"Sorry, we can’t talk right now. We’re busy pretending we own a farm, have a gaggle of ducks named after A.A. Milne characters, and a very real need to buy a kilo of gruyère on a Wednesday lunchtime. Such is the sweet, wholesome dissociation that occurs within Stokey’s Delicatessan, a faux countryside shop and deli. It’s the kind of place where Stoke Newington Church Street locals wander in for eggs and a loaf of sourdough, and leave with a tub of Sicilian marmalade, artisan pickle-flavoured crisps, and a blossoming friendship with the knitwear enthusiast working behind the charcuterie counter. The coffee is great and if you, like us, are partial to ‘a little treat’, stop by for one of the cinnamon-dusted morning buns or a glistening, flaky pain au chocolat fresh from The Dusty Knuckle. And a bag of chocolate biscotti. And homemade granola. And a bottle of Stokey’s pre-batched Negroni because another long day on the farm is thirsty work. photo credit: Heidi Lauth Beasley" - Heidi Lauth Beasley