Fortnum & Mason
Spotted Dick
Eccles Cake
Fruit Scone, Plain Scone
Carrot Cake
Strawberries and Cream Cronut
Treacle Tart
Coffee Éclair
Mini Red Velvet Cupcake
Jammie Dodger Cupcake
Knowing full well that even an early arrival for the Queue at Wimbledon was likely to be met by an interminable wait it was with provisions packed after a 4am run that I set my GPS to The All England Club and although traffic proved fluid before the Monday morning rush it was still over the course of several hours on a field of grass that I enjoyed my bounty from Fortnum & Mason, a piece of British history housed in Picadilly for over three-hundred years. Formerly a department store and still harboring floors of fanciful furnishings amidst several restaurants atop a market of gourmet delights it was just before closing the night prior that I’d procured some ten sweet selections and although a touch of sog had begun to set into the well layered cronut as well as an espresso rich éclair each of the remaining items would prove far better than that of a typical grocer, the pre-packaged raisin sponge cake and rich treacle tart even managing to impress on the level of many restaurant quality desserts. Truly a gourmet’s paradise with no shortage of cheese, meat, produce, or grain yet far scaled back from the madness of Harrod’s acclaimed ‘Food Hall’ suffice it to say that the focus at Fortnum & Mason is entirely on quality and although my agenda only allowed for one more visit to the store’s “Parlour” on the following day I only wish I’d have had the knowledge then that I do now as I’d have saved serious coin with more frequent visits in place of a few lackluster meals to follow, not to mention how I’d have enjoyed an Eccles cake or a Jammie Dodger over anything served on my long-delayed flight home.
RECOMMENDED: Treacle Tart, Eccles Cake, Spotted Dick, and pretty much anything quintessentially British – though the scones proved far better fresh from the oven at The Parlour with jam and clotted cream.
AVOID: Obviously I knew that choux and laminated pastry were likely to suffer but in reality I simply could not resist and with great flavor in each it was only the overly frosted carrot cake that proved truly disappointing – not one bit savory, just very sweet.
TIP: Flanked by Foie Gras opponents during both of my visits and each time I walked by I’d advise simply nodding and taking their pamphlet, in the end the argument I saw ensue with a woman who seemed to be minding her own business simply is not worth the time.
BONUS TIP: Check the discount racks for gifts or gourmet grub as several types of non-perishable teas and jams plus prepackaged cookies and puddings are offered for as much as 70% off, the only Spotted Dick I’d see in the city purchased at half price.
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/