So we are having our GNO on Saturday and watching the finale as a group (someone has the dvd).
We are going to have themed Downton Abbey food. Anyone want to help me with ideas?
I suggested this at the last GNO after having a bit too much vino and now I’m in charge…why do I do these things?
I’m also thinking about having everyone pick a number and the corresponding card will be that character and we can tape it on their back. They will have to guess who they are by the way people talk to them.
I’ve been to some British-themed tea parties (royal, Downton Abbey) and the menu usually includes scones with clotted cream (Devonshire cream). And cucumber tea sandwiches.
When Prince William and Kate got married, my S was in HS and had a bunch of guys over for a sleepover. They decided to have a wedding watch party and have “fancy food”. It was hilarious to see what they considered fancy. I think Little Debbie Zebra cakes were on the menu.
Or heading over to the nearest Ritz Carlton for. I honestly found almost all of the teas I had in the UK disappointing as compared to the ones served at upscale American hotels and the like. Including the $100 version at Claridges. The sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, pastries … None of them were as good as the ones served at, say, the Langham in Pasadena.
I think Devonshire cream sounds better than clotted cream, and it really is delicious! Apparently, because of fat content it would be classified as butter in the U.S. And, in addition to the Langham in Pasadena that @nottelling mentioned, there’s a wonderful place called the Rose Tree Cottage there, that serves a wonderful tea and the best scones I’ve ever had!
When we were in Ireland, the selection of cream in the grocery store was amazing. This was just a chain store, Tesco, in a small town, Ennis. A section 4-5 feet wide, taking up all six shelves in the dairy section was for “regular” cream. A separate section had the sweetened dessert cream. Goose fat and other lovelies were to the side as well. Strangely I don’t recall seeing any super huge people!
I’ll eat scones and cream any time of day or night! But if you want an an evening menu, then you’d better get Mrs. Patmore and Daisy busy in the kitchen. I watched the “More Manners” show from Sunday, and they served dinner at 8:30 pm.
I guess it depends if you want a full sit-down dinner or not. I found this website that has lots of recipes:
“I honestly found almost all of the teas I had in the UK disappointing as compared to the ones served at upscale American hotels and the like. Including the $100 version at Claridges. The sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, pastries”
Sandwiches, scones, and pastries sounds more like the Afternoon Tea of the British upper classes rather than High Tea. In Britain, High Tea is more of a hearty meal primarily enjoyed by the working classes rather than the Lord and Lady upstairs.
Oh dear Lord, we are watching it, but I cringe every time John Travolta comes on. It’s about the worst acting job I’ve ever seen by a middle-aged wanna-be who’s had way too much plastic surgery done. Really, it gives me the creeps, and I just can’t unsee his face.