Panzer’s is the kind of model to which grander food halls aspire – 17 kinds of tomatoes, half a dozen artisan pasta makers, sushi made on site (a 60 piece box set £70), the kind of salad bars that Ottolenghi has made fashionable. The stalwart hand me downs from its Jewish heritage like hand sliced smoked salmon, like the chrayne, like freshly made humous, like the baskets of bagels, are energised with some astute buying mainly from Italy which brings vibrant packaging.
Mr Panzer, first name unrecorded apparently, an emigre from Austria, set up delis after the WW2 with Walter Vogl from the Czech Republic, first in Golders Green and then Willseden Green before opening here in 1956. Mr Panzer took a step back leaving his name over the door (with an apostrophe) and the shop was run by Walter’s son Peter before being taken on by a well known greengrocer and former customer from childhood in David Joseph in 2015. Joseph knows his business and supplies many top restaurants, so the choice of fruit and vegetables is first class. It is all going online with nationwide delivery an option. Hampers have always been a thing, especially with cricket followers going to Lords down the road. The Going Overboard is £550.
13-19 Circus Road, NW8 6PB
There are some imaginative hamper seelections like the New Mum at £80 or a simple Breafast box for £40. Plus, for locals only, a fruit basket for £55 which ought to be good.
