#35 WFD Gift Guide.

Part 2, deli edition.

Last week we delved into restaurants that would double up as great gifts.

Whether it be a gift credit, or physically taking someone you love to a restaurant you think they’ll love, food is always a gift gratefully received.

So for this edition, we’re following up with all things grocery, hampers, merch, the lot.

Without further ado, the Where’s For Dinner Gift Guide, Deli Edition.

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The Gift of Deli Essentials

Image by Stokey's Deli

Where to shop:

The Pantry, Forest Hill
Fresh pastries, flowers, condiments galore, turned evening bar with great offers on drinks and snacks.

Stokey’s Deli, Stoke Newington
I had a field day in here. So much choice for a relatively small space.

Henwenn’s, Forest Hill
Technically a butchers. Sausies for Xmas anyone?! Recently opened, I love this spot for fresh meat, but they also sell very cute grocery bits from local makers, wines, and even t-shirts.

Left shot by Prezzemolo & Vitale, and right by Hennwenn's

Deli Twenty Two, East Dulwich
Great little spot to pick up any extra grocery bits from nice brands. Get a slab of their Basque Cheesecake while you’re there…or buy the whole one for an alt Christmas Day dessert.

Prezzemolo & Vitale, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Borough and Wimbledon
A proper Italian Deli. I love this place just to browse, because I always find new treasures. Brilliant for fresh gluten free pasta and pizza bases, and treating them (or yourself) to fancy hams and cheeses.

Lina Stores, multiple London locations
Another Italian favourite, with a great section of fresh pasta and sauces. In Soho, pop downstairs for a cocktail in their secret bar whilst you shop.

Luigi’s Delicatessen, Fulham
We can’t mention Italian delis without calling out Luigi’s. They really nail their thing. Visit at Christmas and find hundreds red presents hanging from the ceiling.

Photo by Luigi's (left) and Kim Lien Mini Market (right)

Kim Lien Mini Market, Peckham
A family-run Asian supermarket with a fab collection of foods from Vietnam, China, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand. Very well organised and great prices. Plus they have a mini poodle. What’s not to love.

DELLI, online only
DELLI has had a hell of a year, and it’s thoroughly deserved. A treasure trove of a website stacked and stocked with the coolest food brands. Look out for offers, collabs and special boxes. Their Instagram is also a great source of inspiration of what to do with your new ingredients.

Images by DELLI

What to buy:

For the pasta enthusiast
Fresh pasta by the box-load, from Lina Stores.
Gluten free? Get your hands on this Gragnano Gluten Free Rigatoni from Fabbrica Pasta.

For the pickle obsessor
Eaten Alive Pickled Cucumbers - these are my very favourite pickles.

Or maybe just encourage them to pickle their own with this pickling juice.

Fave Torres crisps -pickled flavour(!) - like an elite lingering of Monster Munch.

Images. by Eaten Alive and Milk

For the cap collector
Milk might be one favourite brunch spot. I have one of their tees already, but I love the cap.

For the non-boozer
I’ve done my fair share of booze free stints, so I’m finding I’ve got quite the collection going.

Image by Wednesday's Domaine

Wine, it’s gotta be Wednesday’s Domaine (with 6 different offerings). Hits the spot for every mood.

For spirits, I’m loving locally SE owned Mother Root, served with soda.

And AF beer has got to be Big Drop. Gluten free and Alcohol Free is just so hard to come by. Plus they do a range of larger and IPAs.

Images from Coggles & Mother Root

Plus why not gift alongside a new set of coloured glassware. This HAY pair from Coggles,

For the sweet heat lover

Images by Dr Sting's & Milk

Local SE London based Dr Sting’s hot honey is the ultimate stocking filler IMO. Found it lots of London delis and online here.

Another great topping, is Milk’s Hangover Sauce.

Images both by Delli

For the one who has everything
A hamper just does the trick. This is DELLI’s ultimate Xmas Hamper.

Or perhaps, a little party starting hamper for NYE.

For you…after all that shopping
Nab a free tote from Delli when you spend £60. For you to keep, obv.

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What’s “Where’s For Dinner?”
Every week I’ll be tempting you with where your next meal out could be - one in London, one in the UK, and one beyond. All places I want to try, but haven’t yet.

I would love for you to subscribe (button below), so we can enjoy these places together. And if you have got any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them.