My dream has always been to go to High Tea at some good place in England. I have always loved British novel and tea. I wanted to go to an authentic place and have it. When I knewI was going to Britain that was the first thing I put on my to do list. Just as some of my friends wanted to go up in the Eye and I went along to be a good sport, so did they accompany me to my dream scenario. We couldn’t get in the Ritz on short notice, so we went to the Winter Garden at the Landmark Hotel. It is new by British standards, late nineteenth century. It was all we hoped for. It was a courtyard under glass that looked just like an upscale mall in Virginia that seems to be copied from it. It was light airy and had huge potted palms like the conservatories in many of the novels I read. In the mall in Virginia, they had potted palms, but they were made of copper.
There were seven of us. I had the regular tea menu, but some of the group had a chocolate tea, which I would choose next time because everything about it, but the sandwiches was chocolate. Thank goodness, the friends who did the chocolate tea were generous in sharing, so we got to try it all. The high tea was accompanied by champagne. I do not generally like champagne, but with the tea goodies, it was delightful. Waiters in tuxedos hovered over, refilling glasses and teapots regularly. We got slightly tipsy. We are proper ladies, so it was as much a surprise to us as anybody. We had a delightful giggly time.
I often go to tea at the Windsor Court Hotel when I am in New Orleans, so the whole ceremonial effect was to new to me. The menu was the same. We started out with tea sandwiches = chicken salad, cucumber. egg salad,and salmon. That must be traditional because they were the same on both continents – only the English sandwiches had no mayonnaise or cream cheese on the bread. I found this to be true of all british sandwiches – rather dry. Next came the scones in the US, whereas in England, they were served last. They came with clotted cream. In the US, we had lemon curd as well as the clotted cream and raspberry jam. The sweets were a lovely assortment. Which we enjoyed, but I envied the chocolate tea. I had Earl Grey tea, which is my favorite. We tried several different pots among us. Some of my friends had herbal tea with no caffeine. I always feel like what’s the point if you don’t get your caffeine jolt, especially if you’ve walked a hundred miles around the city. They piano music was softly tinkling in the background. It was all quite elegant. We giggled and sipped our way through a delightful afternoon. Some of the group was not were not too keen on going to tea, but once they got there, they were glad they came. I don’t know whether it was the atmosphere, the whole experience or just the champagne, but the Tipsy tea is a must do if you ever get to Britain.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Souvenirs of England and Paris
I left home knowing I was not going to buy much. I knew that the pound and the euro were worth a lot more than the dollar at the moment, even after the Greeks pulled their money stunts, I knew that food was not included in the cost of the tour and that most of my resources would go toward that end. I also had gotten a good deal on a triple strand of small pearls on ebay exactly three days before departure. I’m glad I got those pearls. All jewelry was very expensive in Europe. I got my mother a fake rhinestone flower basket pin at Windsor Castle and it cost me $50.
I did my limited souvenir in the gift shops of the historic sites and at the National Trust stores which benefit the historic sites. Their shops are stocked with things picked out by cultured little old ladies with taste. Also, they must be impoverished gentlewomen because the prices are reasonable. Notice, I didn’t say cheap. My souvenirs need to have a sense of place to be meaningful. Also, these days, one suitcase is all you get unless you pay dearly. I did take a fairly large shopping bag from an American shopping mecca that is trying to get us to use recyclables. I put my purse in it on the return trip to make it my personal carryon item. Still, the things I bought were small. I bought music twice - a choral and organ CDs at St Paul’s Cathedral (where Charles and Di got married) and a set of 3 CDs of symphonic music by famous classical orchestras called “A Walk in the Countryside”. I have been playing the music constantly since I got home. The music gives me a great sense of the places I have been. I bought a heavy plaid wool throw (they call it a lap rug). I was a little worried about its weight, but I didn’t go over my 50 lb limit with it. It was cold enough when I got home with what our nanny used to call “the Easter snap” that I sat under it all day Sunday when I got back listening to my imported music. I always tend to buy music, books, and something to eat.
I love food. I tell everybody that food is one of my religions and I worship at every shrine I pass. What you can bring in to eat as limited. I .of course, got tea. England is famous for its tea drinking. I did a good bit of tea drinking there. Earl Grey is my favorite for everyday drinking, but I love fruit flavored teas. I looked all over to find some. There was this sleazy little shop across the hotel that had some. I didn’t like dealing with them because they cheated one of our party out of her change the first night. They were from a county that doesn’t much like tourists, especially women. Once they did that to her, I didn’t like giving them business. When she objected, they returned the right change, but it’s buyer beware. I searched all over for my tea. I didn’t want English Breakfast or Afternoon Tea. I finally found some flamboyant fruit varieties at Harrod’s. I think of the Food Halls at Harrod’s as a branch of heaven. I had read about them years ago in Gourmet Magazine. I had put a trip there on the top of my wish list. It didn’t disappoint. I went into the take away bakery and go some interesting things. I got a cheese and onion bread that was filled with browned onion slices and topped in the cuts with real sliced parmesan cheese. I can make that at home as I can the other pastries I tried. In fact, my favorite souvenir of all was the tastes I brought home to try. There was a cream cheese filled pastry that was flavored with lemon juice. The lemon made it probably the best cream cheese pastry I ever had. I’m going to make my special cream cheese braids for Easter and this time use lemon juice instead of vanilla. The best thing I got there was given to me by a friend who bought and didn’t want to keep up with it. It was a kind of pizza like bread that had fresh tomatoes and pesto baked on top. When you bit into itr, it was loaded with stuffed olives. I am an adventuresome cook who rarely uses recipes. I can taste something and tell what is basically in it. I knew I could make this. I came in today and did it. I whipped the pizza dough up in my food processor. I pulled it out thin and put the olives on. I used sliced olives because that is what I had. I have some very good pesto in a refrigerated jar from Sam’s. I bought some roma tomatoes at the grocery store because they are the only kind fit to eat this time of year. The English love their tomatoes. They even broil them for breakfast. We had a full English breakfast buffet at the hotel where we stayed that included the broiled tomatoes. It also included pork and beans. Of course, I tried them and decided beans on toast was a taste I had yet to acquire.
I guess my favorite souvenirs are the food memories I bring back and try to recreate in my own kitchen. The pizza bread is rising on the counter as I write. Some friends are coming over this afternoon to hear about the trip. I’m going to try it out on them, so they can tangibly share my souvenirs. I couldn’t fit them presents in my suitcase, but they’ll having something I made just for them that I’d never have known about without the trip!
I have a confession to make. Alongside the pizza bread rising, I have a pot of butterbeans and okra seasoned with Conecuh sausage cooking. I was hungry for some home cooked food that tasted like rural Southwest Alabama.
I did my limited souvenir in the gift shops of the historic sites and at the National Trust stores which benefit the historic sites. Their shops are stocked with things picked out by cultured little old ladies with taste. Also, they must be impoverished gentlewomen because the prices are reasonable. Notice, I didn’t say cheap. My souvenirs need to have a sense of place to be meaningful. Also, these days, one suitcase is all you get unless you pay dearly. I did take a fairly large shopping bag from an American shopping mecca that is trying to get us to use recyclables. I put my purse in it on the return trip to make it my personal carryon item. Still, the things I bought were small. I bought music twice - a choral and organ CDs at St Paul’s Cathedral (where Charles and Di got married) and a set of 3 CDs of symphonic music by famous classical orchestras called “A Walk in the Countryside”. I have been playing the music constantly since I got home. The music gives me a great sense of the places I have been. I bought a heavy plaid wool throw (they call it a lap rug). I was a little worried about its weight, but I didn’t go over my 50 lb limit with it. It was cold enough when I got home with what our nanny used to call “the Easter snap” that I sat under it all day Sunday when I got back listening to my imported music. I always tend to buy music, books, and something to eat.
I love food. I tell everybody that food is one of my religions and I worship at every shrine I pass. What you can bring in to eat as limited. I .of course, got tea. England is famous for its tea drinking. I did a good bit of tea drinking there. Earl Grey is my favorite for everyday drinking, but I love fruit flavored teas. I looked all over to find some. There was this sleazy little shop across the hotel that had some. I didn’t like dealing with them because they cheated one of our party out of her change the first night. They were from a county that doesn’t much like tourists, especially women. Once they did that to her, I didn’t like giving them business. When she objected, they returned the right change, but it’s buyer beware. I searched all over for my tea. I didn’t want English Breakfast or Afternoon Tea. I finally found some flamboyant fruit varieties at Harrod’s. I think of the Food Halls at Harrod’s as a branch of heaven. I had read about them years ago in Gourmet Magazine. I had put a trip there on the top of my wish list. It didn’t disappoint. I went into the take away bakery and go some interesting things. I got a cheese and onion bread that was filled with browned onion slices and topped in the cuts with real sliced parmesan cheese. I can make that at home as I can the other pastries I tried. In fact, my favorite souvenir of all was the tastes I brought home to try. There was a cream cheese filled pastry that was flavored with lemon juice. The lemon made it probably the best cream cheese pastry I ever had. I’m going to make my special cream cheese braids for Easter and this time use lemon juice instead of vanilla. The best thing I got there was given to me by a friend who bought and didn’t want to keep up with it. It was a kind of pizza like bread that had fresh tomatoes and pesto baked on top. When you bit into itr, it was loaded with stuffed olives. I am an adventuresome cook who rarely uses recipes. I can taste something and tell what is basically in it. I knew I could make this. I came in today and did it. I whipped the pizza dough up in my food processor. I pulled it out thin and put the olives on. I used sliced olives because that is what I had. I have some very good pesto in a refrigerated jar from Sam’s. I bought some roma tomatoes at the grocery store because they are the only kind fit to eat this time of year. The English love their tomatoes. They even broil them for breakfast. We had a full English breakfast buffet at the hotel where we stayed that included the broiled tomatoes. It also included pork and beans. Of course, I tried them and decided beans on toast was a taste I had yet to acquire.
I guess my favorite souvenirs are the food memories I bring back and try to recreate in my own kitchen. The pizza bread is rising on the counter as I write. Some friends are coming over this afternoon to hear about the trip. I’m going to try it out on them, so they can tangibly share my souvenirs. I couldn’t fit them presents in my suitcase, but they’ll having something I made just for them that I’d never have known about without the trip!
I have a confession to make. Alongside the pizza bread rising, I have a pot of butterbeans and okra seasoned with Conecuh sausage cooking. I was hungry for some home cooked food that tasted like rural Southwest Alabama.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Auditioning Shoes for England
As you read this, I will be touring Merry Old England! I have always liked why my college history professor said about England. He always referred to it as “The Mother Country”. One of the students asked another “What part of England is Dr. Smith from?”. The other answered wryly “Mobile”, which of course, is in our own rural Southwest Alabama. Along with Dr. Smith, I have always been something of an Anglophile. I love all things British. Team, hot, not the sweet tea that has been called the table wine of the South. Okay, I admit it, I make the tea hot in the morning to drink at the start of the day, but in the afternoon, I pour the leftover tea into a big glass of crushed ice. I don’t sweeten it, though. Really sweet tea sets my teeth on edge! I’m really looking forward to drinking tea with the locals over there.
I have made up my mind not to buy many souvenirs. The pound is made up of two dollars, which means everything costs twice as much. I learned a shopping lesson in Italy, a few years back. I debated hard about whether to buy this beautiful pottery pasta bowl. I was afraid I would break in on the way home. I didn’t buy it. I came back to the US and found a very similar one by the Italian pottery maker at a local discount chain. It was less than half the price of what it would have been in Italy. I plan to try to buy some tea that I can’t get at home. I may treat myself to a scarf or something easy to bring back. I have learned that if your bag (we are only allowed one) weighs one pound over 50lbs, we’ll have to pay $150. That will cut down on your buying quick! My everyday china is by Portmeirion, an English company. I can get all I want of it at the same discount store I bought the Italian bowl at. I’ll let you know how well I stuck to plan when I get back,
As I write this, I should be packing. My clothes are lying next to the suitcase for editing. I know that I am limited on what I can put in my 1 suitcase. I will debate with myself the rest of the night about what to take. Everybody tells me it will be damp and chilly, so I am planning accordingly. I am going to layer my clothes. The one thing that I know for sure about my wardrobe is that I will be taking two pair of the most comfortable shoes I own. I have been auditioning shoes for months to find the best candidates. Believe me, it was not a beauty contest. Neither pair is very pretty, but they make my feet feel well cared for. I promised my feet long ago, that I’d never do anything to hurt them again! If my feet are warm, I’m warm all over. If my feet are not hurting, I can walk many miles. My goal is to see everything I can in the short eight days allotted to the trip. I am going with friends that I have traveled with before, so I know we’ll be a congenial group. The only place I anticipate any trouble is try to drag my dear friend into an Indian restaurant. My daughter has traveled to England a number of times and says that the best food is the Indian food. There are a lot Indian restaurants because of its being an English colony for so long. Nobody has anything nice to say about English food except the pub food. I love to eat. I am like an army, I travel on my stomach.
The one thing I must do while I am there is to have a high tea somewhere. I love to go the Windsor Court, the English hotel in New Orleans for tea. I feel so elegant eating the frilly food served on those pretty little stands while harp music is being played in the background. Another thing on my MUST SEE list is the food hall at Harrods, which I understand cover several floors. There is bound to be something special amongst all those. Anther on the list is the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
We’ll also be making excursion to Stonehenge, Bath, Salisbury, Windsor and a very long day trip to Paris via the Chunnel (the tunnel that runs under the English Channel). We leave at 4:30 am for that, but some things are worth it.
I can’t begin to predict how things will go, but I can predict one thing – I’ll be wearing comfortable shoes. The two pair that made the cut will assure me of that!
I love living in rural Southwest Alabama. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see the world. I must admit, though, it is hard to leave now that the cold has gone away and I can sit on the porch. A neighbor and I enjoyed wine on the porch last night. I’ll have the rest of my life to do that, Going on this trip will give me some new stories to tell on the porch.
I have made up my mind not to buy many souvenirs. The pound is made up of two dollars, which means everything costs twice as much. I learned a shopping lesson in Italy, a few years back. I debated hard about whether to buy this beautiful pottery pasta bowl. I was afraid I would break in on the way home. I didn’t buy it. I came back to the US and found a very similar one by the Italian pottery maker at a local discount chain. It was less than half the price of what it would have been in Italy. I plan to try to buy some tea that I can’t get at home. I may treat myself to a scarf or something easy to bring back. I have learned that if your bag (we are only allowed one) weighs one pound over 50lbs, we’ll have to pay $150. That will cut down on your buying quick! My everyday china is by Portmeirion, an English company. I can get all I want of it at the same discount store I bought the Italian bowl at. I’ll let you know how well I stuck to plan when I get back,
As I write this, I should be packing. My clothes are lying next to the suitcase for editing. I know that I am limited on what I can put in my 1 suitcase. I will debate with myself the rest of the night about what to take. Everybody tells me it will be damp and chilly, so I am planning accordingly. I am going to layer my clothes. The one thing that I know for sure about my wardrobe is that I will be taking two pair of the most comfortable shoes I own. I have been auditioning shoes for months to find the best candidates. Believe me, it was not a beauty contest. Neither pair is very pretty, but they make my feet feel well cared for. I promised my feet long ago, that I’d never do anything to hurt them again! If my feet are warm, I’m warm all over. If my feet are not hurting, I can walk many miles. My goal is to see everything I can in the short eight days allotted to the trip. I am going with friends that I have traveled with before, so I know we’ll be a congenial group. The only place I anticipate any trouble is try to drag my dear friend into an Indian restaurant. My daughter has traveled to England a number of times and says that the best food is the Indian food. There are a lot Indian restaurants because of its being an English colony for so long. Nobody has anything nice to say about English food except the pub food. I love to eat. I am like an army, I travel on my stomach.
The one thing I must do while I am there is to have a high tea somewhere. I love to go the Windsor Court, the English hotel in New Orleans for tea. I feel so elegant eating the frilly food served on those pretty little stands while harp music is being played in the background. Another thing on my MUST SEE list is the food hall at Harrods, which I understand cover several floors. There is bound to be something special amongst all those. Anther on the list is the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
We’ll also be making excursion to Stonehenge, Bath, Salisbury, Windsor and a very long day trip to Paris via the Chunnel (the tunnel that runs under the English Channel). We leave at 4:30 am for that, but some things are worth it.
I can’t begin to predict how things will go, but I can predict one thing – I’ll be wearing comfortable shoes. The two pair that made the cut will assure me of that!
I love living in rural Southwest Alabama. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see the world. I must admit, though, it is hard to leave now that the cold has gone away and I can sit on the porch. A neighbor and I enjoyed wine on the porch last night. I’ll have the rest of my life to do that, Going on this trip will give me some new stories to tell on the porch.
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