New Café In Town And Other Shop News

Published on: 17 Oct, 2019
Updated on: 17 Oct, 2019

By Hugh Coakley

Sis & Bros opened in Guildford’s White Lion Walk last week, offering a tantalising taste of home cooked Iranian food.

From Koofteh (rice, minced beef and lamb) to Tah-Chin (saffron rice, chicken breast with yoghurt and egg) and salads and soups, it is a lovely, simple offering.

New to the town, Sis & Bros, a family run, Iranian coffee shop in White Lion Walk.

One particular speciality that has had people talking is Aash-Reshteh, a Persian thick soup made with noodles, chickpeas, kidney beans and lots of fresh herbs.

Shahram, the owner, said customers have been coming in asking for it after hearing recommendations.

He said: “People raved over our food when we gave out samples at the opening. It is different and people really like it.

“We will be taking orders for offices, lunches and parties and we have discounts for students. Call me on 0777 655 6461.”

Guildford also had some great successes in the Surrey Life Food & Drink Awards 2019. Nick Humble and Ian Ioffel, who run the V Café at the Guildford Institute, were delighted to win the Best Newcomer of 2019.

It has been a great year for the new café as it continues the legacy of freshly cooked vegetarian and vegan food in the Guildford Institute’s Assembly Room.

Partisan, the cheesemonger and deli in Chapel Street, made the final three in the Independent Food and Drink Retailer from more than 500 nominees.

Amy George, manager at the shop, said: “It was great to make the final especially as it was by public vote. We must be doing something right. We will try again next year. ”

And a new franchise, Love Brownies, is headed for Tunsgate in the next few weeks. With the builders in at the moment, there is a rush to be open and start selling the luxury chocolate brownies and gifts in time for Christmas.

I spoke to Lee Teal, partner to Chantal Teal, the head baker and inspiration behind the brownies.

He said that they started in Ilkley in Yorkshire with one small shop. It was so successful, it now has 16 franchises with more coming.

The Tunsgate shop that Love Brownies is moving into was occupied by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices charity shop. It is moving to 196 High Street. It will be great to see that shop occupied and busy again.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices charity shop will be moving to 196 High Street soon.

Christmas is coming and we have the first (maybe the only?) pop-up shop appearing. MenKind, the gift and gadget retailer, opened last week to take in the busy Christmas season.

Pop-up shops are big business. MenKind not only has 65 permanent stores but also 25 pop-ups. It will be interesting to see if it decides to stay longer than just the festive season.

MenKind, the gift and gadget retailer, opened a pop-up shop last week in a prime spot in Guildford High Street.

It’s always good to hear that an independent is doing well. Electrik Ink. the tattoo studio opposite G Live, is busy and expanding.

Lee Jackson, the owner, is looking for staff for Fridays and Saturdays with the potential to do piercings.

As well as the extra hands on piercings, Luke Denton has finished his apprenticeship with Electrik Ink and will be starting tattooing.

Electrik Ink owner, Lee Jackson, showing his new range of Halloween tattoos. Electrik Ink is busy and looking for new staff.

Despite the financial woes that had been splashed over the media over the last couple of weeks, staff at Pizza Express in the upper High Street, said that they were very busy.

They were all very positive in the shop today “especially as it’s Thursday, the live music night,” said one member of staff. Long may it last.

“It feels good to be kneaded,” Pizza Express quipped on Twitter after worries it could go under prompted an outpouring of affection from diners.

And finally, some anniversaries to report; Ben’s Collectors Records will have been in Tunsgate for 26 years come November 3 and 35 years in the town.

That is some record for the ever youthful owner Ben Darnton.

And La Casita, the Mediterranean restaurant and tapas bar in Chapel Street has clocked up 10 years. No wonder considering the great reviews on Trip Advisor.

Congratulations to both Ben and La Casita.