BayBuzz magazine long-termer and resident bon vivant Lizzie Russell’s new online column shines a light on new faces, places, ventures and happenings, and then we hear the subject’s answers to her short set of questions. Tune in fortnightly (ambitious!) for a shortcut to local discoveries, personalities and snippets of good news. Enjoy!
Common Deli
Lori Asquith and Natalie Siefe have been around in the food scene in Hawke’s for yonks, but they’re finally doing their own thing, and despite the challenges of opening a business in this weird climate, they’re thriving.
Common Deli is Napier’s new favourite breakfast, snack and lunch purveyor, based in the glass-fronted corridor in the bottom of Willis House, on Dickens Street. You know the spot, just past the good sushi shop, where you walk through to get to Station Street.
What’s special about Common Deli – apart from the warmth and wit of Lori and Natalie – is that pretty much everything is house-made. Hazelnut (or almond) butter for the porridge. Pastry for the pies. Brown sauce for the breakfast sandwiches. Relish. Spicy tomato ketchup.
And these condiments are available by the bottle. So the deli isn’t just levelling up our workplace lunches, but also the pantry at home. You call in for a lunchtime wrap or a protein-and-salad bowl, or the BEST scone, and you leave with a plan and a couple of special ingredients for dinner.
Keep an eye on the Common Deli’s Instagram for their new offerings and to whet your appetite. And get there – weekdays 7am to 4pm.
Until you get chatting over coffee and/or an epic cheese and pickle toastie, get to know the ladies here with Natalie’s answers to the Who/New questionnaire:
What have you been reading / watching / listening to worth recommending?
I’ve actually been big into podcasts lately—specifically true crime. Murder With My Husband and My Favorite Murder are my absolute go-to’s; they keep me company during my prep shifts at work. Meanwhile, Lori has been deep-diving into the science of baking, learning about mechanics of our recipes.
Where’s your best meal of the last few months been?
Lori and I recently went to Delight Plus with some friends, and the food was incredible. It’s just such a fantastic spot for sharing tasty dishes with great people.
What’s your go-to fix for a bad day?
For me, it’s all about simplicity: sitting in the sun with a great coffee and absolutely zero pressure to do anything else. For Lori, nothing beats a long, clearing walk with her dog, Obi.
Where do you want to get on a plane to?
Honestly, we’ve both been working so hard lately that I’d step onto just about any flight right now! But if I had to pick, it would be anywhere sunny with a phenomenal food scene where we can just relax and be inspired.
Favourite spot for a coffee or a drink?
I love First Hand Coffee, so I tend to end up at Crazy Good a lot. In the crazy months leading up to opening the deli, Lori and I practically lived there, so we’ve gotten to know the team really well. We also love the negronis at Vinci’s and Goldie’s. We have also been spotted drinking Château Garage’s rosé at Rogue hop.
What’s one thing you insist on visitors to the Bay doing?
You absolutely have to visit at least one winery. We are incredibly spoiled with world-class vineyards throughout the Hawke’s Bay region – it’s an essential part of the local experience.
What’s one thing missing from Hawke’s Bay?
The sheer variety of food options. Cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch have such diverse food scenes. The Bay is definitely getting there and carving out its own identity, but I still occasionally miss the massive variety you get in the bigger centres.
Thanks so much, Natalie and Lori! See you soon for a falafel wrap. And a pork and fennel sausage roll. And a bottle of brown sauce. Ooh and that wild rice salad. And the slaw. That bacon and leek quiche. Most of all, the chocolate-molasses cookies. Yeah, see you soon.
