La Petite Chinoise : LPC

I had met up with a friend/ ex-colleague around Liverpool Station and took to wandering around the area after lunch. Spitalfield is known for Brick Lane, arguably the curry capital of London and its more sinister history, the murders most horrid of Jack the Ripper. To my surprise and delight, I stumbled upon two gourmet food stores called “Verde & Co” and “A Gold” , which I think are two precious gems in London.

Verde is located at 40 Brushfield Street which is a corner store and A Gold is literally next door. In front of Verde, there are linen-lined baskets of leeks, baby carrots, the reddest tomatoes I’ve seen in London. Inside Verde reminds me stepping into an old curiosity shop. There are small glass jars of French foie gras, rose water from Columbia, Thai squid sauce placed neatly on the shelves. There is also an old grandfather clock and Spanish tapas plates for sale, along with hand-woven market baskets.

I got to chat with Havery Cabaniss, who runs the store, and Hampus his assistant. Harvey is an ex-chef at St John’s and Urban. He had heard that the author Jeanette Winterson, who owns the building, was looking for a grocer. Both Jeanette and Harvey share the same idea of opening a continental deli and restoring Verde & Co. to its former glory.

Talking to Harvey, I could tell that he is passionate about quality of food. He carefully sources everything from co-ops, family run bakeries, small outfits that produce the finest foods. (With the exception of Pierre Macollini chocolates which is one of the best in the world!) Harvey serves lunches and dinners every other Friday at Verde. RSVP a spot!

A Gold

Verde’s neighbour, A Gold, is a delicatessen selling good traditional English fare. The best sellers are unpasteurised cheeses, chocolate fudge, chutneys and jams. But I personally like the Uncle Joe’s sweets and candy stored in huge jars by the window. Like in the good old days, when children were let out from school, they would dash to the local deli and get a little bag of mixed candy for 50p… I had a bag full of acid drops, anis seed balls, lemon frizzers, liquorice swirls and Vimto lollies. Uncle Joe’s candy sells for only 90p for 100g. Wish I had gotten more!

A Gold stands for Amelie Gold, who was a French milliner (hat maker) and the store dates back to 1880. The owners, Ian and Safia Thomas, have kept the name and painstakingly restored the building. As a result, A Gold is handsome and old-fashioned looking, while keeping the modern efficiencies of a deli.

Both gourmet stores are worth a visit when you find yourself wondering around in Spitalfields, or on the way to Brick Lane, the curry capital of London.

Verde & Co
40 Brushfield Street
Spitalfields E1
Tel: 44 (0)20 7247 1924
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm, Wkd: 11am-6pm

A Gold
42 Brushfield Street
Spitalfields E1
Tel: 44 (0)20 7247 2487
Mon-Fri: 11am-8pm, Closed on Sat, Sun: 11am-6pm