I am thinking about going to Browns or Fortum & Mason's for high tea. I read in one of my travel guides that there is a dress code. Will my husband have to wear a sports coat and tie? If that is the case we'll have to scratch high tea from our itinerary!

Thanks for the information!

What you actually want is afternoon tea; high tea is more of a meal. You might get away without a jacket at Fortnum's but not at Brown's--however, that doesn't matter, since the hotel is closed for renovation.

BTW, tea at Brown's is more than worth a jacket and tie.

I don't think that I wore a jacket to Brown's afternoon tea in February. Neither did a male friend. Actually my two friends and I were seated in the adjoining room since we didn't book -- we joked throughout that we were banished to the children's room.

And, by the way, I found Brown's overrated (I think that the pianist we had that day could broaden the repertoire a bit -- I think he played two movements of the Mozart A major concerto without orchestral accompaniment (no finale) and then simply repeated this when he ran out of stuff to play). I found Savoy quite charming (but Savoy really never gets mentioned here). Don't know Ritz. Was at Lanesborough once also.

I'm consulting with Brown's regarding their renovations.

The only place a jacket and tie is required is at The Ritz - don't be so old fashioned and naff.

There is a dress code at the fourth floor St. James restaurant at F and M's, I'm afraid. When we went up there to look it over, we didn't want to stay, as it was way too stiff and geriatric looking for our tastes. The Lanesborough is quite nice, and they don't care if you're dressed up or not. I went there to meet a friend for drinks in jeans and flip-flops, and as my friend says, they just think you're some rich American-they don't care how you're dressed! (however, I didn't know we were going to the Lanesborough, in all honesty, I would have dressed myself up a bit if I had known-contrary to what you might read, people DO dress nicely to go out in London-smart casual is fine though).

By the way, one interesting thing about Brown's -- supposedly Agatha Christie had tea there or something (there's a plaque noting this right outside the so-called "Drawing Room," where tea is served).

"don't be so old fashioned and naff" oh, that's funny-as funny as that expression I heard you say for the first time some posts ago-what was it? "Vicky and Dave" "once in a lifetime experience with the jacket and tie"-my stomach started cramping -I literally was rolling over that one! Please tell me-since I'm utterly unfamiliar with that expression-is that the middle class bougeois English couple-too funny-I can't even write it without laughing!

"Vicky and Dave" is a reference to Victoria Adams and David Beckham satritically made in jest by a rubber Scary Spice.

Or should that be "scurrreee"?