Ramblings of Rick Rockhill. Pet Food Nutrition Industry Veteran. Public Speaker. Student of life, doing what I love. Following my passions and that which inspire me. Advocate for the health benefits of the human-animal bond, animal nutrition, animal advocacy, awareness of prescription drug abuse and the fentanyl crisis. Home is Palm Springs, California, USA.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rick's Roadshow: London, High Tea at Fortnum & Mason
above: The exterior of the Fortnum & Mason building on Picadilly Street in London. Check out the up close detail of the clock.
Fortnum's Legendary Afternoon High Tea
The primary reason for my visit to Fortnum & Mason was to take Afternoon High Tea, the quintessential English tradition. I particularly like going to Fortnum's for tea because they offer proper high tea, in an elegant setting that is comfortable and relaxing. There is usually piano music playing softly in the background, or even harp music or violins. It's as near to a slice of heaven on earth as one can find in London.
above: Guests may choose to take tea in a more informal setting, such as on a comfy sofa, settee or arm chair, or at a more formal table with complete linen service. I probably don't need to tell you which one I prefer...
above: High Tea at Fortnums starts with champagne, then a choice of things like finger sandwiches, Eggs Benedict, smoked salmon and Welsh Rarebit. I happen to quite like Welsh Rarebit (it's really just toast with melted cheese and mustard). Then, fresh made, warm scones with clotted cream and jam are served. I could eat scones all day if you let me.
above: The service ends with a fabulous selection of petits fours (miniature cakes and pastries). By the point I have usually had far too many scones and limit myself to 2 or 3 petits fours at most. I resisted the temptation to have a photo taken of me, but I did manage to sneak in all these other photos. After tea, I went shopping for all sorts of unnecessary but truly wonderful things. It was a perfect way to spend an afternoon in London. Rick's Roadshow continues...
-Rick Rockhill
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10 comments:
YUM, YUM, YUM, Rick! I love both the Couches and the more formal table, too!
Eating that much at High Tea, well...no dinner is needed, is it? LOL.....Beautiful pictures of a real speacial treat, Rick.
I hope we get to meet one of these days when you are in Hollywood, down the road from me at The Hollywood Roosevelt....! It's not as far as going to London...(lol)!
funny i always heard "high" tea was for the commoners because they "took" their tea at the kitchen table while the upper class "took" theirs on the sofas and such. and they got the left overs in the kitchen. guess i am wrong rick? anyway i love this on the cruise ships at 3:30!
i am still loving your trip!
smiles, bee
xxoxooxoxoxxo
Rick, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to eat scones all day. The scone police shall have to be called, and you'll be tossed into the fancy pastry jail where you'll sit and mull over your crimes.
Good thing there's a treadmill in there.
Hey, oldold lady of the hills, I used to work at Hollywood & Highland, and lived one block behind it, on Orchid. We'd go into The Roosevelt all of the time for this or that, but mostly that wonderful lounge. What a beautiful, historic old hotel THAT is!
High Tea, what a wonderfully proper tradition. We have only experienced it at the Empress in Victoria, CA. It was a splendid experience. Your Fortnums experience sounds exquisite.
Oh, Lord....welsh rarebit and eggs benedict are two of my favorites! We had high tea at the Palm Court in the Plaza in NYC many years ago, but Fortnum's sounds much better!!
That sounds perfectly delightful!
I will miss Fortnums and my buying things in my favourite shade of blue-green.
The famous clock above the main entrance only dates from 1962! Did you hear it chime the hour?
As for the new decor in the tearoom...the wallpaper is the same but overall it does look less formal. I like the new Wedgwood service, even on the cake tiers which used to be all silver.
Did you eat sugar all day then?
Whimsical- it is, it is, I assure you!
Kenju- I miss having tea at the Plaza in NY! The Waldorf is a good substitute though!
Olivia- happy and safe travels to you.
Rhodester- Wait til you see me eating scones while driving..
Although hubby and I are decidedly NOT fancy people, high tea is something I would love to try. Something to accomplish on my "bucket list."
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