Mia Delicy

Franklin Roosevelt 85, 25318112, LEMESOS (LIMASSOL)
Tue-Sat 11:00-23:00
Take-away and delivery service available all day
Food: [rating:4] 4/5
Service: [rating:4] 4/5
Ambiance: [rating:3] 3/5
When I was asked by a proud Cypriot friend to have a lunch/meeting at this deli at Franklin Roosevelt (avenue?) in Limassol, I thought to myself what a wasted lunch. Why not go somewhere by the beach, or somewhere where at least we could enjoy some people watching. She said, “trust me, it’s worth it”. I thought, – I admit now that I was ever so slightly arrogant- “well, that depends on what kind of standards one has”.
When I parked outside, and went in, the voices in my head were even louder. They were screaming “one of the same, sandwiches and salads”. The banner on the sign outside was practically a list of what the deli was offering, the green/white décor that was cute but simple all brought together the image of a casual take out place. It was only when I started reading the menu that I thought, perhaps I had been a bit strict. When my proud Cypriot friend said the English/Cypriot military engineer who left the military to follow his passion even cures his own bacon I heard a little bell ringing in my head. I only started getting excited when the complimentary bread, salami and sweet tomato dip arrived. And boy, had my friend been right!
I had the salt beef sandwich with mustard mayo sauce and crisp dill pickles, which was served on a caramelized onion rye Focaccia bread that David makes himself. It was absolutely delicious. I couldn’t believe I was eating this kind of a sandwich in such an unpredictable place. The bread was crispy on the outside yet spongy and light while the salt beef was tender and full of flavour. Even the presentation in a long black plate with a small salad bowl on the side was a surprise. The anari salad (baked anari papillote) that was basically anari marinated in oregano oil, baked in a parcel with Mediterranean vegetables, was delicious, mildly salty with a bit of sweet taste as well. The Vietnamese rolls, one of the special dishes, served in rice bread roll with combinations that fused different parts of the world were excellent. Ceviche from Mexico, Vegetarian from China and Chicken from Japan were the options that one could choose from. What was even more impressive was that, despite the fact that we had ordered 3 completely different types of dishes all three had been fantastic. That surely says something about the owner. Let’s not forget the dessert that we were kindly offered, the shortcake with condensed milk with a banana flavour.
So what is the big secret of success? Simple. Home-made. David makes EVERYTHING himself. I am talking about the bread, the pickles, the tartar sauce, the pesto. He even “smokes the salmon” himself. It is funny how the love, the attention and the detail one puts into cooking is immediately transferred to the client.
The only sad part is that I didn’t get to the seabass sandwich that I heard was phenomenal. Or the “halloumi BLT”, the Bangers and Mash, or even the breakfast with his home-made bacon!
I couldn’t be happier discovering this hidden gem. I even thought it is a bit wasted in that area. He could be located in the most central place of Limassol and Nicosia and show everyone else how it’s done! Prices? Sandwiches up to 6.50€ and salads between 7.50-9.90€, more than fair for what you would get. I can’t wait to return to this proper gourmet sandwich and salad little restaurant, the happiest place for foodies!