Review: The Noisy Lobster Deli, Shop & Bakery, Mudeford

AVON beach, with its expanse of fine white sand and colourful beach huts lining the shoreline, is the perfect setting for a picnic.

Us Brits love a picnic, and we don’t even require cloudless blue skies or balmy conditions; a mere suggestion of sun and we’re crafting a delectable menu and digging out the rug.

But let’s face it, al fresco dining, while joyful, can be a labour-intensive affair. Once you’ve assembled your snacks and worked your way through half a roll of clingfilm, keeping them cool and transporting them along with all the other outdoor paraphernalia is the next challenge - and anyone who’s eaten a soggy sandwich squashed flat by a slowly thawing freezer block will know this.

My experience on Avon beach in Christchurch was vastly different and totally hassle-free thanks to The Noisy Lobster Deli, Shop & Bakery, which brings together all those extra-special treats that are perfect for enjoying in the summer months.

My friend and I were invited to select our own products for a picnic lunch in one of the company’s 50 beach huts, and with such a wealth of tempting offerings it was accomplished in no time.

There was sourdough freshly baked onsite, rosemary focaccia, an array of beautifully presented cakes and pastries, classic deli meats, local artisan cheeses, jams and chutneys made by Noisy Lobster chefs, whipped butters and dips, lobster oil, olives, Isle of Wight tomatoes and chilled fine wines - this was unparalleled indulgence.

The shop was packed full of everything you need for an impromptu day at the beach - even cool bags, caps, quirky totes, and sunglasses.

Having assembled our lunch with the help of the friendly staff, who sliced our bread for us and informed us which of the cheeses were local, we made our way to the hut. It was conveniently located close to the facilities, including The Noisy Lobster restaurant, food huts, toilets and beach-level car park.

Settled in our deck chairs and looking out onto the water in the privacy of our hut, we started with white sourdough topped with whipped seaweed and truffle butter.

The bread was the best I’ve tasted; I sometimes find sourdough too dense and chewy, but this was soft with a thin, crackly crust, even interior and delicate tang - ideal for sandwiches.

The butter had an earthy, rich flavour, and a fluffy texture that imparts a light mouthfeel.

Next up were the cheeses, made at the Book & Bucket dairy just outside Wimborne using sheep and cow's milk sourced from local farms with the highest animal welfare.

We had selected the Cranborne Blue and Smoked Wordsworth, which for me were the highlight of the picnic.

The Wordsworth was a traditional Dorset oak smoked gouda, and it had a wonderfully supple texture and delicate smokiness that did well not to undermine the creamy flavours.

The other was a really gentle blue - much milder and creamier with less veining, but it still packs a punch with its salty, pungent flavours.

Both paired really well with the Noisy Lobster’s own aubergine pickle and Real Cure’s fennel and white pepper salami, produced in Shaftesbury using high welfare British meat.

A 2-Star Great Taste Award winner, it was big on flavour, perfectly marrying aromatic fennel with the heat of the pepper.

To finish, we enjoyed a wonderful selection of cakes and pastries, including pistachio and white chocolate bruffins (brioche and muffin), pecan and cinnamon buns, Oreo macarons, bakewells and florentines.

They were all divine, but being well-versed when it comes to sweet treats I can tell you the pecan and cinamon bun was top of the pile - this would be my breakfast obsession if I lived a little closer.

Fluffy and light, packed with warm cinnamon spice and covered in a thick layer of icing tasting of nuts and caramel, they will satisfy even the sweetest tooth.

Another favourite of mine was the pistachio and white chocolate bruffin – the latest cult food hybrid. It was intensely buttery with a light melt-in-the-mouth texture – but I think a touch more frosting would have enhanced it further.

For the most enviable spread on the beach, The Noisy Lobster Deli, Shop & Bakery is the place to go. It does come at a higher price, but for local produce that tastes this good and is so sustainable, it’s worth paying the premium.

And if you want the ultimate beach picnic, with shade from the sun, shelter from the odd shower, and a base for your snacks to avoid ingesting half the beach, hire a hut.

They cost £50 a day, and each is fitted with a modern worktop and cupboard. Keys can be collected from the shop from 8.30am and must be handed back in at dusk; so guests can truly make the most of their seaside trip.

Also available to book is the Noisy Lobster’s occasions hut, which is ideal for celebrations or just a get-together. Facilities include an oven, fridge, water carrier, kettle, six-foot table and 12 chairs.

• The Advertiser & Times has teamed up with The Noisy Lobster to give readers a 10% discount on standard huts throughout July, subject to availability. When booking online at https://noisylobster.co.uk/beach-huts/ simply type in the code AT10NL.

• To be in with a chance of winning a free standard beach hut hire for the day, pick up this week’s A&T and turn to page 23