Casa Iberica opens in Alphington

An industrial estate in the north-eastern suburbs is a far cry from Fitzroy's Latin quarter.

But it's here that Paulo and Mericia Da Silva have opened an offshoot of Johnston Street food store Casa Iberica, which has been supplying Melburnians with Spanish, Portuguese and South American ingredients since 1975, when many locals had trouble telling quiche from quesadilla.

"The building fell into our laps," says Mericia Da Silva. "It was perfect for us. It was just four walls and we've fitted it out but it was not too far from Casa Iberica in Fitzroy."

Street art brightens the double-fronted facade of the new premises, a combination of shop, smallgoods kitchen and warehouse in a quiet back street of Alphington.

The shop's tall shelves are neatly stacked with jars of dulce de leche and pickled jalapenos, packets of Mexican hot chocolate, tins of smoky Los Novios paprika and bottles of hot sauce with labels alluding to their after-effects.

Arepas (corn flatbread) and tortillas, cheese, chorizo, jamon and salami fill the fridges, the smallgoods packaged for self-service, rather than cut to order.

Beyond the shop's rear wall lies the smallgoods kitchen, which turns out a range of smallgoods, including fresh and dried chorizo, blood sausage, jamon and salami, which they sell at the Fitzroy shop and to Melbourne cafes and restaurants.

"It's a big step for us," says Mericia. "We're exhausted but excited."

Casa Iberica Deli, 154-156 Fulham Road, Alphington, is open 9.30am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. Tel 9497 2107.