New tapas deli brings family’s taste of Spain

A SPANISH chef whose grandmother opened a Deli in Seville in the 1940s is continuing the family legacy by launching a new authentic Spanish shop and tapas restaurant in Selly Oak.

Silvia Sanchez opened Tapas Deli on Raddlebarn Road on March 1, serving hot and cold tapas, deli meats and cheeses, Spanish wines and coffees.

The chef, who has been in Birmingham for 18 years, has opened a shop that echoes the family store in her home city of Seville which began life in 1947.

The 20-seat shop is now open to visitors who can sample sandwiches made made with pan cristal, crisp ‘crystal bread’ made in Barcelona, and Mollete de Antequera traditional soft bread rolls.

Fillings include ham, chorizo, melted cheese and honey, with fish options like sardines and tuna or vegetarian and vegan versions too.

Tapas will be on the menu too and there’s space for Spanish produce to take home.

Silvia said that her father, who has run the family business in Seville for 50 years, flew into Birmingham to bring his expertise ahead of the launch.

She said: “In the shop I have a picture of my nan that you see when you come in, by the till.

“She opened a shop similar to this in Seville in 1946. It passed to my dad’s generation, he’s been in it for 50 years, and he’s flown over to Birmingham this week because he knows everything about the produce.

“I’m following in their steps.” Authentic Spanish produce on offer in the shop include cheeses served on boards with chestnuts, honey and olives, cured Spanish meats, almonds and breads, calamari cooked in its own ink, lime mussels with spicy salsa, cuttlefish and fresh octopus are among Silvia’s specialties too, as well as award-winning croquettas, padron peppers, traditional Spanish cakes, churros and coffees, Spanish wines and soft drinks.