Already a much-loved spot with locals for breakfast and lunch, Paddington Deli & Epicerie recently began serving dinner, Tuesday to Saturday and I popped along to check it out.
Within minutes of our arrival, mom and I had hit it off with owner Antoinette Pease, who not only juggles running a business with being a mum, but also has amazing taste in necklaces!
For years Antoinette had dreamed of leaving her corporate career in the city to start her own business and jumped at the chance when a lease popped up in the beautiful Paddington Antique Centre complex.
Both rooms have been stripped back; long gone are the white walls and fluorescent lighting of predecessors Monty’s Chocolates and Novel Lines Bookshop.
Instead, Antoinette has embraced the heritage building’s exposed brick walls, adding crystal chandeliers and ornate antique mirrors and Brett Lethbridge artworks for decoration.
Mum and I both started with the entrée of Pan Seared Scallops served opaque with roasted balsamic beetroot + herb sauce ($15) which was just divine.
For mains, I had the Crispy Skin Salmon which was served with pan-fried gnocchi, garlic & lemon sauce + baby capers ($32) while Mum had the Lamb Cutlets with rosemary and garlic mash + red wine glaze ($29).
We shared sides of Roasted winter vegetables w dukkha + yoghurt ($8) and Green beans, almonds + olive oil ($8).
Our meal was delicious and the only fault was that we were both too full to have dessert–but that gives us the perfect reason to return to Paddington Deli. The only question is, can we do both brunch and dinner there in one day?
The menu has gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available and the house wines are preservative free.
You can find Paddington Deli & Epicerie at 153-155 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington.
