Deliveries have become uber important over the last several months—for many of us, they have simply been our lifeline. Many of our favourite restaurants and food shops have started delivering, bringing our much-missed delicacies into our homes. In addition to established restaurants and retailers having to adapt their offering to fit the situation, it has also birthed much entrepreneurialism. Below are some of our new favourites, items that were created within the pandemic—but that have permanence in their ingenuity.
Papo’s Bagels
The lovechild of two New Yorkers with food and service industry backgrounds, Papo’s was born out of the singular desire to find proper bagels in London. Run entirely by the couple from start to finish; they deliver throughout London five mornings per week. Now offering cream cheese and smoked salmon alongside the six bagel flavours, you can have a little slice of New York for breakfast—or lunch, or dinner, or all of the above.
Top Cuvée
This neighbourhood restaurant quickly pivoted when the pandemic hit, morphing into a small grocery. Selling prepared meals alongside staples such as natural wines, bottled cocktails by the likes of Three Sheets and Little Mercies, plus pantry staples including olive oil, hot sauce, anchovies and more. The online shop proved so popular; there will now be a permanent brick-and-mortar location.
Uncle John’s Bakery
This family-run Ghanaian bakery began delivering within an eight-mile radius when the pandemic started. Choose from a selection of loaves of bread—make sure to try the classic Sweet Bread—cakes and pies. Add on a jar of their hot sauce, which has incredible depth in flavour thanks to the addition of dried shrimp.
Green Olive Groves
This early harvest extra virgin olive oil, made from hand-picked olives in Crete, is truly an exceptional find. A family-run business, each year’s harvest is incredibly limited and dependent on climate and crop, resulting in taste variations—expect a pungent oil with grassy notes—which are reflected on the label; the current one is called November Swim. Packed in pouches to optimise aromas, maintaining the flavour profile, it is available in a 1.5L and 5L sizes.
Sage Flowers
Offering unique and vibrant floral arrangements, Sage Flowers adapted to the lockdown by beginning delivery throughout London from their Peckham shop. Whether a one-off or subscription, their bouquets breathe life into the home, bursting with vivacity, pairing fresh flowers with dried and dyed accompaniments.
East London Liquor Company
Having gained recognition for their expertly-crafted range of spirits, lockdown helped birth bottled and canned cocktails from this niche East London purveyor. The Ready-To-Drink range is picnic-ready—choose from two G&T flavours, vodka and rhubarb, or rum and ginger—or if you’ll be imbibing at home, the Vault Negroni Bianco is the perfect herby summertime concoction.
To order from one of the above or for more recommendations, please contact your lifestyle manager. Images belong to the suppliers.
