Eat My Words: We review The Old Theatre Deli, Southwell

An alluring fusion of flavours from across the world were on the menu at this deli, making it hard to pick just one meal.

From Moroccan, Thai and Indian-inspired flavours to their twist on a classic American sandwich, The Old Theatre Deli, at Market Place, Southwell, seemed the perfect place to satiate my taste buds.

It also has a selection of more traditional British dishes, including ham, egg and chips, and homemade pies on the menu — as well as boasting a range of local products including Long Clawson stilton and Southwell-based Jacaranda Brewing Co beers.

Based on its reviews the deli is a rightfully popular place for locals and visitors alike, and so when I turned up on a Friday afternoon I was unsurprised to see that the small area of inside seating was full to the brim.

No matter — there’s ample outside seating and despite the somewhat dreary weather it was comfortable enough with a large gazebo and blankets offering shelter from the elements.

I’d nipped inside to grab a menu and been told someone would come and take my order at the table before settling down to decide what I might like to eat, and in the end it was a toss up between the Seasonal Flatbread and the Rueben sandwich — an American classic with salt beef, a staple of Jewish cuisine, swiss cheese, mustard mayo, sauerkraut and gherkins — both of which had my mouth watering.

A waitress appeared not too long afterwards to take my order, and in the end I opted for the flatbread, feeling I wanted something a bit more substantial than a sandwich, and chose the grilled halloumi topping. It was also available with Moroccan chicken or vegan sweet potato falafel.

A side of triple cooked chips called my name, and to round it off I ordered a cup of Earl Grey tea.

My drink was served promptly, although to my disappointment while it was listed on the menu as loose leaf tea what actually arrived was a teabag — however I note the deli’s online menus no longer specify loose leaf, so it may be a case that their paper menus have not been reprinted.

Nonetheless it was a tasty blend — and I would consider myself somewhat of an amateur tea enthusiast — served in an aesthetically pleasing teapot.

However, it was £3.20 which felt rather steep for what amounted to a little over two small cups when taken black.

It was only a few minutes longer to wait until my food appeared, and what a sight it was.

The flatbread was thoroughly loaded up with a bed of hummus, Middle Eastern fattoush salad, couscous, yogurt, sriracha and herbs, as well as some hefty slabs of halloumi.

While it was a bit awkward to eat as it didn’t seem wrapable but was a little tricky to cut the flatbread, each mouthful was a delightful experience.

There was a great variety of textures and flavours from the crunchy vegetables to the smooth halloumi and combination of cool yoghurt and lightly spicy sriracha.

At £14, it seemed a fair portion for the price I paid.

Coming in at £4, the side of chips may have been a bit on the pricier side, but my word they were cooked to perfection.

It was a bowl of potato heaven, golden and crispy, with just the right amount of salt for my taste.

After enjoying a relaxing solo lunch date, which the area lends itself to with planters decorating the tables and a view of Southwell’s attractive high streets, I was joined by a companian for quick afternoon drink.

There was quite a wait for my empty plates to be taken away, at which point I asked for the drinks menu back — and it appeared any further orders would be taken at the counter although this wasn’t explained.

My companion went up to the counter to order, as she wanted to select a slice of cake too, and reported back that the waitress looked rather disinterested and initially misheard the order as she stood at a distance from the counter.

And so my visit was finished off with an order of two hot chocolates, professed to be made with the finest Belgian, sustainable chocolate and steamed milk.

My choice, the £3.75 Gold hot chocolate delivered on its promises of intensity, richness and toffee notes and was a perfect sweet treat to end my meal.

Unfortunately the other hot chocolate, the milky with hints of caramel Milk hot chocolate, was only lukewarm by the time it was served. It had a much milder taste than the Gold variety, but was still a pleasant flavour.

My companion’s choice of cake was a Lemon Tart blondie, and was £3.95 for a hearty slab.

It was a delicious blend of sweet blondie base and zesty lemon topping and was very moreish while not being at all sickly.

The dining experience at The Old Theatre Deli definitely feels like a step up from the average cafe fare, with luxurious sounding meals served on attractive stoneware.

I may have to go back again simply to try that sandwich…

Out of five:

Food: The food was flavourful, perfectly cooked and served quickly. Alongside the Middle Eastern flavours of my flatbread the menu promised a whole host of other delectable dishes. There was a decent selection of both vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a good variety of different meals, from burgers to salads and sharing platters. *****

Drink: My tea was a bit of a disappointment in not being loose leaf and there was a hiccup with the lukewarm hot chocolate, but on the whole the selection of drinks is appealing, with fresh juices, milkshakes, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic and alchohol-free options on the menu. Unfortunately my experience didn’t live up to my expecation. ***

Decor: The Old Theatre Deli’s decor is calm and relaxing, and is a nice balance of cafe versus restaurant-esque decor. Inside the tables are wooden, and the space dominated by a counter showcasing cakes and salads. Outside there’s comfortable, sturdy patio furniture, with nice touches in the plants and barrels dotted about as well as the gazebo to protect diners from the rain and blankets for warmth. The entire place appeared clean. *****

Staff: Waitresses were generally efficient at brining orders to the table but it seemed a bit hit or miss as to if they appeared friendly or welcoming. There were long waits for plates to be cleared and the method of ordering wasn’t always made clear, however some members of the team did seem quite young and perhaps inexperienced. ***

Price: Some meals and sides were a little pricey on paper but it seems to be justified in the portion size and quality of the food. I did feel the tea was a little too expensive. While not the cheapest lunch ever, the total bill of £32.65 for three drinks, one main and a cake wasn’t too bad at all. ****