Bretta & Co

Liverpool

Inspired by the wine bars of New York’s Lower East Side, Bretta & Co has been bringing fine food and cool, casual dining to Liverpool’s Bold Street since 2013. While deli-bistros such as Dean & DeLuca are a regular feature in Manhattan, Bretta was the first of its kind to arrive in Liverpool, and has played a leading role in the steady rise of the city’s food profile. Its brother-and-sister owners Gary and Bretta Adlen pride themselves on staying true to their Liverpudlian roots: the exposed floorboards and industrial-inspired fittings are made from wood that has been reclaimed from churches and schools all over the city.

Begin your visit by tucking into a sharing platter in the bistro. The ultimate edible advertisement, most of the ingredients are stocked in the deli – a ‘try before you buy’ tactic that has an invariably high success rate. Smoked peppered mackerel with garlic crostinis is a wonderfully decadent mouthful, as are the home-made sausage rolls smeared with pickled chilli. Once your appetite has been sated, a browse around the deli and food market will reveal a host of speciality products from across the British Isles: duck-leg conit from Mr Duck’s in London, creamy Black Bomber from the Snowdonia Cheese Company, Cornish Yarg wrapped in nettles and Maxwell’s chocolates from Colchester. It is also the only UK deli to import wine from the Liechtenstein Royal Family’s vineyard. The world’s smallest wine-producing country, Liechtenstein bins have a distinct character – try the Grüner Veltliner Reserve for its crisp, mineral finish.

And its new online shop means you can order a slice of Bretta & Co from anywhere in the UK. http://www.brettaandco.co.uk