Yesterday Fideli’s opened on Parliament Street on Church Square in the City centre, a very fine Deli as well as eating and drinking spot next door to Pilcrow & Cleaver, both owned by the very enterprising Chef Judi Fourie. The space was previously that of Kleinsky’s. While small, it spills out into a covered side section, almost doubling its size. I have not seen such beautiful presentation of food and beverages in a Deli before, as I did at Fideli’s yesterday.

I became the first customer of the new Fideli’s, as I was looking for a gift to take to a lunch I was heading to, but of course could not resist filling up my own pantry with some of the delectable items.

I had not met Chef Judi until Lockdown earlier this year. I had to drop off something in the Speaker’s Corner Building across the street, and saw Pilcrow & Cleaver restaurant, stepped inside, and ordered something small from the menu. It was delicious, and I followed this up with regular pop-ins as well as a friend’s sit-down birthday dinner in this cosy space. I am impressed with Chef Judi’s enterprising spirit and energy, being in her restaurant seven days a week, from morning until late at night. Fideli’s will be open for the same hours as Pilcrow & Cleaver.

Restaurant Review: Pilcrow & Cleaver a hidden City gem, with hands-on Chef & Owner Judi Fourie!

If I had to give out Restaurant Awards, one would go to her and her Pilcrow & Cleaver, the restaurant that has impressed me the most in dealing with the Lockdown, and in its offering of a Food Collection and Delivery Service.

The Latin root of the Fideli’s name refers to being faithful, and ‘it gives meaning to our ethos to always be loyal to the ingredients’. 

Almost everything is packaged in cellophane bags, meaning greater hygiene as far as insects are concerned, and especially in respect of the Corona pandemic.  What makes the packaging so special is the gold ribbon closing off each item, giving it a Festive feel, even of something as fundamental as a head of lettuce.

I did not bring a notebook with me, to record everything I saw on the Fideli’s shelves.  From my photographs and what I saw I can summarise it as follows:

# baked goods, including individually packaged plain and almond croissants, slices of Valrhona Chocolate and Caramel cake topped with caramel popcorn (R60), Summer strawberry tarts, and Red Velvet Cheesecake (R60), all precut and packaged. There are biscuits and chocolate brownies, cheese sticks, and rolls too.

 

#  fresh vegetables and fruit, including cherries at R38 a ladle-full, avocado, cucumber, peppers tomatoes, leeks, asparagus, lemons and limes, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, rhubarb, rainbow carrots, and baby beets.

 

#   JudiJars of foods, and I had to have her Free-range Chicken Liver pâté and caramelised onion, at R75 for 250ml, with many more such jarred spreads, including cream cheese, lemon curd, red onion marmalade, hummus, Mei Mei’s green chili and red chili, and preserved lemons.

 

#   Dairy products, including milk and cheeses, cold meats, meat cuts, prepared salads to take away, mussels, and various eggs. Okja oat milk is available too.

 

A Breakfast, and Lunch and Dinner Menu is available for Sit-Down too. Oysters are on ice, and I’ll be popping in for them too. There is a range of craft beers and wines to buy to take away or to enjoy at Fideli’s. We were offered a choice of two cocktails, so I chose the Pink Goat Watermelon margarita (R80) without the gin. Other cocktails offered are Boxer & Bird, Sour Monkey, and Redemption Song.

I loved the cute little seating area,  the green chairs inside Fideli’s adding to the freshness feel.

 

Fideli’s is a blend of a small restaurant and a Deli, and the presentation of the Deli foods is superb, shouting freshness. Each fresh item has a sell-by date, and the origin of the item. Bravo Chef Judy and team!

 

Fideli’s, Parliament Street, Church Square, Cape Town.  Cell 064 3301 6328.  Facebook. Instagram: @fidelissouthafrica.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein

About Chris von Ulmenstein