OK,OK, you can't have tea at Buckingham Palace with Queen Alexandra. (She checked out many years ago, sadly.)
But don't lose heart. There's lots of other venues to wet your whistle. First we have to go shopping to work up an appetite.
A shopping trip to London would not be complete without a trip to Harrods. Unless you own your personal oil field, you likely won't make any major purchases here. But they do have some neat little gifts, such as a pair of monogrammed gloves or something from the food hall. Make sure to get a Harrods bag to make all your friends at home jealous.
Other fun places to shop include:
(1) Hamley's toy store on Regent Street. It's perfect for boys of all ages.
(2) Dickins and Jones also on Regent. I bought some ties there and got great service.
(3) Hatchard's bookshop on Piccadilly. It's a booklover's paradise.
(4) Fortnum and Mason (next door to Hatchard's). The funkiest grocery store I've ever seen. How many of the checkout clerks in your supermarket wear swallowtail coats?
(5) Shelly's Shoes. My daughter lives in her Shelly platforms and Doc Martens she got at great prices here.
(6) Reject China Shops. Don't even ask.
Now, after all that pushing and shoving you're looking for a little liquid refreshment. The best suggestion I could give is to try Richoux. There's one right across Brompton Road from Harrods and another on Piccadilly neear Fortnum and Mason. The one near Harrods looks like something out of "The Great Gatsby" but they have a copious high tea platter that serves two. An extra pot of tea and you're all set to treat your significant other.
Of course If a pub is more your style, I can suggest a few to try:
(1) Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. It has a sign outside saying "Rebuilt 1667." Samuel Johnson and Dickens were regulars here. It's a bit touristy but the ale is good.
(2) The Swan on Bayswater Road. It has good food and is always a busy spot.
(3) The Leinster Arms on Leinster Terrace. This neighborhood pub was near my hotel. It's friendly and comfortable.
This page last modified on June 19, 2001.