Darlo’s in the middle of a reality TV-esque run of great deli’s and providores. It’s beyond dispute. But my last report only told half the story.

The thing started when a friend said this a few months ago:

The younger generation of the family has taken over the Seven Star convenience store next to Una’s. It’s now closer to a deli than a 7-11.

Pelagio, the expensive deli across the road, was renovating, but it’s reopened. Now they’re stocking roughly the same stuff.

It’s like having a reality TV show in the hood: we’re not sure who is going to succeed, but it really only makes sense that one of them will.

Lee Tran‘s comment reminded me to follow it up.

On one side of Victoria Street, the Seven Star’s had a reverse bout of plastic surgery – unchanged exterior, fancy products and fresh produce inside.

The guys behind A Tavola, the great Italian restaurant a few doors down from Seven Star, have taken over the deli across the road, Pelagio.

Formerly known as Providore Pelagio, it’s been heading downhill for ages, with old produce and overpriced products.

The A Tav guys have radically changed the renamed Gastronomia Pelagio, installing a long communal table, and focussing the product line to high end deli products – cheeses, baked goods, meats. It’s much better than before, still pricey though.