Tea at Downton Abbey

 Are you a Downton Abbey addict too? Who is not enthralled?
 

 Have you considered the three Downton sisters fit the classic sibling trio parfaitment?
 

 Eldest daughter, Lady Mary, of whom much is expected, is bossy, a tad arrogant and the most privaledged of the three.
 

 Middle daughter, Lady Edith is certainly neglected. Her parents have chosen her to look after them when they're old, but Edith has other ideas...ahem
 

 Youngest daughter, Lady Sybil is wild, free and tempted to cavort with the household Socialist chauffeur, Branston - typically naughty. By the way, did you know the British version of DA is longer? You can watch the original uncut version on Amazon.
 

 But on to other things like tea in London - I'll be there 3 days in March and much ground must be covered. I'm fond of Tea & Cake/London, though I waited till I got home to order it...silly me.
 

More than 70 tea salons in mouth-watering photos + vital info. I haven't been to Peggy Porschen's Parlour at 116 Ebury Street, Belgavia SW1. Have you?
 

 I just finished cover artwork for Peggy's newest book, Boutique Baking, out in the Spring.

A few preparatory doodles.

 My other favorite go-to guide for London is, Shop Image Graphics In London.
 

 Design has to play a part where you go in London doesn't it?

 Peyton and Byrne never disappoints for ultimate Englishness both visually and taste bud-wise.
 

 Thank you PBer Karen for sending me a shot of menu art I did for Maison Blanc patisseries.
 

 Do you long to immerse yourself in Downton Abbeyness? Just hang out in front of Fortnum and Mason's windows. Or better yet go inside and pretend to be a Duchess.
 

 My fav go-to gouter/snack in London is eaten sitting on a bench not in a fancy tea salon. To-die-for Ottolenghi take-away lemon/passionfruit tarts...sigh
 

Art by ?

I wish I knew where I shot this picture in London, but very adorbs no?

Bon Weekend PBers!

Ottolenghi Passion Fruit Tart Meringue!

Lemon weekend torture for you. The twice annual trip to Ottolenghi (in the Guardian)for the superb passion fruit meringue tart is an essential.
Get out at tube stop, High Street Kensington, cross the road (carefully), seek out the almost hidden passage Kensington Church Walk. Turn right, walk to the end of the road to #1 Holland Street et voila! Heaven awaits.

Of course one must make a pretense of eating something sensible before dessert...

And there is certainly a plethora of sensible food here...

La salade.
 

TA-DA!

This time I got as well the lemon marscaponi tart as well. It was unctously lemony with sugar as a low note thank goodness.

At last, la piece de resistance! This tart does not disappoint. The topping is just the right amount of sweetness with exactly the right texture - not crunchy as you might expect with the toasty look of the meringue. Just enough sugar to contrast the very tart custard below.

I'm salivating just attempting to describe this tart's perfection. The heights have been reached.

I'm a disgrace when it comes to crust :(

But calories have been saved is the positive take on this loss. Still, can one truly experience inner meringuenese (if there is such a thing) by skipping the crust? Perhaps not.

Later I met up with Karen of the delightful Pas Grand Chose. I'm addicted to her book reviews almost as much as tarte citron. We stop at Maison blanc to view my menu artwork.

Fortunately there are no meringue tarts on the premises.

In the evening at Piccadilly Prete a Mange for another sensible salad (balance is key) this lemony/gingerbread/cheesecake layered concoction beckons. The spoon must dive deep and then stir things - you feel you've had a hand in the making of it don't you?

This morning a friend mentioned her favorite toffee at Fortnum and Mason. Naturalement I must researche.
 

Somehow I resisted the toffee and instead went looking for lemon meringue flavors.
Fortunately there were none.
The club's lemony cat, Squeak, is guarding my seat at breakfast so I'll go down and start the day.
Do more lemon tarts await?

BONJOUR LEMON ANYTHING!

What 2 Eat in London?

I'll have four days in London during my Paris trip... What to eat? Starting the day with a proper English breakfast sets you up perfectly. You could almost eat nothing until tea time... I love the food served in the streets in London... All you need is a 'fiver' and you can eat superbly at Covent Garden...

Or Borough Market...

The classic fish n' chips - a must-do this trip

I've been going to Food For Thought for years - it offers balance to...

 Ottolenghi's divine passion fruit meringue tart.

However did I miss Ottolenghi's Lemon tart? This oversight must be remedied a toute a suite.

Stopping in at Sketch Tea Parlor is another repeat not-to-be-missed - perhaps the best tea salon in the world!

Faux cakes at Liberty's plus a stop at Fortnum & Mason are essential browsing.

Finally Gelato at Selfridges. Where should I eat during my 4 days in London pray tell.
BONJOUR LONDON EATS!

Fortnum and Mason Xmas Windows?

Here's a London Xmas mystery for you to solve.
When I saw the windows at Fortnum and Mason in October I was puzzled.
I went inside and asked the liveried doorman if these mushroomie, underworld, Hobbit-esque window decorations were for Halloween?
I was assured these were the Christmas windows!?
What?

Is it possible?

Mustrooms and moss + British jams..?

Giant acorns + tiny lamps...

Champagne amidst the leaves - this looks a tad Christmasy...

But silver champagne glasses full of green moss? Huh?

Champagne and macarons, contact me, 9" x 11"Please say it isn't so!

I can live with a Beefeater chess set - what a perfect Xmas gift.

Burgundy velvet slippers in the hay? Hmm...

French parfums amongst the moss..? non non non!

Mustard under glass - is this a vision from the latest, darkest Harry Potter movie? Please tell me someone was pulling my leg.

This can NOT be Christmas at F n' M in Piccadilly.

Doesn't one deserve a bit of dessert after that?

BONJOUR FORTNUM and MASON!