It’s an unusual location for a new cafe, a business centre in the suburban streets of Witney housing numerous local companies. And yet it’s where you’ll find The Edge’s new venture, The Edge Deli which opened in March. READ ABOUT IT HERE
And judging by the busy outdoor tables nestled out the front in the sunshine, it’s already a hugely popular spot, The Edge’s Phoebe and Tom’s reputation proceeding them.
Venture in through the offices’ entrance and you’ll understand why, because immediately to your left is a wide, lofty, light, welcoming space, armed with brightly coloured chairs and tables, long wooden tables, an eclectic shop/deli and a counter groaning with goodies from toasties to croissants, cakes and bakes.
Luckily it’s not just for the incumbent office workers, but open to locals and the wider community, the menus offering even more, every dish hugely appealing and reminiscent of The Edge’s High Street ‘Eatery’ branch; brunch running from 9am until 2pm, and counter options until 3.30pm. We timed it just right so could choose from both, Jessie the general manager, and Harry the supervisor giving us some stellar recommendations.
Which is why we kicked off with the shakshouka (£14) with extra chorizo, picture perfect, colourful with bright yellow egg yolks, dark pink of the Spanish sausage, bright red rich tomato, garlic and paprika sauce, white thick dollop of herby yoghurt served with a heavenly flatbread from Mamoosh Bakery. It tasted divine, the harissa oil giving it a silky kick, the sausage piquant and charred.
The hash (£12.50) was another must – crispy crushed new potatoes, charred cavelo nero, poached eggs and Aji verde with extra avocado; the vivid Peruvian green sauce rich with coriander, jalapeños, mayonnaise and Parmesan, the potatoes crispy skinned with soft insides.
And the falafel pitta (£12) with rose harrisa hummus, sumac onions, tomato, cucumber and tahini cashew cream, bursting with healthy flavours.
We couldn’t resist adding a salt beef toastie, oozing with emmental, pickled onions, mayo and celeriac remoulade. (£11), juicy, succulent, faintly naughty and rather luxurious.
We couldn’t leave without trying some of their sweeter temptations, impossible actually – a slice of the sticky maple tart scattered with hefty pecans and the chocolate and cherry almond croissant, as well as a tiny homemade pastel de nata, whose sweet vanillary custard sang.
Even the drinks menu was interesting, the speciality matcha sunrise fading from green to yellow and bursting with orange and mango juice and umami powder. The freshly squeezed juices, mine apple and ginger, are made daily and the. offer packed a punch.
Reluctantly leaving, we emerged into the sunshine as two women were discussing the new Edge enterprise animatedly and how much they loved it. “Have you been before?”, one asked, “Yes but this is only my first time today,” the other laughed. We’re with them, we could visit daily too.
And in a world where global coffee shops seem to be expanding exponentially, wonderful independent businesses like The Edge doing their own thing with such style, in their own imitable way, warms the cockles of our heart. Lucky Witney.
The Edge Deli is at The Hexagon Centre, New Yatt Rd, Witney OX28 1PB
