Traditional afternoon tea at swanky department store Fortnum & Mason. (In Piccadilly.)
London photo of the day: yes, there are cucumber sandwiches
share and enjoy
shop to support
sample sponsored post (sponsored) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Fusce quis risus odio.
I had afternoon tea there once, with my wife. I looked around the large room and realised that I was the only Brit in the room. The customers were American and Japanese; the waiters were Italian. A strange feeling.
I’m not knocking it, though. Apart from the rather excessive quantities, it was very nice. For better surroundings, the Lanesborough Hotel was good, though way overpriced.
I’ve never had it.
I hadn’t either until I left the country, moved to Japan and married a Japanese woman. That was exactly the impression I got in Fortnum’s: no Brits.
The Lanesborough was a bit different, because it was so conspicuously a part of that chunk of society that likes flaunting wealth, rather than Fortnum’s, which seemed to be aiming for the tourist market.
But you have to give ’em props for being there, Paul – afternoon tea is pretty rare in America, and it’s an experience that we should all have at least once in our lives. Talk about a boost to the old ego! Elegance, “real British”, lovely little break from the bus tour, yummy treats.
If you want it without the American tourists, though, go out in the countryside to some picturesque places that aren’t on every tour itinerary. Maybe not F & M but cozy and quaint counts too.
Man, the memories that Maryann’s move to London is bringing up! Oh…..
I wasn’t dissing the American and Japanese guests at all. As you say, it was a very pleasant experience.
cucumber sandwiches, of a slightly less haute variety, used to be a staple student fare while studying in Israel. (the bread crust was the best part!)
When I was a kid, my grandmother gave me her recipe for cucumber sandwiches. She told me that any time I was invited to a party, if I wasn’t sure what to bring, I should always bring cucumber sandwiches.
To this day, I follow this advice – and through the years, from hipster-ish parties in my 20s to grass-roots political events to full blown dinner parties now that I’m in my 40’s, cucumber sandwiches always get the same reaction: Bemused glances, followed by being completely devoured, followed by recipe requests.
Behold the power of the simple tea sandwich.