Hairy Fig

'Fine Fodder' as is written above the door of this newest and wee deli addition to York. And fine fodder it purveys too! Tucked away on Fossgate and what is fast becoming York's nicest and best row of eateries and foodie places the Hairy Fig is a delicatessen worhty of exceptional note.

first as the 'new kids on the block' the staff are open, enthusistic and contagiously excitable about food, with a passion!

There's the 'usual' deli delights, of posh cheeses, little nibbly bits from houmous to caper berries and a spicey tomatoe mussel sauced encounter that is well worth planning a whole meal around alone.

The USP Unique Selling Point of this deli are the range of European oils and dispensary of infused balsamic vinengars. check pictures: The idea is when you go for a first visit to purchase an oil/vinegar decantor of 100/200mls and then you select your preferred infusion from balsamic and tomatoe (my personal favourite), with fig, with pear, with... and so on. Some are much sweeter than others. But all are divine! From here the food adventure is your course to channel! Leave only for dipping bread into the balsamic is wasted in my opinion. Far nicer is to mix with a couple of drops of the oil of choice (also with your own refillable 100/200mls wee bottle) and to concoct your own salad dressing! Chef kudos indeed!

Once the funs been had with all the oils and balsamics, do go through into the 'quaint' back area where Mr Moo's Yorkshire real dairy ice cream will delight and make mouth's water. Essential for a NOW cooling-off sustenance.

Warning! Word is now 'out' about this little gem and despite being a mere 1 week old there were queues out the door and the houmous was totally sold out before lunch time on Saturday.

Visit once for play with oils and balsamics. Continue to re-visit to cultivate a rather charming addiction to the new tastes and palate led sensations. That or just try to get through the combination of flavours on 'tap'...