Tilia is a new online home delivery service connecting Londoners with local suppliers of artisan food and drink. At the moment, it’s a London only thing, but there are plans for rapid nationwide expansion. I recently gave Tilia a twirl. Completely impressed, I loved every aspect of the experience. Indeed, I’m keen to try the service again (and again!) and can wholeheartedly recommend it as an incredibly convenient way to get top quality grub to your table.
Tilia’s product range is delectable. I enjoyed clicking through the selection of treats available from shops already among my foodie favourites, such as W1 butcher Allen’s of Mayfair and Islington fishmonger Steve Hatt, while also browsing the site for new discoveries. I am now a huge fan of Belle Epoque Patisserie in Stoke Newington and hope to pay them a visit soon. Finding one of my all time most craved cheeses (Selles sur Cher, from Chiswick’s Mortimer & Bennett) was a delight as well.
Yep, that’s right. I got yummy stuff from Mayfair, Essex Road, Stokie and Chiswick (and a few other places) brought to my door as one delivery. And as my order was over 50 quid (and I reckon a good valued 50 quid at that), there wasn’t any delivery charge. The goods arrived within the first 30 minutes of my chosen two-hour timeslot (a rather late night one as well – 8pm to 10pm – which I reckon would accommodate many Londoners’ hectic lives) with a smile.
Of course, poking round some of this city’s finer food shops is an absolute pleasure – the aromas, the on hand advice, the look and feel – that should never be replaced. Still, if you’re shopping for a little bit of this and a little bit of that you either have to compromise on preference at some point or simply give up more than a few hours of your day to buy everything on your list. Maybe Tilia takes an important chunk of fun out of gourmet food shopping, but the service more than makes up for it by allowing you to spend your time attending to other aspects of your busy schedule.
The reason for my Tilia order was to celebrate a special at-home occasion. From a fantastic and relaxed coffee and croissant start to my day to a dressed crab lunch and a superb home cooked meal that evening (with all sorts of snacking in between and plenty of gorgeous leftovers and nibbles afterward), I’m pleased to report total success.
Find out more at tilia.co.uk.
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