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'The Deli' is a FLAUNT of FLAVOUR

You know those days? I have them all the time. Days when you're at your wits' end what to have for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Your conscience (and the small tube of blubber secretly inflating around your waistline) constantly nags at you in the hot Namibian sun to avoid greasy foods, summer is almost here - a week away in fact (that's what you say every week), Swakopmund-Walvis Bay-Henties' beaches have to be conquered in a bikini (can you say 'bikini' without flinching?), white jeans shouldn't bulge and crease in curious places, upper underarm has a lot more jiggle than last summer (aha!), and remember that skirt with the slippery last button? Couldn't close properly now, could it? It was on just such a day, I stumbled into Flaunt The Deli in Maerua Lifestyle Centre, almost fell to my knees and wept with relief.



(Photograph: Freshly baked pies and bread at Flaunt The Deli)

There, before my sunburnt, starving visage and effectively soothing my nagging conscience, cool and welcoming, The Deli spread before me, a feast for the eye, nostrils and tastebuds. The pies are freshly baked, the filling's good and real, the pastry is at once solid and light, they look fantastic, smell wonderful and the flavours are so good, they should be endorsed, each on its own, by Team Namibia.

Freshly baked bread loaves and muffins, gluten free, smile healthy, happy and golden at passersby, delicately displayed to their best advantage on the cutest, eclectic range of cutting-boards I've seen, in public. A selection of cold meats, the most delicious hummus, fried and flavoured eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and the palest gouda (list of my favourites), among others, perfectly compliment poppy-seed loaves (without butter, please).


(Photograph: Homemade bread, smoked beef, rocket, lettuce, hummus, tomatoes and a Flaunt smoothie)

Flaunt The Deli is the brainchild of chef Janina Clinning and her partner, Ian Daniel. They describe The Deli as 'chef-driven' and product-orientated, but if you pop in for a snack you would find that it's a lot more. Gourmet boerie rolls, a tantalising display of confectionery (try the strawberry and rum macaroons!), nutritious, healthy foods and a genuine commitment to customer-service make this deli a firm favourite. It is very obvious to their customers Ian and Janina thoroughly enjoy what they do, as evidenced by the careful consideration and thought that went into the bespoke menus, catering for events of all sizes.

For those outside the culinary know, Flaunt The Deli in Maerua Lifestyle Centre is an example of the American-style 'deli'; a mixture between a small grocery shop and a fast-food restaurant.


(Photograph: Cupcakes galore, sticky brownies and so much more.)

I also genuinely like what Janina and Ian did with the space though. It's light and airy, invitingly open, lots of reflected natural light, the floor's clean, friendly staff, the decor is simple (rustic farm-styled), to the point, customer communication (blackboards) is clear, and the focus of the entire business is on its product, good food (pies, confectionary, salads and sandwhich bar).

Now, before you start chewing on your notepad, visit their website www.flauntnam.com for more information, or contact Ian and Janina on (00264) 81 834 5727 for healthy, responsible, guilt-free eating, and temporary peace of mind. May the force be with you.


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