Hi, Neopolitan. How is Lee and your mum? I hope all is well.

If you want the experience of a posh London hotel, like the Savoy or Claridge's, why not just go into the bar for a cocktail? It will only set you back $10-15. You can probably even take your cocktail into one of the hotel seating areas.

No, I haven't been back to Brown's since it re-opened. However, a post on another site reported that the tea rooms have changed very little, for which I'm extremely grateful. I love the English-country-house atmosphere there.

I'll second the cocktail suggestion. Tea is merely plating up preprepared (albeit good quality) patisserie, serving it, and charging you for the priviledge of something you could just as easily go out and buy and enjoy at home.

A cocktail has to be mixed, often one doesn't have the necessary ingredients to hand at home, and it's served with nibbles that cannot be shop bought. Or if you want a meal, have dinner, far better than tea.

ImitationofChrist, you must be a "resurrection" of another screen name. Who are you?

Sadly "mum" died over a year ago. Lee did just fine on this trip. Those who say that Alzheimer patients will have a rough time with travel don't know Lee, who did better than when he's at home.

If I am not mistaken, IOC is none other than the fabulous TG.

TG? Naw, I'm just a tragically hip clothing line.

Thank you, walking, for writing the truth. I have never been to a posh London hotel for tea in my life, and neither has my mother. I haven't even had tea at the Peninsula hotel in HK, which is a tourist ritual.

It is very ironic that Americans are telling the British about their eating and drinking habits.

Look, even mkingdom doesn't have tea at Brown's, and there is no Brit posher than she/he.

Cheers