A l'Italia!

Although new to the city, there is one place that seems to be mentioned in unfair quantities by guidebooks and that is the hallowed Valvona & Crolla.

It being a bleak, grey Saturday morning, me and husband decided to have ourselves a brunch in this almost mythical establishment. A plus is that it is only minutes away from home.

At the doors you find yourself waiting for the people streaming in and streaming out in a fug of contented foodie happiness. Find a break and head into the all enveloping world of Valvona & Crolla.

Rows of hams and sausages hang from the double height ceiling and there are shelves as far up as you care to crane your neck.

Counters hold refrigerated treasures from cheeses to meats to heavenly looking vanilla pods to oat cakes. Further along vegetables, hand-made pizzas, gnocchi and more. Bon-bons, choccies, biscuits and nougat give way to beautifully crafted wooden salad bowls, rows of oils and vinegars, wicker baskets filled with breads, brioches, pastries and muffins. And then the wine, oh the wine!

Onto breakfast and into a bright clean barn like addition to the shop which doesn't entirely gel with the atmospheric den of the main deli. I ordered a vegetarian breakfast and a latte, and sat waiting with huge anticipation of the meal ahead.

It turned out that hubby had ordered an omelet inna bun and I lucked out with a vegetarian feast with chargrilled aubergine, courgette, mushrooms and tomatoes which were amazingly smokey. A chunk of grilled polenta and an awe inspiring egg that tasted heavenly (how do you do that?) I realised after a little while that I hadn't taken a photo so hurriedly took one before it was too late!

This was all served with two slices of fresh, white caraway seed flecked bread accompanied by a teacupful of fresh, pale unsalted butter - waistline be damned, that butter had to be spread!

The latte was lovely with just the right amount of bitterness to compliment what was a fabulous brunch. I understand the hype. On the way out, I took a snapshot of the sweetest looking sweeties - teeny little mints that appealed to my more arty side! I didn't manage to get through the deli without making a couple of purchases. We tried a chunk of pecorino with the most amazing chestnut honey drizzled over it but I thought the cheese was a bit overpowering but could still taste the honey on my tongue some time later. Into my bag went handmade oatcakes, a burratini (mozzarella cheese creamed with butter and re-hung) and a slice of fontina... I do have people over for supper tonight after all!

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