Fortnum & Mason, London

William Fortnum was a footman, Hugh Mason was his landlord. In 1707 the two collaborated to set up shop together and the rest is history. Quintessentially English, Quintessentially British, Fortnum & Mason is exquisite both inside and out.

With it's many foods, fruits, spices, and teas, Fortnum's is most famously a proper food hall. The store started due to William Fortnum's hobbying interest in being a grocer. Later, his grandson Charles would introduce more specialty items and luxury ready-made foods. Fortnum's is after all the inventor of the Scotch egg, a savory egg dish dating back almost 300 years! Obviously Fortnum's is where one might go to get their Christmas pudding.  And it's all about quality here, folks. Food lovers rejoice.

Six flights high, each floor seems to have its own personality to add to the story:

Basement - wine, cheese, chocolate, and charcuterie
Ground floor - tea, coffee, and confectionery
First floor - home goods, hampers*, china, glassware, ice in the Parlor, and the Candle room**
Second floor - dedicated to the ladies with jewelry, handbags, perfumes, hat making, and pampering rooms
Third floor - personal items and personalized items, including leather goods and accessories for the gents
Fourth floor - the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Tea salon

Not bad for a grocery market turned department store.

Though was Fortnum a mere footman, he held this position in the royal house of Queen Anne, no less. Shortly thereafter Fortnum's grandson, Charles, also served Royalty, Queen Charlotte. Needless to say, Fortnum's is entrenched in British Royal history. A royal family favorite.

Not only are the products themselves fancy smancy, but the store itself is a site to see. Decorated in marble and crystal and all things lovely, it's easy to feel a look-but-don't-touch mentality. Even from the outside just the window dressings themselves can gawk attention.

So, while in London, touring the sights, popping in and out of pubs, don't forget to soak it all in with a stop by this oldie but goodie. Located a stone's throw away from its humble beginnings in St. James's Market, the flagship store on Picadilly Street is a must see.

* Mind you, when we say hampers here, it means a picnic basket, not a basket where one might toss dirty garments.

** The Candle Room is iconic considering capital for the enterprise came when Fortnum the footman was selling the Royal family's discarded candles for re-use. Talk about any early renewables initiative! One we are all quite thankful for.

Dinner at Wiltons in London

Do you ever rustle your hands into your pockets and happen to come across something you didn't know was in there? It's one of my favorite things.

Well the other day my husband went to put on his winter Barbour and felt something in his pocket. Instinctively he pulled it out and we both took a look. We looked up at one another and just smiled. It was an old receipt from Wiltons in London. A momentary reminiscence.

Dinner at Wiltons is not something someone would quickly forget. The Oysters were so fresh that you could taste the Ocean. They were the perfect accompaniment to our bubbly champagne. Then there was the Crab appetizer and Lobster Bisque, followed by my delicious Sea Bass and my husband's classic Roasted Pheasant. We finished with some Port, Chocolate Molten Cake, and a Fruit tart. Yum, yum, and yum! Worth every pound...

Wiltons

55 Jermyn Street

London
just down the street from the Ritz

Shiner Birthday Beer

To celebrate its 106th birthday, Shiner has come out with a remarkable treat. They call it a chocolate stout, but really they should call it liquid birthday cake, because that's how it tastes. And smells. It's truly unbelievable. 

** Available only for a limited time **

Where to eat Indian Food in London

Located down a quiet, enduring side street off the busily buzzing corner of Picadilly and Regent Street, the restaurant seems to have been swallowed up by time (how fitting, considering the entrance is on Swallow Street). It's Harry Potter's Diagon Alley. So, don't expect door to door taxi service. To get inside, one must approach via a pedestrian only alley. Talk about old school. It's cool.

Veeraswamy was opened in 1926 by Edward Palmer, the great-grandson of an English soldier and an Indian princess, and is the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the United Kingdom.

The menu changes with seasonality, which is obvious from the the freshness of the dishes. That said, there is still an abundance of offerings, ranging from your usual Indian offerings to specialties of the house. But in short, the food is just delicious. Highly recommended.

Veeraswamy

99 Regent Street

Picadilly Circus, London