Today we are in visiting a traditional Italian deli in Clifton. Divino Deli is an award-winning, Italian-run delicatessen. Here, tucked away in Blackboy Hill, you can experience the true essence of Italian cuisine. They only stock Italian food and have a huge range of quality cheeses, olives and antipasti, oils and vinegars, wines, liquors and dry foods imported direct from Italy. Their bread is baked by The Breadstore on Gloucester Road who deliver a fresh batch every morning.
GM: Ciao Francesca and Francesco! Thank you for sharing your time with so we can learn about your ‘Tardis-like deli-café’ as Mark Taylor from the Bristol Post described it. So, whose idea was it to open an Italian deli and why did you choose Bristol?
F: IT WAS A JOINT IDEA. WE WERE BOTH IN POOR JOBS SO WE THOUGHT WHY NOT!
I (FRANCESCA) WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP IN BRISTOL, ALTHOUGH MY PARENTS ARE BOTH ITALIAN. FRANCESCO ALSO HAS FAMILY HERE AND MOVED TO BRISTOL TO LEARN SOME ENGLISH, AND THEN MET ME! SO AS ITS NOW OUR HOME, IT WAS AN OBVIOUS PLACE TO HAVE THE BUSINESS.
GM: With your joint insider knowledge of Mediterranean food are there any destinations in Italy, Sicily or other areas of the Mediterranean that you would recommend for someone looking to go on a delicious, luscious and beautiful foodie holiday?
F: EACH REGION OF ITALY HAS ITS OWN SPECIALITY OF FOOD, FOR EXAMPLE NAPLES IS FAMOUS FOR ITS PIZZA, SICILY FOR ARANCINI AND CANNOLI, PUGLIA FOR ITS OLIVES AND OLIVE OIL, SO IT DEPENDS ON PERSONAL TASTE I GUESS. I DONT THINK YOU WILL HAVE A BAD MEAL ANYWHERE YOU GO IN ITALY.
GM: In your shop we can find and enjoy freshly made paninis, delicious patisserie, full Italian breakfasts, salads, desserts and pasta dishes. What is a full Italian breakfast? Who prepares this delicious food?
F: FOR BREAKFAST ITALIANS HAVE A COFFEE AND A CROISSANT OR BISCUITS. THATS ALL! THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY USUALLY HAVE A HUGE LUNCH. WE OFFER A SLIGHTLY WIDER RANGE OF CHOICE AT BREAKFAST IN DIVINO TO CATER FOR EVERYBODY. FRANCESCO PREPARES MOST OF THE BREAKFAST AND PANINIS, AND MY MUM ALSO WORKS IN THE KITCHEN AND PREPARES ALL THE HOT DISHES!
GM: We love your coffee; it has a lovely strong body with a nice crema. Can you tell us more about traditions drinking coffee in Italy? What is the most popular way to drink coffee?
F: CAPPUCCINO IN THE MORNING AND ESPRESSO ANY OTHER TIME OF DAY! THATS IT! NO LATTES, MOCHAS, AMERICANOS. IF YOU ASK FOR A LATTE IN ITALY THEY WILL GIVE YOU A GLASS OF MILK! COFFEE IN ITALY IS SIMPLE, QUICK AND STRONG!
GM: We run a health-conscious blog for vegans and vegetarians. What would you recommend from your deli for mindful eater?
F: MEDITERRANEAN FOOD IS ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST DIETS IN THE WORLD. SIMPLE, FRESH INGREDIENTS AND LOTS OF TOMATOES AND OTHER VEG. IN THE DELI WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF PASTA (which is not as bad for your diet as you may think) WHICH CAN BE MADE WITH MANY DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS. WE HAVE OLIVES, CHEESE, PESTOS, SAUCES….SO MANY FRESH INGREDIENTS FOR ANY DISH!
GM: Do you like to cook at home? Do you have a veggie recipe that you wouldn’t mind sharing with the readers?
F: AGAIN, SOMETHING SO SIMPLE….. FRY A BIT OF GARLIC IN OLIVE OLIVE, ADD SOME CHERRY TOMATOES, SALT AN PEPPER TO TASTE, COOK SOME SPAGHETTI, MIX TOGETHER! OUR FAVOURITE AT HOME FOR SOMETHING REALLY QUICK. WE ALSO UPDATE OUR WEBSITE REGULARLY WITH NEW RECIPES TO INSPIRE YOU!
G: Thanks again for talking with us. See you soon!
Interviewed by Jan Philips and Greg Macalla
Cook Eat and Travel 2016
To follow Divino Deli visit their website and FB page.
or contact: info@divinodeli.co.uk or 0117 946 6401
You can find Divino Deli at 1 Worrall Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2UF – just off Blackboy Hill at the top of Whiteladies Road.
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