I just love the way the clerks are dressed!

oops - hit post before putting in my two penc re F&M. It a "must" for me most trips. (I also like Harrods and Harvey Nicks BTW)

The service is impeccable, the restaurants are very nice. And venture upstairs to the men's or women's departments, cosmetics, etc. really a wonderful old place - Liberty is in the same vein. Just a lovely, refined place to shop.

And the Burlington Arcade and Royal Acadamey are right there so you can visit all three.

Then walk down Piccadilly to the Ritz, and across Green Park to B'ham Palace. A great stroll . . .

that should be "two pence" . . (or tuppence)

starspinners, I thought I was the only person who liked F&M's violet-flavored chocolate! I always bring back a package that contains several different kinds of their exotic-flavored chocolates (violet, Earl Grey, cinnamon, etc.) to share with my friends at work when I return from a trip to London, and I'm usually the only one in the group who eats the violet ones.

Degas,

Fortnum and Mason brand shortbread, especially with stem ginger is to die for, but you may already be dead if you've tried their truly horrible "Superb Selection of Assorted Chocolates", some of which smelled and tasted ( according to my kids) just like children's bubble bath!

Degas

Was that your leg?

SoloAlex and others who might be interested, the DFS at Heathrow does carry a decent line of F&M goods. If that wink was to imply a sarcastic remark, I'm sorry for stating the obvious. Although the store is a worthwhile visit, it sure would've been nice not having to pack all those tea canisters we bought!

To all - thanks for the great feedback. I learned some interesting stuff about slang, the uniforms and the story about washing the coins and ironing the paper bills years ago. I'll drop those juicy tidbits around my travel companions and look way smarter than I really am!

calamari, in regards to your question: one must sometimes be "slightly" indirect in a public forum.

Regarding tea, each of the restaurants has a different blend of tea which you can also buy to take home.

If you bring F&M a sample of your water, they will choose a tea that works well with the type of water you have.

As for Brit talk, it's very important to remember that biscuits = cookies.

I worked at The Fountain at F&M 7 years ago. It is actually more formal than the Patio but less than St. James. They have a wonderful afternoon tea, as well as a great pre-theatre dinner menu and terrific full English breakfast. Speaking as a once-staffer, the staff are always busy and harried, so grab somone when you need something because they may not have time to help you otherwise. Oh, and tip them if they are good :-)

I'm heading back to London for the first time since I worked over there and F&M is first on my list of must-dos!

Gothampc, are you doing a clever ruse to get a naive country boy to take a water sample all the way to London so the staff can get a good laugh?

dumas, don't be calling me naive. I've been around the block a few times!

How big of a sample of well water do I take?

Bree...
I like F& M's violet flavored chocolates so much that each October I bring 2 boxes home and keep them in my freezer. All for me, mind you, no one else in my household favors them.
I parcel them out to myself & I try to make then last until January. But were you ever to drop by at tea time, I'm sure I would consider breaking out one or two for you. O:-)

I do know that F&M used to accept water samples and blend specific tea, but I can't find the info on their website. Maybe someone in London can confirm that. But they do blend for specific tastes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/wine/main.jhtml;$sessionid$VP15GYZEKESNLQFIQMGSFFOAVCBQ WIV0?xml=/wine/2002/08/29/edtea31.xml&sSheet=/wine/2002/08/29/ixedmain31.html

Thanks for the offer, starspinners! I just might take you up on it one of these days -- or I would, if I knew where you lived....