France, Italy, Spain--these are all countries that you expect to eat well in.  England? Eh, not so much. I like fish n' chips just as much as the next person; the best part of the Lenten season was dining at least once at the local, swanked out Long John Silvers. But 7 days of fish n' chips does not make for a stellar vacation.  With the dollar to pound ratio not in my favor as well, I thought I was going to subsist on Marks and Spencers ready-to-eat sandwiches.

You know that wonderful aspect of vacations where you don't to go into work and have the choice to do whatever you want with you time? I took full advantage of this by staying up late and outlining my meals for the next day with the help oh Yelp. I'm definitely one for foodie tourism, bypassing Buckingham Palace for a trip to Brick Lane (does anyone else find the Whitechapel tube station daunting and scary?).


Tenderly sweet scones were had, topped with clotted cream and preserves.  I had long heard about Hummingbird Bakery, having made some cupcakes from the sweet shop's cookbook.  The actual bakeshop in Notting Hill did not disappoint and was as trendy as the rest of the neighborhood.  It's a great spot for a first date or catching up with friends. I left the bakery with a couple of treats in beautiful packaging.

I still do not know why scones are so dense and dry in the United States.  Scones are more like biscuits, just not as buttery and tender.  This golden morsel was way tastier than any "scone" at Panera Bread or Starbucks.  Add some clotted cream and jam?  Perfection.


My favorite of the food offerings was the smoked salmon sandwiches.  My friend is vegetarian, so I got double the deliciousness out of the deal.


And let's not forget the tea. Tea with milk?  I'm now obsessed and carry on the tradition in my little apartment on those blessed lazy mornings.  My friend ordered the Earl Grey Blue Flowers, and there were actually tiny blooms in the pot.  Amazing.


I really could not have asked for a better scenery for my first experience with afternoon tea.  The Orangery proved to be a popular spot with tons of people milling around the tea salon and Kensington Palace next door.  I even sighted Joely Richardson enjoying the weather at the table next to me.  The ravens did not miss on the party either.  It's so eerie how many ravens are just hanging out in the park.