It used to be said that British food wasn’t the best, but I have always been quite taken with it, and with Jamie Oliver and Hugh F.W. and all of the unsung growers and cooks making fresh, local, and organic much more common, it should only get better and better. Of course, I admit that I am biased and that I haven’t traveled extensively. Nor do I live in a particularly rich area for variety or deep consciousness about food. It is a wish that I send out into the universe fairly often that Williamsburg might get a vegetarian restaurant….even a place to get a fair-trade, organic cup of coffee would be a nice beginning.
But this post is about what I enjoyed eating whilst I was in Britain a few years ago. And again, these are just snapshots. I am not a good food photographer like some people I know, but it has been fun to gather these and edit them this week, before I inundate you with more lush, green landscape photos and wrap up my retrospective.
Just a store-bought packaged cake (and some hard cider!), but as cake is one of my favorite words and favorite things in this world, I found much to enjoy about it. And I couldn’t ask for a nicer perch to savor it than the windowseat in my castle kitchen.
A few photos from the one “fancy” tea I partook of. Tho’ both the company and the setting were delightful, my favorite teas are more hearty and homespun. But there was a wedding going on at the same time we were taking our tea and it was lovely to watch the happy people (and I got to see my first fascinator!). The best part was the prelude to the tea, when I first dallied and then ran down Binsey, quickly climbed the stile, nipped into my friend’s waiting car and hurriedly changed from climbing dress to manor-house tea-party dress in a matter of minutes. It was exhilarating and, somehow, James Bondish, and helped me to settle down to proper “lady” behavior at our fine tea table.
The local pub where we enjoyed a simple, delicious meal one evening at the corner booth with a real fire burning merrily in the grate.
An unlovely photograph perhaps…but the soup was so wonderful and that view! I wanted to remember how it felt sip a warm cup of soup and look upon the Thames.
It is so easy to find really good vegetarian food in Britain. Food that celebrates its veggie-ness and is not just a meatless version of something else. The variety and color and substantial-ness of the offerings that we found in this Edinburgh diner were so nourishing…to our souls and our bodies. Lucky students who have this place so close, everyday.
And back to our castle…imagine taking a tour around cold castle rooms for a few hours until you were filled up with wonder and chilled to the bone and when you went through the door that was the “way out”, you looked down upon this….
Heaven.
We sat at the table right next to the huge fire place, and a few feet from this…
I do apologize for the blur…was it some leftover shivers? Or my wonder at the 1-2-3-4 (count them!) cakes to choose from….the well-stocked shelves of crockery…the fresh flowers…the tea and coffee waiting to be poured….
One of my pet peeves about my dear country is that they are always separating the salad from the rest of the meal. Why do they do that? And this is what I love about so many meals in Britain….everything arranged happily and cosily together on a plate (just like home) and a pot of tea near-to-hand.
(Baked potato with cheese and two salads)
My first Victoria Sponge. More tea. Still in heaven.
I love English cakes…frosting on top and middle, but the sides humble and crumby….or perhaps no frosting at all, just jam and some sprinkled sugar. We don’t really do that so much here, tho’ I am going to give it a go. I love a frosted-all-over cake for birthdays, but perhaps I can justify more cake-baking if they are less indulgent and more homey and simple? I shall keep you posted.
The delights of travel…how I hope to enjoy them again in the future. I have my hopes set on some farmhouse B&Bs and a vegetarian hotel in the Lake District, for a start…
Heather June 2, 2011 at 3:52 am
I have been meaning to make scones soon – you have so inspired me with this post! And your personal style is so lovely to see in that last photo Lesley!
sarah June 2, 2011 at 8:20 am
Oh, how my mouth is watering! And I love your photographs so much.
coco June 2, 2011 at 11:24 am
your blog is beautiful and yammy food!
Dori June 2, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Oh… I feel the urge to bake scones coming on! Such delicious photos of delicious things, Lesley! Yum! The first photo of the Women’s Institute Tea banner made me smile. Mom and I were just talking last week about the Women’s Institute after reading a delightful article in the British Country Living. We need something like the W.I. here!
Dinahsoar June 2, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Every bit of that food looked wonderful to me…yummy yummy. About the salads here–must have something to do with them/it being considered a ‘course’ in a meal, versus a side dish. I prefer to eat my salad with my meal too. When I eat it as a separate course by the time I get my entree I am often full.
Lynn June 3, 2011 at 5:07 am
Oh, how I am enjoying this trip down travel memory lane – thank you so much for sharing it with us, Lesley! xoxo
melissa June 6, 2011 at 12:42 am
Oh gracious me…what a lovely post. And I LOVE cake as well. 🙂
coco June 8, 2011 at 10:46 pm
hi, I saw your commnet on rice ball.
Where do you live? If you live in USA, there is a japanese rice, NISHIKI rice, you can find at Kroger, Walmart(probably) or Oriental store. Japanese rice has more moisture that is why I can make into ball shape. anyway, its not difficult. once you cook rice, you make it into ball shape by hand. If you still like to see how, I may do that on my post sometimes.
FrenchGardenHouse June 9, 2011 at 3:40 pm
oh, instead of making me hungry, this posts makes me yearn for England. The weather {when it’s good} is the best in spring anywhere, the castles, the pubs, the green hills, the sheep, the , well, everything English. I fell in love in a big way with England and Scotland, and would love to GO again. xo Lidy