The Deli @ Castle Ashby — Restaurant in England

This tucked away gem of a unique shopping and eating place is just wonderful.

To find a small and unique cafe that uses real napkins already had me sold before I even stepped in. The breakfast and lunch menus are varied and the food just delicious. To top it all it’s also vegan so there (but I’m not incidentally).

You can sit inside or outside, if the English weather allows, with gentle music, and wraps provided to keep you warm.

There are so many lovely touches which I love. I usually come here with my daughter and her dogs (they are very well behaved). There is water available for the dogs as well as a little bowl of dog treats. The food is cooked to order and the Pastel de Nata not only comes warm but sprinkled with icing sugar and a little edible flower. The attention to detail continues….

And as for the Deli, well. If you can’t find some delicious and unexpected delicacy amongst all the fantastic range of cheeses, meats, wines, breads and jars of really different flavours then I suggest you just go round the store again.

But one of the best things of these two hidden gems is the people: do you remember the days when everyone you met was nice? You will come away replete and...

One of the best casual dining food places in the country. The Eatery at the Deli has never disappointed us, and in fact has ruined most local restaurants for us because they just don’t compare to the consistently delicious food and lovely service we get here.

The food is always incredible, the service is fantastic and we’re always welcomed with treats when we bring our dogs in for breakfast or lunch. They also have a really decent vegan and veggie menu and often have vegan options on the specials menu. Everything here is made with care and skill and you can taste it. The presentation is always beautiful (including edible flowers) and they have proper cloth napkins which always feels like a bit of treat.

As someone who LOVES her food and designs whole holidays around good food, I don’t make any of these statements lightly. I’m not interested in paying for average food - especially when a rubbish sandwich and coffee at Pret costs at least £10. Given the impeccable quality I actually think the Eatery at the Deli offers good value.

10/10 every time which is why we visit as...

Wow what a money pit....!

You have to go up and order and pay upfront, if paying by card there's a screen that asks you to give a tip (with various percentages) before you experience the food and service.

The food and drink is randomly placed on the table and you're left to get on with it, no return to check everything is okay.

My partner ordered the hummus and it came with two small pieces of flat bread and definitely not enough to eat the hummus even after I helped myself to some on my plate without bread, so my partner asked for more bread and was told that'll be £1.50 extra, we had just spent just short of £40 on two dishes and drinks each.

I do believe I overheard the waitress come to the table next to us and say something wasn't available on the menu after taking the order at the till and the gentleman ordered something else and then the waitress came back and said please can you pay the difference once you've finished.

Whilst I would have said something my partner asked me not too, I did find the staff very sterile and project they are more important...