Saucisse Boutique Deli Introduces New Eco-Friendly, Spring Menu [Review]
There’s no doubt about it, we need to find ways to be kinder to our planet. That’s not to say that you need to feel guilty about everything you do, eat, and buy but if we all committed to doing just one thing to protect our environment it would already make a huge difference. For example, I’ve made a commitment to be more conscious of my use of plastic. While on this mission to use less plastic I noticed that there aren’t nearly enough restaurants, supermarkets, or retail outlets offering alternative options for people like me who don’t mind paying a little bit extra for something like a bamboo straw or even sustainably sourced local ingredients. Which is why I was so impressed by Head Chef and owner of Saucisse Boutique Deli, Amanda Lewis. Thanks to her delicious new, eco-friendly spring menu she’s making it easier to make ‘greener’ decisions when dining out in Cape Town and you’ve got to love her for it!
Situated in the heart of Woodstock’s trendy The Old Biscuit Mill, Saucisse Boutique Deli opened its doors in 2010 and was inspired by the hands-on delicatessens in France and Italy. Thanks to their incredible freshly baked bread and pastries and a wide selection of some of the best meats and cheeses in the Cape, the deli became a popular hangout for foodies. With this success in mind, Amanda and her team could well have carried on with their current trajectory without so much as a second thought but, inspired by the shift to more sustainable menus and ingredients the world over, Amanda knew it was time to make a change in her own life and in her business.
“I feel that as an entrepreneur, I need to be aware of my business’ impact on its immediate environment and to continually find ways to reduce my footprint,” says Amanda. With options to suit all diet types (including more vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options) and produce sourced only from small local producers, the new spring menu at Saucisse Deli enables customers to dine out with a clear conscience. I also love that Saucisse practices the sustainable idea of “know your farmer” (earning the deli Eco Star status on the ethical directory, ECO ATLAS), that they only use biodegradable cleaning and packaging products, recycle, and donate all food wastage to The Haven Shelter in Observatory. They’ve committed to making a real difference and it’s so refreshing to see a Cape Town eatery making conscious choices and doing their bit to help their customers do the same.
So what about the food, is it still as good? Well, some might argue it’s better than ever before. Of course, the deli still offers a selection of freshly baked bread and pastries every day as well as the classic deli meat and cheese options when creating your own meal, but diners can take comfort in the fact that everything on offer is 100 percent environmentally conscious. “I was inspired by the new age of sustainable menu planning, especially after seeing the effects of climate change and the water crisis for local farmers in the Cape. I have made far more ethical decisions with my protein selections and have added extra vegan and vegetarian options,” says Amanda.
If you’re not into creating your own meal then you can’t go wrong ordering from the menu which offers breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more. There’s also something new to be discovered on the specials board every day so don’t forget to explore those options too. In addition to that, the eatery is very open to personal changes and is allergy friendly so don’t be shy to ask for alternative options on menu items. I opted for the Shredded Chicken Breast Salad (tossed with tomatoes, feta cheese, avocado, olives, ciabatta croutons, cucumbers, mixed greens, toasted seeds, and balsamic reduction – R85). Now, don’t be fooled into thinking that these are just boring old salads. All their salads are served with freshly baked bread on the side (a huge win for me) and there’s no doubt that they are way beyond what you would expect from a normal deli salad.
The portion size of my chicken salad was huge and it was the perfect light lunch on a warm summer’s day. I loved the combination of the sweet balsamic reduction with the oh-so-tender roasted chicken breast and the ciabatta croutons added a flavourful crunch to the salad that really blew my taste buds out of the water. Of course, it goes without saying that the bread at Saucisse is what dreams are made of and it’s a real bonus that I got to enjoy a slice or two along with my delicious salad.
Once you’re done stuffing your face with their yummy food don’t forget to peruse the shelves flanking the tables inside the deli for some incredible local products. From a selection of loose leaf teas, coffee, and other beverages to honey, nougat, egg-free mayonnaise, and even tote bags, there’s something new and exciting for you to take home with every visit.
Saucisse is open from Monday – Friday 08:00 -16:00 and on Saturdays 08:00-14:30. Find them at The Old Biscuit Mill Unit A 112, The Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town. For more information say Hi to Saucisse Boutique Deli on Facebook.
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