He's right but a few pointers:

2. Note the use of the word kettle - yanks don't have kettles (this is a source of continuing wonderment to me - but they don't). You can't make tea without a kettle - as you need boiling water (not hot - boiling)

8. Englishone is obviously a bit houseproud, or female. Otherwise they'd do what all english men do and put the used bag on the draining board.

I think you guys have lost Cindysphinx.

Yes, sorry to say but it was the North Sea Restaurant on Leigh St., about a year ago . I just Googled it to make sure and our experience was not unique. Here is another digruntled customer.

"We had lunch at the North Sea fish restaurant on Saturday and my husband ordered a large middle of skate which they did not have and so ordered two small midlle of skate when the bill arrived the fish itself cost £19.00 which was very expensive. (the fish was nothing other than ordinary) The manager needs to go on a customer care course as she had a long face and absolutely no personality what so ever. The bill came to £57.00 for a fish and chip lunch. We will not be going to this restaurant again."

Sadly, couldn't of said it better myself despite the fact this place had been wonderful in the past...someone suggested it over-reached itself when it stopped being a chippy and became a sit-down with wine restaurant...sigh/I guess I should have known better.

And thank you English one...

haha, yes you are right, I'm a bird.

And I confess put my teabags on a cat shaped spoon rest - very girly lol

You forgot the most important thing rich tea biscuts!!!

No cup of tea is the same without them.

Dunking is optional (though recommended)

Unless things have changed in the last six months I don't see how you could possible spend sixty notes in the North Sea. You'd burst.

You are talking about the one in Leigh St?

Okay, A&F, I can see you are a cautious one-is it possible that North Sea has two sides...one a sit-down restaurant and one a proper chippy?

Caroline, even better are the chocolate digestives or hob nobs. Or My absolute favourites - Jaffa Cakes! What more do you need in life.

LJ - that's the place (plaice?). I'm just amazed you managed to spend so much.

I've always had good food there and found the prices perfectly reasonable.

Maybe you had an off-day when you went?

Jaffa cakes - they don't contain jaffas and they aren't cakes. 'nuff said.

Roses lime jelly on buttered toast!

Seriously, tea in a posh hotel is the equivalent of a cowboy cook-out at the Waldorf.

Should one use a knife and fork when dunking?

no waring you need to use a spoon, for digging all the mushy bits of the biscuts from the bottom of the mug.

Hi cindy,

I am here in England right now with my family. My daughter and I had tea at the Wolseleys..sp?? Next to the Ritz. It was 20£ each, and no it wasn't worth the money. Keep in mind these are different types of sandwiches, such as salmon and mayo, egg salad with may, cucumber and cream cheese etc. The perfect answer is to go to "Cream tea". It is served at the same time, but it is just 8£ perperson. It includes tea, scones and clotted cream and strawberry jam. This was our favorite part of the "high" tea. You can save $$$ nd still have the nice experience. Try the Wolseleys, next to the Ritz, great service and very authentic feel. Check my spelling it's not correct. Cheers!
Tina

Proper thing, Tinabina...we need to be brought to order and return this thread to its owners.

And speaking of ordering, A&F; next time Me and Mine come to London, we will call on you to go with us and order for us and with the money we save we can treat you...(perhaps it was the wine? I know it doesn't "go" but fish and chips cry out for a decent verdicchio...)

You all forgot Primula cheese spread in a toothpaste tube, tinned sardines, Mr Kipling Fondant Fancies and Battenberg cake. I hated Battenberg.

Cream teas are a good way to sample proper tea. They are served in tea rooms up and down the country for as little as 3 or 4 pounds. Very filling too. And I confess to enjoying the odd cream tea when out and about. Though clotted cream is not too good for the old cholesterol levels though

"This was our favorite part of the "high" tea"

High tea is not the same thing as afternoon tea.

&quot;<i>Isnt it funny that the Americans are ignoring our 'aufentik' tea drinking anecdotes.</i>&quot;

Not really since most of us don't understand a bleeding word (being bi-lingual, I don't need an interpreter)

Hey everyone,

How about some kind allowances for us stupid Americans. Really, being here in GB right now, I have not met anyone as rude or picky as some of these posters. Most people are just trying to get a small sense of the many,many facets of the UK. Everyone I have encountered were gracious and helpful, that is what Cindy was looking for, not code and exclusion! I live in San Diego, and we certainly don't mock visitors for boogie boarding and frolicking in the Pacific, while planning a trip to Disneyland. Come on, let's lighten up a little and give each other a hand. Sorry about the &quot;high tea&quot; comment, sorry it was so offensive!

Thanks to those will helpful comments. We are here on a Home Swap on the Wirral and having the best time ever. People are lovely and generous. We even got the chance to experience &quot;tea&quot; at our homeowners parent's house. Lillian set out all sorts of tasty bites and bits, all outside on a lovely afternoon. Was it better than the afternoon tea in London? You bet!! But not everyone is as lucky to have such generous people looking out for them and inviting them into their home!! I am getting hooked on tea, as well as pints. Uh oh.