Spring has sprung!

It's not often that the first day of Spring coincides with sunshine and warmer temperatures... but that's what happened in Brighton this week. We even saw someone in their swimming costume on the beach yesterday!

So cast off your winter coat, put on your flip-flops, order a fruit smoothie and sit yourself down on our sunny patio!

Brighton Festival 2011

It's a sunny day in Brighton... which has reminded us that the 2011 Brighton Festival isn't far away. Tickets are already on sale and a Guest Director – Burmese campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi – has been appointed.

As always, there’ll be a mix of indoor and outdoor activities throughout May, from circus skills to choral music.

And there’ll also be the Artists Open Houses in over 250 venues during the four weekends of the month.

Outside catering in Brighton

We've finished catering for Christmas parties for another 12 months and we're now ready for everything else that 2011 can throw at us.

Which means - as well as serving breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas from our Trafalgar Road shop - we can cater for your business functions, parties, buffets, birthdays and any other events that involve sandwiches, cakes, sausage rolls, vol au vents, canapes... well, we're sure you get the picture.

Pop in to the shop, call us on Brighton 686665 or drop us a line for more information.

Our North Laine neighbours

Just over the road from The Laine Deli is The Ironworks, a recording studio that's part of the Miloco group.

Now, we don't claim to know a great deal about recording studios... but the guys at The Ironworks have said some nice things about us, so we thought the least we could do was mention them. And it's also worth mentioning that they're popular with people who do know about recording studios!

We're The Laine Deli - however you spell it!

We've previously explained what the "i" is doing in "Laine". It's there because we're in the North Laine area of Brighton - and this distinctive spelling has been used to describe the North Laine district for hundreds of years.

But that doesn't stop people from calling us The Lane Deli, The Lanes Deli and - a recent favourite - Elaine's Deli.

Now, we'll happily answer to most things... but it's probably best if you don't ask for Elaine!

Pop in for a gingerbread latte and a mince pie

We're counting down to Christmas at The Laine Deli - and wondering when we'll find time to do our own Christmas shopping!

The North Laine area of Brighton is a great place to start; you'll find an exotic mix of kitch and classic in the collection of independent shops surrounding us.

Before your shopping trip begins, why not call in to the deli for a seasonal energy boost? With a mouthful of festive food - a mince pie, perhaps? - and a shot of gingerbread syrup in your latte, you'll be ready for the day. Or call in at lunchtime for a turkey and cranberry sandwich. Go on, treat yourself!

A last-minute Christmas party!

We know how it is. You're busy working... and all of a sudden it's Christmas!

If you've left it a little bit late to plan your office party, don't worry. Although we're already booked to provide outside catering for a number of events this December, there's still some space in our diary.

Whether you're after a party in the evening or a festive office lunch, we can turn up with everything you need. And because we're based in the heart of Brighton, it's easy for you to call in beforehand for a face-to-face chat about all your requirements.

Brighton's preparing for the ice

Last winter was, as we're sure you'll remember, pretty cold. Mind you, it didn't stop us from putting chairs out on the patio!

Although we can't predict this year's weather, we can be certain there'll be ice in Brighton. The Royal Pavilion is going to have its own Ice Rink from 13th November through until the New Year. There'll be room on the 700 square metre rink for up to 200 skaters, with a special beginners' area and Penguin-shaped skating aids to help youngsters find their feet.

Tickets can be booked via http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ - or just pick up a hot chocolate from us and and wander down to watch the fun!

The city's first Local Food Week starts on Monday

Next week is Brighton and Hove's first-ever Local Food Week. It's being run by the not-for-profit Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, with events taking place from 20th to 27th September 2010.

These events include a cookery demonstration at Churchill Square Farmers Market on Wednesday and a Local Food Picnic in Preston Park on Saturday. There's also a special Apple Day in Stanmer Park on Sunday 26th September; perfect if you fancy some apple crumble washed down with a glass of apple juice!

More food fun for Brighton & Hove

Brighton & Hove has its very own foodie festival next month. It all starts on Wednesday 1st September at Brighton Racecourse with an afternoon of horse racing, a local food market, children’s activities, live food kitchen and charity Waiters Race.

There’s a food trail through the city on 4th/5th September and a Live Food Show in Pavilion Gardens on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th September. Full details (and loads of other events) can be found on the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival website at http://www.brightonfoodfestival.com

Brighton Pride 2010

It's the Brighton Pride Parade tomorrow, which means this is one of the city's busiest weekends. The parade sets off from the seafront by the pier (Madeira Drive) at 11am and travels through the town before ending up at Preston Park a couple of hours later.

If you're heading to the parade and are arriving by train, do pop in to The Laine Deli for a cup of coffee, a cake or a sandwich. We're towards the top of Trafalgar Street, which is the road that runs under the front of the station - and we have a lovely outside patio if the sun's shining!

The PM's in Brighton today

Prime Minister David Cameron has popped down to Brighton today, so we hear. We're open until four if you fancy a cup of tea, PM.

Vote for The Laine Deli!

As we've mentioned previously, voting in the Brighton & Hove Foodie Awards is open until September. The Laine Deli has been nominated in the 'Best Cafe' category, so we'd really appreciate your support! (Just select The Laine Deli from the list).
You can also vote in categories for Best Restaurant, Best Food Pub and Best Food Shop.

The last weekend of the Brighton Festival

Starting tomorrow is the final weekend of the 2010 Brighton Festival (and the Fringe Festival). If you're coming into Brighton, there's loads to do - including wandering round the Artists Open Houses that surround The Laine Deli. Alternatively, if you're wondering what to do with the family on Sunday, why not pop down to Brighton Marina for the Big Splash; a free day of alfresco fun. This year's events include street entertainers and special hands-on activities for children. The event concludes with a firework display over the Marina.

Make sure your vote counts!

Apparently over 1000 people have voted in the Brighton & Hove Foodie Awards since they were launched in March. If you've already voted for us - thank you!

If not, please head for BrightonFoodAwards.com, where you can vote for Best Cafe (that's the category we're in!), Best Restaurant, Best Food Pub and Best Food Shop. Voting remains open until September.

The Brighton Festival Of Artists Open Houses

We're big fans of the Artists Open Houses festival, which takes place during the city-wide Brighton Festival in May. This year we're particularly excited because The Laine Deli actually appears in one of the paintings that's on display. The painting is called 'Kensington Place from Horatio House', the artist is Vincent Donlin and his work - along with that of Paul Emerson - can be seen during the first four weekends this month at 12 Carlyle Street. The Places, Faces, Time and Spaces house is open from 12 noon until 5pm, Saturday & Sunday until 23rd May 2010.

The 2010 Brighton Festival starts tomorrow

Saturday 1st May marks the start of this year's Brighton Festival, with events taking place across the city. One of tomorrow's biggest events is the Children's Parade, which is a procession that starts from Sydney Street at 10.30am and finishes at Madeira Drive. Around 4,000 participants from 70 schools and community groups are expected to parade through the city's streets before enjoying a musical finale by the beach.

Voting in the Foodie Awards

Voting in the Brighton & Hove Foodie Awards is open until September, with The Laine Deli nominated in the 'Best Cafe' category. (Just select The Laine Deli from the list). You can also vote in categories for Best Restaurant, Best Food Pub and Best Food Shop.

Farmers Markets in Brighton and Hove

We've previously talked about our enthusiasm for local food producers. But did you know it's easy to meet some of those producers face-to-face?

There's a Farmers Market on the first Sunday of each month at Ralli Hall, which is near Hove Station. It runs from 10am until 3pm, with free parking available at Hove railway station.

And every week there's a Farmers Market at Brighton's Churchill Square. It takes place on Wednesdays from 10am until 4.30pm on the Piazza in front of the Churchill Square shops.

Catering for Brighton and Hove

If you’re thinking about ordering business lunches or any other corporate catering in Brighton, please give us a ring at The Laine Deli. Not only are we perfectly placed for picking up last-minute orders, we’re also well-equipped for producing virtually any kind of event catering.

From breakfasts to buffets, from sandwich platters to giant cakes, we’re always happy to help.

Please download our Outside Catering leaflet, call in to the shop or call us on Brighton 686665 to discover more.