I wonder if she'll be in the crowd today at Will and Kate's nuptials? Patricia Routledge, who played Mrs. Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet), one of my favorite sitcom characters ever, from Britain's Keeping Up Appearances. Surely this will top luxury cruising on the QE2 and put that Lydia Hawksworth in her place once and for all.
If not, she should be. After all, as she says, it was only an accident of birth she wasn't born someone more important.
Perhaps she and Emmet could do a duet to entertain the crowd. I'm sure he'd love that. It always brings the over seventies to their feet.
The royal fever is sweeping America. Even the library has caught it.
Shall we go to New York City's Tea & Sympathy in spirit to toast Will and Kate? Any excuse to revisit memories there and meals eaten by myself and dear mates, including Kristin who pens the poetry blog Wordfall, and Jennifer who authors Heart Laundry and has a writer site.
How does a pot of fragrant blackberry tea sound? $4.50.
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (lentils, onions, carrots, celery, eggplant and parsnips), $14.95.
Cheese and onion pasty with a salad, $13.95.
Off of the dinner specials: mushrooms (shiitake, portabella and button) in a vegetarian gravy on grilled white toast, $8.50.
Cream tea anyone? Rosie Lee (half English Breakfast, half Earl Grey)...
with scones and clotted cream and strawberry jam, $10.
Rhubarb crumble in warm golden custard, $8.
Pineapple upside down cake, $5.
Sticky toffee pudding, $8. After ingesting such heavenly comfort food, I wondered, as Daisy asked Onlsow, "Do you think we'll be slimmer in the afterlife?"
Pop by Carry On Tea & Sympathy next door for cups that will be almost as nice as Hyacinth's Royal Doulton.
Congratulations! And as a poster I read reassured us, "Keep calm, Harry is still single."
I haven't been to Tea & Sympathy in ages!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like great fun.
I must make the effort and go back there. I think they have a fish n' chips place too.
Thanks Carol! It is great fun, and cheaper than an airline ticket to England! I do a lot of traveling through my taste buds.
ReplyDeleteA Salt & Battery is next door.
http://www.asaltandbattery.com/
I don't eat fish, so it would be a side of mushy peas and Magners cider for me.
I just loved Tea & Sympathy Catherine, like traveling back in time to a place of comfort. Thanks for sharing this with me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer. I always feel like I'm in someone's grandmother's kitchen here: the sugar bowls on the table, the floral tea cups, the comfort food. A good pot of tea can really do wonders for the soul. All feels right with the world whenever I've finished a meal here.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled on this older post! Really, you are my kinda girl (except that I'm vegetarian and not a lover of mushrooms). Though I began life in NY, I am now in Montana. But next time I get back there I'll have to go to Tea & Sympathy -- heard of it but never been. I will hope to bump into you, or maybe even Hyacinth! She turns up out here once in a while, while I'm driving with my husband: "Mind the pedestrian!" :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, thanks for the comment! I'd love to visit Montana one day.
ReplyDeleteWhenever a rainy day comes, I always say it's the perfect T&S day. Just good, comforting home cooking like someone's grandmother would make.
I admit it: I own the DVD set! My favorite episode is when Richard and Hyacinth go on Sheridan's friend's yacht (which turns out to be anything but) and Richard gets kitted out in sea men ware. We say "Mind the pedestrian" too. :-)