Your local ethical deli/coffee shop

Churchfield Road's favourite ethical coffee shop/deli Vanilla is now well-established in its new home. With many more tables and an outside garden area, Vanilla is able to accomodate more eat-in customers. It still serves its delicious range of teas, coffees, soups, salads and sandwiches but there is much more available than previously. Janice and Danielle Heskett say the ranges they keep are constantly changing and expanding and they still like offering "the things you can't get in supermarkets".  

Janice has also taken on more staff.   Their loyal customers will tell you that the new Vanilla is "much more user-friendly." They now stock ready-made sandwiches and salads for those in a hurry.  

The private catering side of the business continues to expand and of course their wonderful veg boxes are still available for delivery in W3 or collection from the shop.  

Vanilla offers a much wider range of items for sale in their new premises but they still try to buy as much as possible from local producers and wholesalers.   

For those who want to eat in, there is a different flavour of soup available every day, plus sandwiches and paninis and wonderful salads. There are also smoothies, soft drinks, teas and coffees.  

Here is a taste of what you can buy at Vanilla.

Fish from Channel Fisheries/Fishworks

Many different varieties of fish available, including bream, sea bass, pollack, dover sole. There is also some smoked and frozen fish available. If you want something special it's best to order in advance. The fish is delivered fresh from South Devon on Thursdays  

Cheese

Many different cheeses available including lots of British cheese, White Lake and White Nancy exciting British  goats cheese, English organic somerset brie, organic Stilton and Godminster.. very special cheddar. They also stock Parmesan, French speciality goats cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves and many more.. and you are always welcome to taste..  

Bread

The bread at Vanilla is supplied by The Flour Station in Battersea.   

Organic Meat

This is available to order but Janice keeps stock at the weekend.  

Crisps

British-made crisps from Easy Anglia in various flavours.  

Cakes

Many different varieties of Cheesecake are always available; also chocolate and carrot cakes.    

Chutneys and Jams

Delicious chutneys from the Kitchen Garden, Also a range of Isle of Wight garlic chutneys.  Their Caramelised Onions with Red wine is a particular favourite.

Sauces

Vanilla has expanded its enticing range of pesto and antipasti from Seggiano who also supply delicious Italian flatbreads.  

Antipasti

A good range is available, including olives and sun-dried tomatoes  

Hams and Salamis

The range comes from locally based supplier Villanova who make a point of buying their products from small producers.  

Juices

From Luscombe in Devon.  

Yoghurt, Milk, Cream, Butter

Yeo Valley Yoghurt and Greek Yoghurt; double organic cream; farmhouse butter from Longmans farm, Organic milk from Manor farm.  

Rice, pasta and pulses

A good range is available, both dry and tinned. Also quick and delicious porcini mushroom rissotto.  

Chocolates

Divine Fairtrade chocolates sits beside Montezuma and award-winning British chocolates.  

Pottery

Rupert Blaine makes hand-glazed individual oil pourers and other covetable items.  

Art

The work of local artists hangs on the walls with contact details.  

January 17, 2008