Brighton is full of (coffee) beans

Research carried out in the UK by the Local Data Company has revealed that Brighton is home to 121 coffee shops - the largest number of coffee shops per shopper outside London. There are now 11,805 coffee shops across the country, with 70% run independently (just like The Laine Deli).

Roadworks on Trafalgar Street

The top end of Trafalgar Street is closed at the moment because there's some resurfacing work going on at Frederick Place. (That's the one-way street before you pass under the railway station). And if you've been listening to the traffic news on the local radio, you'll now know that Trafalgar Street is also known as the B2119. Anyway, it's all due to finish this Friday -so we're hoping everything will soon be back to normal.

Happy Halloweekend!

Hallowe'en on a Saturday? Then it must be "halloweekend"!

As you'd expect, we've been baking some hallowe'en-themed cakes for our younger (and not-so-young) customers. This pumpkin face is a soft flapjack with orange and black icing... so it's not really scary at all.

Pumpkin time!

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.

Just one week of voting left!

The final date for voting in the Sussex Food Awards 2009/2010 is next week. If you've enjoyed your meal at The Laine Deli and you'd like to vote for us in the "Best Sussex Eating Experience" category, you can register your vote online at SussexFoodAwards.com. Thank you!

Brighton Comedy Festival 2009

The Brighton Comedy Festival runs for the next fortnight at the Dome's Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and Pavilion Theatre. It kicks off tonight with Alan Carr and friends raising money for the Sussex Beacon.

Flat white coffee

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!