A two hour train trip from Central station is all it took to get to this charming and quaint cafe ran by a cult. Yes, you read that correctly. Once known as the Common Ground, the Yellow Deli is owned and run by The Twelve Tribes, which may sound like rival families in an epic fantasy novel series, but it is a cult movement that is broadly Christian but does not align themselves to any denomination, believing all denominations are fallen.
I have heard rumours of the group's interest in gathering male virgins, but we could hardly corroborate such tales with the lovely (albeit strangely mild-mannered) staff who were about to bring us food. In any case, I had no male virgins among my party to offer up anyway.
Stepping into the Yellow Deli is like stepping into a tavern in Lord of the Rings, with wodden balconies and alcoves and tables with little flowers painted on them. A mythical, medieval taern - without a trace of alcohol, of course. Never mind, however, as the food is superb.
Yerba mate is is an "energising drink" in the holly family, and is traditionally passed around in a circle as though you were doing bong together. Sharing saliva is not something I'm interested in, but fortunately, the Yellow Deli version comes in safe, one-person portions in a plastic cup. I am quite a fan of its light yet refreshing taste, just a tad grassy.
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| Yerba mate, $3.50 |
If you are not a fan of the grass-like taste (though I can't imagine why you wouldn't be), there is a mango version which is pretty much mango puree / juice drowning out any other discernible taste. Go on, go crazy.
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| Mango yerba mate, $4.50 |
The spinwich is a spinach-egg sandwich, part of the breakfast menu. It may look pale and unappetising, but looks can be deceiving. This is easily one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. The bun is so soft, like a milky pillow, slathered with a swipe of tomato paste. The egg and spinach pattie is gorgeously satisfying. It is a well-balanced, delicious, savoury treat.
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| Spinwich, $8 |
My companions ordered from the proper sandwich menu, which all came with a choice of salad or chips and pickle. I didn't expect the chips and pickle option to come with a handful of potato crisps and one unsliced pickle. It is at once surprising, yet also somewhat charming.
The flavour combination of the Deli Rose is very good, though the bread may have been a bit too soft and moist for the meaty type of sandwich it is.
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| The Deli Rose, $11.50 |
The unfortunate exception to the fine quality of the Yellow Deli is the lamb sandwich. I have on good authority that it is too salty and tastes nothing of lamb - he says it as though that's a bad thing - so is subsequently a bit disappointing.
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| Lamb sandwich, $11.50 |
Now onto the sweets!
This item comes highly recommended by the Yellow Deli people, in their silent, just let you read the pamphlet for yourself kind of way. The energising green bar is packed full of nutrients from vegetables they farm themselves and what I understand to be their drink of choice by now - yerba mate. It also has some carob bits to keep the taste buds tantalised. It didn't succeed. It tasted virtuous, but I probably wouldn't look forward to it after a meal.
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| Green bar, $3.50 |
By now, it has become abundantly clear to me that caffeine is frowned upon in this community, and chocolate (which contains caffeine), is not going to be on the menu. What's the next best thing? Carob - said no one ever. The carob brownie, however, is surprisingly satisfying. Or it could be just in comparison to the green bar.
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| Carob brownie, $3.50 |
The final item we tried is the Yellow Deli cream cheese pie. It is tart and lemony, strangely light and fluffy, kind of not like a cheesecake at all I didn't care for it.
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| Cream cheese pie, $5 |
Verdict? Have the sandwiches, go elsewhere for dessert.
Score: 3 / 5
Cost: reasonable
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