This idea is from London WeekendNotes for Tuesday the 2nd of February 2010. For more recent ideas subscribe here.

One of the best (and fanciest) places for afternoon tea in London is in Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly. Head up through the four floors of food, sweets, and cookware to the St. James restaurant on the fourth floor for champagne and as many cucumber sandwiches as you can eat.

The menu changes with the different seasons, but count on a selection of traditional miniature sandwiches and scones and a plate of small cakes and tarts to finish. The tea menu itself has twenty-two choices, but a word with the restaurant manager will allow you to sample any of the 130 teas available for sale in the department store. There is also a select champagne menu.

Delicate Fortnum & Mason china and silver place settings make the atmosphere here as haute as you can wish, but don't worry about dressing to the nines (although jeans might be out of place). Spend an afternoon here when you need an excuse for a special occasion.

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