a freakish climate-change-reveal electrical storm — complete with hailstones as big as conkers (well, marrowfat peas at least) — and flooded Hermitage Road. Crisis was averted as the water stopped mere millimetres from our threshold; others were less fortunate.
I really hadn’t previously considered sandbags a business expense…
But it has been nearly six months since we re-opened, learning how to sail our newly dine-in-shaped ship, and we’re pleased to see the business grow. A huge thank you to all our regular customers who have embraced the changes — and a hearty welcome to those who have only recently discovered our unique little space.
It’s been rather lovely seeing so many of you eating, drinking and generally making yourselves at home.
And I am particularly delighted that the furniture we picked up on our recent coastal break is helping you do just that. It’s a perfect little sun trap to enjoy a glass of wine & something to eat, and soak up the last of the rays as summer comes to a close.
Ian often comes up with what I think of as a crazy idea — think the Festive Tasting Evenings last November, featuring no less than our entire range of 40+ cheeses…?! *Back by popular demand this year btw. (“You’re welcome,” says Ian.)*
So, when he suggested a fish, cheese & wine pairing for our August Tasting Table, I knew I had to just roll with it. Those brave enough to join us thoroughly enjoyed it and unanimously agreed: “it is definitely a thing”.
Such a thing, in fact, that our new & improved fish board is here to stay, featuring a selection from Maldon-based Lambton & Jackson, including whipped smoked cod’s roe, beetroot-smoked salmon, smoked mackerel pâté, hot-smoked salmon & Atlantic prawns in Marie Rose sauce.
A generously filled sandwich outside The Little Deli. Wine, bites, and plenty of crunch.
…you’ll be pleased to know our signature lobster roll has earned itself a permanent place on the menu too — native lobster & monkfish bound in rich bisque sauce and topped with seaweed straw potato.
Personally, I’m planning to use my day off to come in & have one myself… come hell or er.. high water ☔
And this just might be our favourite news this month.
It’s not quite a fully operational Death Star yet — we still need to fine-tune the online ordering system — but every day we’re open, including Friday & Saturday evenings, you can now order your favourite Little Deli toastie or cheese and eat it at The Beer Shop!
No need to cut a perfectly good beer session short just because hunger strikes.
Until the technology catches up with the ambition, simply DM us on Facebook or Instagram, or pop into the deli and order. We’ll run it up to you when it’s ready.
Beer + Little Deli toasties. Frankly, it was only a matter of time.
A thoughtful wine tasting paired with artisan cheese and shared conversation.
Our next Tasting Table takes place on Thursday 24 September, and this time we’re getting funky.
British artisan charcuterie will meet six cheeses with special guest appearances from the washed-rind brigade. And, as if that isn’t exciting enough, with expert guidance from Jamie Ellis of Hedley Wright Wine Merchants, we’ll be showcasing, testing & tasting our new wine list.
Join us for a rare opportunity to be part of the selection committee!
Sharpen your pencils, scoresheets at the ready, and… Book your place at The Tasting Table.
Warm cheese fondue shared by the fire. A cosy feast for a winter evening.
We’re rapidly approaching autumn — or “cheese weather“, as Ian calls it — which means fondue is making its return to the Deli, this year joined by its close cousin, Raclette.
Watch this space for news of melty cheese nights in the deli or, if you’d rather be cosied up in your PJs & slippers, you’ll be able to buy The Little Deli fondue mix to enjoy at home — we’ll even lend you a fondue set for the evening.
Keep an eye out for Raclette & fondue dates coming soon
❤️ And This One’s for Us
A shared smile between two chefs captures the warmth of the kitchen.
This is an epic year. Not just in the life of The Little Deli, but for the House of Huckstep too.
We know he may not look it (well, apart from the devilishly good-looking silver fox bit), but Ian turned Silver Fox Fifty in January and I’m following up (less silver fox… literally typing this while having my hair dyed!) by becoming Fabulous Fifty in September.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, we reached the equally epic milestone of 25 years together – officially spending more of our lives together than apart.
So we thought, what better way to mark all this than with… an evening off!
I’m sorry [not sorry] to say we’ll therefore be closed from 5pm on Saturday 12 September. But Ian will be back bushy-tailed, if not necessarily bright-eyed, from 12 noon the next day.
As summer starts to show signs of giving way to cheese weather, we’re excited to see what the next six months bring. But first, a little celebration of how far we’ve come already.
With best wishes (and melty cheesy wishes),
Ian, Jenny & the team at The Little Deli
