The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason
Orange Marmalade Sample
Warm Scones, Clotted cream, Preserves
The Original Dusty Road – Coffee and Chocolate Ice Creams, Butterscotch Sauce, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Flakes, Chocolate Macaron
Sated but not stuffed after lunch in Bray it was to shopping that I turned to pass the time before dinner and again wandering into Fortnum & Mason to peruse men’s furnishings it suddenly occurred to me I’d read something about an ice cream shop within the store’s confines, a quick consultation of the wall-mounted map leading me to The Parlour Large in size and open in design with stools set to a center island flanked by flowered laminate tables it was by friendly smiles from a team of three that I was greeted and opting for booth over barstool I was no sooner seated than a sample arrived, the bitter-sweet tang of icy orange marmalade topping a tiny cone. Obviously here for the frozen things but unable to resist a list of Fortnum’s other fanciful foods it was with the assurance that scones would be baked to order that my midday snack continued and undoubtedly the best of the trip with pockets of sugar amidst pools of butter things only improved with the addition of thick, sweetened cream and a smear of strawberry. Admittedly torn on the list of sundaes it was eventually to my server that I turned and with suggestions of Knickerbocker Glory versus The Original Dusty Road I selected the later – the icecream itself a bit less rich than much of the artisan options in America but the sauces and accoutrements beyond reproach…the whipped cream particularly something I’d have gladly eaten from similar sized bowl.
RECOMMENDED: The Scones, anything with whipped cream.
AVOID: While not particularly ‘bad’ the ice cream simply doesn’t stand up to much of what is available at US Scoop shops and restaurants in 2014.
TIP: Opening at 10:00am and apparently often filled with patrons an off-hours visit or reservation is recommended.
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/c-157-ice-cream-parlour-london-the-parlour-restaurant.aspx
