[CUP]
Classic elegance in an afternoon tea

A three-tiered afternoon tea stand at Fortnum & Mason in London. By Ser Myo-ja

LONDON - As world leaders gathered for the G-20 summit last week, I was able to find time to sit down for afternoon tea one day because everyone in Seoul was asleep and I was free from any immediate deadlines.

That sunny Wednesday afternoon I indulged in a traditional afternoon tea at St. James’s Restaurant on the top floor of the legendary gourmet food emporium Fortnum & Mason, where a reservation is always recommended.

I chose a tea without champagne (30 British pounds or $44.46), and a beautiful three-tiered stand arrived.

Cheese and potato tartlets, salmon with dill butter and a variation of four mini sandwiches filled the bottom tier.

Fortnum & Mason

On the middle tier, I found two scones - one plain and one with fruit - served with Fortnum & Mason’s famous strawberry preserve and clotted cream. These small British quick breads tasted like heaven, and were nothing like the dry, tasteless scones commonly found at Starbucks. The scones were moist and warm, while the clotted cream and jam were delicately sweet. I felt a bit guilty topping my scones with too much cream, but the taste was just irresistible.

I was then presented with a beautiful tray of pastries, and chose an eclair and a raspberry tart to round out my afternoon tea set.

My tea of choice was Darjeeling Broken Orange Pekoe. The loose tea leaves were served in a teapot, and I had about three incredibly pleasant cups. The tea was not too strong nor mild, and erased my fatigue.

Situated inside the more than 300-year-old building, the venue is the essence of classic elegance. Live piano music was being played and I could smell the fragrance of lilies wafting over the room. Every single second of my afternoon tea experience was delightful, and I felt as though I had become a queen for a day. I am not a big fan of tradition, but if afternoon tea were what tradition is about then maybe I could become a convert of sorts.

There were many memorable moments on this trip: witnessing world leaders’ efforts to fight the global financial crisis, observing anti-capitalist demonstrations, visiting Victoria and Albert museum and window shopping on Bond Street. But my afternoon tea is the one thing I will never forget.

By Ser Myo-ja Staff Reporter [myoja@joongang.co.kr]

Fortnum & Mason

Location: 181 Piccadilly, London, W1, United Kingdom.

Hours: Afternoon tea from 2 to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Telephone: 44 20 7734 8040