MissPrism

My Yorkshire grandma used to serve cold meats for tea or what she called savoury ducks or what. Would call faggots. She wasn't much of a cook, but like many Yorkshirewomen, she was a superb baker and party cook. I still remember her curd tarts

sofarsogood

to the tune of Que Sera Sera

Tell me ma, me ma,
I won't be home for tea
we're going to Italy
Tell me ma, me ma

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rin77xtBpYw

SharonG

Carolyn, that's where i get my violet creams. Oh, I think either the Queen Mother or the Queen is fond of them too. I'm sure I read that somewhere. Let me go find my tiara now

latedaytraveler

Hi Miss Prism,

You recalled: “My Yorkshire grandma used to serve cold meats for tea or what she called savoury ducks or what. Would call faggots.”

While passing through the town of Bridgnorth in Shropshire, we noticed a tidy little butcher shop which featured “faggots” in the window. I think at £.49 each.

Not sure what they were….

MissPrism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food
There you go. I notice that the article says that in the North of England they are called ducks or savoury ducks. I was friendly with a Welsh farmer's daughter. When her father killed a pig, her mother would send her a batch of faggots. They were delicious. They look like a rather large meatball.

MissPrism

Whoops this is the correct page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food)

lizzie_in_a_kayak

I seem to have been misunderstood. I know that "high tea" is not snooty by definition, it's just that my limited research only found places listed that were at hotels, many with long reservation lists and dress codes ... since that's not the vibe I was looking for, I opted to skip this.

I wanted a full tea as I am not a late supper person and would have preferred a primary meal at 5 PM and a snack at 7 or 8 and thought a full afternoon tea service would fulfill this. My mother often spoke of the afternoon tea she would have with her grandmother (who was English).

Since it was not an easy thing to find, I assumed it was not really a London thing or simply not in vogue any longer. I can make my own sandwiches, pick up some pastries and brew a pot of tea at home - I was just hoping to see someone else do it, maybe we'd learn something. The Fortnum & Mason tea was very nice and I know they also had a full afternoon tea service with sandwiches, I could have gone back there. The salon was very nice, not overly formal (though very low ceilings that made me a little claustrophobic when I stood up).

bilboburgler

At school we had "Brain's Faggots" tasted like meat balls

thursdaysd

Ah, were you searching for high tea or afternoon tea? This is where I go for afternoon tea (unless I just get a scone with clotted cream at the V&A) - http://www.hrp.org.uk/Resources/KP-O...n-tea-2014.pdf

carolyn

Lizzie, I repeat this until it is boring, but google Richoux Tea Rooms and look at their menu for afternoon tea, and I think you will find what you are looking for. There are three locations, one on Picadilly quite close to Fortnum & Mason, one on South Audley Street, and one across the street and up a little from Harrod's. The shops are charming and serve breakfast and lunch as well as tea. We get the Tea for Two selection that consists of the tiered tray with little sandwiches; scones, clotted cream, and jam; fruitcake; and a pot of tea each. Then when you finish the food, you go to the glass case in the front and choose from a large selection of dessert choices. (We try not to leave nose or fingerprints on the case.)

TDudette

Nice trip trip, lizzie_in_a_kayak. I'll be there in April and found many more things to add to my list. Thanks!

I'm looking into passes and hope to take busses and trains in order to be outside. Did your pass cover busses? Thanks.

ParisAmsterdam

I enjoyed your report immensely... thanks for taking the time to share your experiences!

SharonG

Spent the day in London a few years ago, took the train from Paris. Ended it in Richoux Tea Rooms where we were filled to the brim. Lovely.

LCBoniti

I never, ever tire of London trip reports. Thank you for another lovely one to add to my file.

TPAYT

Your excellent details will help many of us who are planning to Visit London---especially the chocolate lovers!

Boveney

Late coming to this but thank you for a lovely ( and useful) account of a lovely trip. What a great theme. I live in London and you have given me ideas for places to explore. You did a magnificent job of planning - I am glad you noted that the buses are worth tackling. I always urge visitors to try the bus but everyone gets fixated on the underground. Anyway a lot of fun to read of your and your mother's London adventure.

Boveney

As an addendum to the above: yesterday's Evening Standard has a little article on London bus routes which cites the No.22 from Putney to Picadilly as the best for visiting chocolate shops as it passes 14, including Artisan du chocolat, Charbonnel et Walker, Fortnum & Mason and La Maison du Chocolat.