• 5
• HAPPY HAPPY, JOY JOY!!

On Goldfrapp's first record there is a track called 'Utopia' and it could certainly be the theme song for Smith & Deli (well for me anyway.) The first weekend there was a long line and certainly lots going on. I was bouncing off the walls with choice and excitement that a place like this now existed. The staff are enthusiastic and seem really pleased to be engaging with such happy customers. All are up for a chat and knowledgeable about the products on offer. Dry goods, freshly made bread, all sorts of stuff including S&D ready to go meals, their own dips and salads etc. But the main attraction is the sandwich bar and dessert cabinet. On the standard menu there are 33 sandwiches...yep seriously. Most with pretty good names too. 'Piggy Bundy', 'Club sandwiches not seals', 'Hail seitan' anyone? The fillings range from a simple ham, cheese & tomato to the more unusual. 'Home alone' has turkey, stuffing, roasted brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce w mash and gravy :) I did make a promise to myself that first day to try all of them, eventually. 'The Wiggum' might be next with BBQ grilled tofu, maple BBQ sauce, slaw, pickles and chipotle mayo. Did I mention that there are also daily soup and pie specials? The chicken and leek pie was faultless. Everything that you want in a pie; rich generous filling with crisp layers of decadent pastry. I'm not much of a sweet tooth but that has changed recently due to all of this goodness now being available. There are other places with good vegan cakes and pastries but they don't always hit the mark, usually on taste or texture and sadly some miss on both fronts. Certainly not so here. Vanilla slice is a must for me as it reminds me of being a kid (as does the egg salad). Glazed doughnuts are moist and flavoursome, cinnamon buns & coconut choc jam slice all get the thumbs up. They rotate the desserts often and the team are very much aware that people have already become addicted to their favourites but may not be available on each visit. I think I dreamt that I saw a homemade apricot bread and butter pudding in the freezer as I foolishly didn't buy it and have never seen it again. Shannon and Mo have really hit the nail on the head with the Deli. There has never been a better time to follow a vegan diet in old Melbourne town. Nor a better time to discover how tasty, accessible and flavoursome food can be without any animal having to suffer for hedonistic tastebuds. Winning all round. Very happy days.