Meadows Deli Opens a New Branch on Mill Road – I Gave It a Try
Key Highlights :
Meadows Deli has been a staple in Cambridge’s leafy suburbs for years, offering speciality produce including organic vegetables and gourmet cheeses, as well as artisan sourdough bread, cakes, salads and hot sandwiches on freshly baked bread. So when the deli announced it would be opening a new branch on Mill Road at the end of March, 2023, I was of course excited to try it out.
Located on Dutch’s Corner, the deli occupies quite a commanding position on Mill Road, with cute tables and chairs conveniently placed outside, subtly inviting its guests to dine al fresco. Walking through the attractive entrance, appearances would not suggest the deli offers lunch snacks. Refrigerated cheeses, and tables of vegetables, loose-leaf teas and chocolate bars adorn the bulk of floor space. Going up to the till, the display cabinet contains a 'deli-cious' array of frittatas, pastas and salads, as well as an assortment of homemade cakes.
Keen for a quick sandwich, and not to break the bank with a slice of cake too, I ordered one with a filter coffee, yes, unfortunately, they don’t have an espresso machine. There were three sandwich options, I opted for a roasted aubergine and fennel number on toasted focaccia bread. I went to pay, and don’t get me wrong, I knew this place was a gourmet spot, but when the (very) friendly waiter informed me I owed him £11 I admit to being momentarily shell-shocked.
Feeling winded by the sudden thump to my bank balance, I cowered away from the increasingly grim weather outside, and sat down to enjoy (wolf down) my sandwich on one of the trendy, well-lit tables inside. Despite it being £11, the sandwich really was a delicious parcel of joy. The aubergine had been roasted and marinated to perfection, the sourdough bread was warm, flavoursome and crispy, with the subtle hint of fennel, which I initially believed was superfluous, to have definitely elevated the occasion. The service was excellent, and the experience of sitting in a deli was a welcome one to the usual coffee shop vibe.
To sum up, I can really vouch for this place as a pukka sandwich joint, maybe the finest I've tried in Cambridge. I am sure that the other food items are excellent too. It’s definitely worth an occasional trip - you're sure to get some delicious, great-quality food. I’ll have to give the cakes a try on my next visit. Just make sure you're prepared to pay for the quality.
