Hallowe'en on a Saturday? Then it must be "halloweekend"!
Hallowe'en is approaching, which means it's time for pumpkins - and pumpkin carving. We're planning to create a few pumpkin table decorations for The Laine Deli, which is why we recently took time to head over the border and did some shopping in the little West Sussex village of Slindon. It's been described as the pumpkin capital of Britain... and rightly so, because the Upton family have been growing and displaying pumpkins there for many years. Sadly Mr Upton senior died earlier this year at the age of 87, so the 2009 display has been created by a team including son Robin and long-time colleague Tony Smith. It's an impressive tribute - and the family plans to continue the pumpkin tradition.
Recently we've had a few people ask us for a "flat white" coffee which - if you're not familiar with it - isn't as simple as the name suggests. The flat white is rather like a latte but with less milk and no (or hardly any) foam. Or, from another perspective, it's an espresso with steamed milk on top - which makes it a little like a macchiato but with the creamy part of the milk insted of the foam. A flat white is usually served in a cappuccino cup... well, anyway, that's what we do!
Every day at The Laine Deli is different. Sometimes we're busy - as we have been with the Labour Party Conference in town this week - and sometimes it's a little quieter, which gives us time to chat with our customers. Either way, it's all good. And occasionally there's time to try something new... which is when we created these banana and chocolate muffins!
