For Valentine’s Day I booked Mr P and I a reservation at Fortnum & Mason in their St James’s Restaurant for high tea. As far as I understand, Fortnum & Mason is really the only place in London that does high tea (though let me know if I am wrong). So, what’s the difference between high tea and afternoon tea? Basically instead of the finger sandwiches you get at afternoon tea, you get a small hot meal. Cool, right?
First, a little bit about Fortnum’s. It is truly a fab place for a foodie or a fashionista. It has history of placating hard-to-please housewives with all manner of exotic and specialty goodies since 1707! Fortnum’s are the creator of the scotch egg (blah 
) and were the first to stock Heinz baked beans. To my American friends, this is quite a coup, because today Heinz baked beans are an absolute staple here UK (much to my chagrin). In addition, they have a number of Royal Warrants, including that of Her Royal Housewife and her consort, Mr P. So, as you can fathom, F&M is really a place should not be missed when it comes to taking tea.
) and were the first to stock Heinz baked beans. To my American friends, this is quite a coup, because today Heinz baked beans are an absolute staple here UK (much to my chagrin). In addition, they have a number of Royal Warrants, including that of Her Royal Housewife and her consort, Mr P. So, as you can fathom, F&M is really a place should not be missed when it comes to taking tea.So, on first impressions of the St James’s Restaurant, I must admit, it does lack the impossible glamour of tea at the Ritz or Claridges. It really is hard to compare with that. This was much more understated and had a quiet elegance to it. Mr P and I were seated at a beautifully set table and browsed Le Menu 
. Oh, how I love to look at menus…
. Oh, how I love to look at menus…
It all started with our tea–Mr P chose the house blend. It had a bit of an odd colour, but it was very pleasant. The waiter also brought us some little nibbles which included cheesy bread sticks and olive bread sticks, some fritatta and salmon toasts. Mr P and I really liked the salmon spread on toast with the roe on it. Those were pretty yummy.
For our savoury meal, we both decided on the toasted English muffin (which was quite large for a muffin) with two poached eggs, smoked salmon and Hollandaise sauce. That was lovely. I really preferred this to finger sandwiches, which, quite frankly, are never all that memorable. It was nice to have a little meal instead.
Next were the scones with clotted cream and jam. I have a little complaint here. There were four scones, two plain and two with fruit. They were exceptionally tiny, and strangely, they came with a big jar of strawberry jam and a big pot of clotted cream. Unlike the Ritz and Claridges, we were not offered more. That kinda sucked. I like seconds, as you well know, and sometimes thirds. I adore the feeling of generosity and abundance at those institutions, and I felt that was a bit lacking at F&M.
And now, for my favorite part: the deserts. For the desert part of the high tea, there were two jam biscuits (good, but not as good as my anise seed ones), two slices of date and walnut loaf (okay) and two warm lemon madeleines (very nice). Then a waiter came by and allowed Mr P and I to choose two additional goodies from a selection on his tray. Between us, we chose a very rich heart-shaped sacher torte, a large and very cute French fancy, a lemon and lavender cheesecake with a white chocolate embossed top, and a plum and almond tart. These little cakes are where F&M excels among the bigger institutions like the Ritz and Claridges. As a whole, these were definitely much better cakes. I just wished they offered us more (even though I was pleasantly full, I know I could have stuffed in another cake or two).
After tea at Fortnum’s we had a long car ride home, but we had happy bellies and we had each other’s company (and a box of Laduree–yes, I do know how horrid I am, but it’s right across the street, okay?). I couldn’t want for anything else for Valentine’s Day.
What did you get up to on Valentine’s Day? Time to share with the class daaaaaahlings.
I spent a night out dining with friends on V. day! I watched the video of the restaurant, the pale green colour reminds me of Tiffany, haha
wow gal..you know how to enjoy the life…I wonder what would be served after high tea. Or since a hot meal is served in the high tea, there would be no dinner at all? I guess you two went directly to the dessert after high tea, yeah?
)
I am so jealous you went to my favorite tea place in the whole world. Seriously, there is nothing like Fortnum and Mason. I love their food halls too.
Glad you stuck your pinky fingers out. You had no other choice!
Oh my! This looks wonderful and I agree I would rather have a little meal any day of the week!
This is wonderful and I love English high tea. Especially the one at Goodwood Park Hotel.
Live it up darling…and you are doing it in style! Ah to sit back and be served high tea!! 'GREEN' am I!!
HUGGGGGGGGGGGS!!
Fortnum and Mason is great but those treats from Laduree – I envy you a bit
… I miss London … Oh well 
I went for a lovely walk along the beach … it was so freezing cold but so worth it and so relaxing 
xxx
Just like Kenny, I watched the Fortnum & Mason retaurant video – so posh! The salmon toast and the smoked salmon benedict look delish, but the piece de resistance is really that dessert platter! But the real question is, what were you wearing?
High tea at Fortnum & Mason looks exquisite! Absolutely exquisite!
I spent V day at home with my lobster tails. hehehe… Yum!!! Those desserts look really good.
Oh wow that looks really yummy HH. I didn't do anything romantic like this, we had a beautiful lunch and then we had to get ready to travel to the concert…..
xxx
I thought the Ritz did high tea. If memory serves me right. You and Mr P are definitely living and loving it up big time! Hmmmmmm.
I am so glad that you take us with you when you go to Afternoon and High Tea! Our Ritz quit serving Afternoon Tea. We have a tiny Brittish shop that is close just around the corner where we can go, but it is nothing fancy. I want that chocolate heart!
For Valentines'd Day we stayed in and I grilled some good steaks and we had crab legs. I wanted to avoid the busy restaurants here during tourist season! And I grill a better steak at a great price!
I seem to remember from my reading that high tea takes the place of supper. And it looks pretty much like it did.
Yummee, HH! How was the lavender cheesecake (in that I did a post today on cooking with lavender)?
The first tea I ever had in London was at Browns. The last tea was a couple years ago…at the Barclay.
Once in a while we stop for tea in NYC. Doesn't hold a candle to London, though.
Sounds fabulous!! Of course, I'm not surprised. YOu know how to do it in style.
My husband and I took a lovely walk in the park with our dog, then made a simple dinner of roast chicken and ate chocolate for dessert. Perfect!
I can't think of a lovelier way to celebrate Valentine's Day! Everything sounds wonderful – but shame on them for not offering more scones. I stayed home and stuffed my face with spice cake. XO
Love those pix & what a concidence… I just had tea too, with my hubby but I'd Afternoon Tea @ the Four Seasons Hotel. Is it expensive to have tea @ F&M?
Check out what I ate @ Afternoon Tea @ Four Seasons Singapore!
Happy belated V-Day!
You guys just seem like such a cute couple!
I've never seen an English muffin served at high tea in the US. Hilarious.
Well I must admit that I never knew the difference between high tea and afternoon tea, thank you for letting this silly commoner know!
The Fortnum & Mason restaurant sounds divine and your food looks delicious! You live quite the life HH!! Glad you had a wonderful time with your hubby.
My man stuffed my face all day with a variety of deliciously prepared meals from morning through night…I'm still full!!
Hugs,
Karyn
It sounds like Mr P certainly knows the way to your heart:D
This sounds like a wonderful high tea experience. I think the scones look really fluffy and nice, but the desserts look gorgeous!
How wonderful – I've always wanted to do tea at F&M.
What a wonderful way to spend V-day!
When deliciousness meet love everything turns beautiful:)
We have a great time with you and Mr.P at Fortnum & Mason.
May our beloved daaaaaahling always enjoy such blessed moments of love!
Love Always.
Sounds like an absolutely delightful day Darling! I'd have definitely wanted more of the cakes too.
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Um, can't remember what we did on Valentine's day (two kids in tow means probably nothing very romantic
I just love how you roll, Girl:) Thanks for the delicious details of your Valentine's Day High Tea experience. I feel like I was actually there! I am soo jealous of the Laduree macaroons as well – they are amaaaazing!
lovely way to spend valentine's day! The smoked salmon looks delicious – now I know what I am having for breakfast!
I'm so jealous! Just look at all those lovely bake you guys were having. I'll never had enough of those, neither are you… daaahling!
Gorgeous tempting clicks!
That sounds like such a fun time–except for when they stiffed you on the biscuits.
I wonder what a Texas high tea would be like?
Wow looks like you had a great time! I cannot tell you how much I love clotted cream. It's the best stuff on earth!
For Valentine's Day I made a delicious steak dinner…yum!
I love, love english muffins with smoked salmon and poached eggs. Looks incredible!
Darling HH thank you for taking us along on your mini holidays. One of us has to have a nice time and I'm glad it is you, enjoy your life darling. I spent V day and night taking care of my daddy so his care taker can go out and celebrate the day!!! No romance for me, may be next year. Darling have a marvellous weekend.
That looks like so much fun!
How fun! Looks tasty!
I celebrated my fiftieth birthday on Valentines day, (and yet I digress);you see my dear lady, I am a bit of an afternoon tea enthusiast with having served many an afternoon tea guest in my home, over the years;slightly over 2500, but who's counting)!? ~ Just a wee bit of trivia from my guestbooks darling!..,
You could say, with the regailing of this account of you and hubby, enjoying Valentines high tea,( or rather shall I say, the illustrious, "Mr P."; this account of high tea and it's epicurious delights thereof, (along with your "slightly naughty noshings" of Laduree delights enroute home, "truly takes the cake" daahling!
As always, when I visit your blog, I am in either "afternoon tea heaven" or chuckling the whole way through some "delirious adventure with sheer delight"!.., Well done!
Cheerio and hugs from Wanda Lee @ THe Plumed Pen (and assorted blogs).
I love Fortnum & Mason, especially the winding staircase and chandeliers, because it makes me feel as though I am on a filmset!
I didn't know they served high tea, wouldn't mind sampling this myself.
Mmmm, this all sounds good to me. We didn't quite make it to F and M when we were in London in December, but I do want to go on another visit. We managed afternoon tea at Liberty on Boxing Day, which was nice but not all that impressive. We spent Valentine's Day evening driving back from The Netherlands in the snow…
I love tea parties and wish I had a tray of those desserts right now! I visited friends in Reno and we cooked dinner for our guys. It was nice but it wasn't High Tea at Fortnum and Mason.
I wish American's liked tea more. I love having a cup of tea in the afternoon and having a High Tea would be wonderful. Those desserts looked incredible. Yum!