Just 20 minutes on the train from New Street Station towards Sutton Coldfield lies the leafy suburb of Boldmere, where in 2011 Pippa Goode opened a foodie haven, The Deli in Boldmere. How she managed to avoid the obvious name of “Goode Food” is beyond me, I can’t help but love a pun. The frontage is modern, and wouldn’t look out of place in any of the smartest streets.
The deli stocks everything you’d expect it to: jams, chutneys, oils, vinegars, pulses, pasta, coffee, Ortiz tuna, bread, cakes, pastries, honey, and most importantly – marvelous cured meats and cheeses. We went along for an intimate private tapas night at the deli, and greedily tasted everything we could get our hands on. It was all cooked by Pippa and co-owner, with serving help from her son – it’s a proper family affair.
I’ve had tapas in Spain but few places replicate the experience in a pleasing way back here in Blighty, the deli managed it admirably. The food was served as we chatted over wine, it was a drawn out affair over several hours. We started with prosciutto, rocket, and manchego cheese drizzled with local honey (hard cheese and honey – delicious).
Dishes kept on coming including vegetarian offerings of baked goats cheese, mushrooms stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts, bruschetta with ripe tasty tomatoes and basil, and Spanish omelette. There were plenty of meaty dishes too: meatballs, the most delicious chicken with olives, chorizo topped with fried egg, and garlic king prawns. To finish we had an epic cheeseboard and a raspberry cheesecake that was perfectly creamy and sweet.
Private tapas nights start from £12 per person, but we went all out for the £25 per person 
option which includes several more different tapas dishes and bring your own booze – great for the wine lovers to spend the evening drinking special bottles from their own cellar with excellent food.
Pippa is keen to increase the deli’s standing as a centre for Boldmere social life. As well as the private hire for tapas and parties she has instituted a monthly knitting night, and Summer Tapas Fridays consisting of a set menu of 8 tapas dishes plus a sweet for £15pp available from 6.30 till 9, with Mediterranean wines and beers available.
The deli is open seven days a week and you can pop in for breakfast between 9 and 12 (£6 for a full English). Obviously you can go just to buy groceries like artisan bread, but you’ll doubtless stay for a sandwich (from £4), sharing platters (from £9.50), a glass of wine, coffee, tea, and cake. Or treat yourself and go the whole hog with high tea for £12 per head.
The deli and its staff are charming and competent, and I can’t see how it can’t go on to get busier and busier over the next few years.
Thanks to Pippa and her team for a super night.
OUT IN BRUM 