Londoner Life Dot Com

One of the great British traditions that I absolutely adore is going to afternoon tea.  I booked a table last Saturday afternoon at Fortnum and Mason’s St James’s restaurant (see my Fortnum and Mason post for more information about the store) which was a nice escape from the cold weather outside!  The St James’s restaurant is situated on the entire 4th floor which is elegantly furnished with plush sofas as well as couples seats for more intimate dining.  We were given a choice of either traditional afternoon tea or high tea, with or without champagne.  We decided on the high tea given that we had not yet had lunch and wanted some hot food - I chose the Welsh Rarebit which is basically a posh name for cheese on toast (you can view their menu here).  This was also served with scones, a selection of cakes and of course tea.  The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, the service is attentive and friendly and there is also a live pianist.  It really is a beautiful escape from the busy city and is definately something I would recommend trying at least once.

Scones and Cakes

Share This

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

• » Comments (27)

A definate must-see in London is the famous Fortnum and Mason department store in Mayfair - Grocers to the Royal Family.  It is situated about halfway between Green Park station and Piccadilly Circus station on Piccadilly and hard to miss in its grandeur of eggshell blue colour.  Each of it windows always have elaborate displays of food themed for each season.  Fortnum and Mason is probably most famous for its quality food hall which covers the ground and lower ground floors in which you can find luxurious chocolates, cakes, sweets, cheeses, caviar, teas and coffees from around the world, a vast variety of jams, champagnes, food hampers and much more.  The prices are definately more than your usual supermarket but even if you are not planning on making a purchase it is well worth a look!  You can also find men and women’s cosmetics and apparel on the upper floors as well as accessories for the home.  There are also 3 restaurants within the store serving traditional British food, a wine bar and a newly opened ice cream parlour.

If you are not planning on visiting London in the near future, they have a website and online shop which ships internationally: www.fortnumandmason.com

Fortnum and Mason Department Store

Christmas Window Display

Another Window Display

Share This

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

• » Comments (5)

If you have a sweet tooth like me, then you will be pleased to hear that I came across a little old fashioned sweet shop today in Soho.  Mrs Kibble’s Olde Sweet Shoppe sells all your childhood favourites - cola cubes, lemon bonbons, candy necklaces, rosy apples, dib dabs… you name it!  After spending quite a while looking at everything they had to offer (I’m an indecisive Librian), I ended up buying some coconut ice and pistachio turkish delight.  Was disappointed to find out that they didn’t have any chocolate lollies though (the boiled sweet kind) but after searching the net have found an online retailer A Quarter Of which stocks them! 

Mrs Kibble’s Olde Sweet Shoppe Address: 57a Brewer Street, London W1F 9UL
Opening Times: 11am - 6pm (Mon - Thurs), 11am - 7pm (Fri, Sat) 11am - 4pm (Sun)

Share This

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

• » Comments (13)

La Maison Du Chocolat chocolates are one of the finest chocolates in the world and probably the most expensive too, where a box could set you back a few hundred pounds!  La Maison Du Chocolat has a shop in London on Piccadilly and their chocolates are also sold in Harrods in Knightsbridge.  Besides selling chocolates, they also sell a variety of macaroons and cakes.  My favourite cake is the Chocolate Pleyel Cake which costs £2.50 for a piece so you’ll be glad to know that I came across the recipe for it in the Canary Wharf Citylife magazine which I picked up whilst I was in the area last week!  I would really recommend trying out the recipe especially if there isn’t a La Maison Du Chocolat near you!

Ingredients:

200g dark chocolate
5 eggs (3 yolks - 5 whites)
190g butter
10g vanilla extract
170g icing sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
70g granulated sugar
100g flour
75g almond powder

Method:

• Grease a 25cm cake tin and put it in the fridge
• Break the chocolate into small pieces and place it in a glass bowl.  Heat the bowl gently by placing it over a saucepan filled with boiling water until the chocolate has melted.  Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
• When the chocolate has melted, add the butter cut into small cubes.  Blend and then add the vanilla, yolks and icing sugar.  Mix again.
• Add the almond powder, take the bowl off the saucepan, add the flour and mix throughly.
• Preheat the oven to 200C (gas mark 7).
• Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks, add the salt and then add the granulated sugar a little at a time and keep beating.  Add the egg whites to the chocolate mixture and blend well.
• Flour the cake tin and pour the mixture into it.
• Place the cake tin in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• To check it is baked, poke the cake with the blade of a knife and if the blade comes out dry, then it’s ready.
• Remove the cake from the oven and the tin, and leave to cool before serving.

Well that’s all folks!  Hope you enjoy eating it!

Share This

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

• » Comments (12)