More Food Should be Served on Tiers

on August 22, 2009
in All Posts

Seriously!  It’s much more fun to eat dinner when it comes on tiers.

IMG_0720

My Husband is British — he moved to America when we was 16.  Whenever we see a British restaurant, we always feel compelled to check it out.  It’s like a little slice of home for the Husband. 

 

Shakespeare’s Fine English Tea Room was like a diamond in the rough!  Such great food — and reasonably priced, too.  Plus, my dinner was too cute for words:

 IMG_0721

I thought the Afternoon Tea platter was going to be small (ha!) so I started off with a cup of Leek and Potato Soup:

IMG_0717 And a Strongbow beer:

IMG_0715

And — of course — some snobby British tea.  Which the Husband served to me with a snobby pinkie finger in the air. 🙂

IMG_0709

Such cute dishes:

IMG_0708

Our tiered dinner was so amazing — I literally gasped when it was delivered to our table (the Husband and I each got our own tier).

 

The bottom tier featured fruit, a regular scone, and a raisin scone. I had the  regular scone and saved the other one for later:

IMG_0724

The middle tier featured a mini quiche, a side salad, two cucumber and cream cheese sammies and two egg sammies.  I’m ate the quiche, salad, and two cucumber sandwiches:

IMG_0723

The top tier was the BEST TIER!  It was the dessert tier.

IMG_0722

IMG_0730

IMG_0728

My tactic for not overdoing it on the dessert tier was to just have a bite of everything, and then only finish off the desserts that were really, really food.

 

Obviously, this was QUITE a lot of food, but it was such a dining experience and so fun.  🙂

 

Before dinner, we went to the movie theater:

IMG_0697

We saw District 9.  The Husband and I both give District 9 two thumbs up.  It was a great sci fi movie and very original, which is a hard thing to do in the genre.  If you’re into sci fi, I highly recommend it!  At the movie theater, I snacked on a plum that I snuck in my purse:

IMG_0693

I also posted this Operation Beautiful note in the bathroom at the theater.  It made me happy.  🙂

IMG_0698

Oof!  I’m going to digest on the couch.  I have a 8.0 miler planned for the morning.  🙂

 

Have you ever been to London? 

{ 48 comments }

 

  • Jocelyn August 22, 2009, 6:55 pm

    Oh my goodness! That looks so cute! I love the authentic dishes too! The dessert looks like HEAVEN! Glad you found this place! He must miss home! My entire family are all basically british (including parents) We always always order food from "back home" Not always the healthiest either..note crisps..and cadbury chocolate lol

  • VeggieGirl August 22, 2009, 7:03 pm

    Since I collect teacups and teapots, I'm all over the cute dining set! 🙂

  • kath August 22, 2009, 7:05 pm

    SO FUN!! I love little bites.

    LOVE British scones too!

    I spent 6 weeks studying at Cambridge in college. Loved that too 🙂

  • Heather August 22, 2009, 7:15 pm

    I have been to London and I love scones. I am now CRAVING a scone right now! Your dinner looks amazing.

  • caffeinatedcardio August 22, 2009, 7:21 pm

    So cute! I love dinners made of little bites and tastes!

  • Tay August 22, 2009, 7:22 pm

    What a great dessert tier attitude 🙂 Only eat what's really worth it! I went to England 2 years ago with my sister & grandparents. It was an awesome awesome trip and I'm dying to go back!!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) August 22, 2009, 7:27 pm

    I studied abroad in London last year! It was the best time ever. I didn't eat any tiered meals though…too poor 🙁 Your meal looks divine! and POSH, haha.

  • Elizabeth Jarrard August 22, 2009, 7:33 pm

    that is quite possibly the cutest dinner i have ever seen!! awhhhhh so adorable. tea time needs to be resurrected in america!!
    and i really liked district 9 too! i loved the way it was shot-documentary style! and how did peterjackson go from LOTR to this??

  • The Healthy Hostess August 22, 2009, 7:45 pm

    I love London!!! So many things to see! Speaking of London, I want to go back!!

  • Niki August 22, 2009, 7:49 pm

    Very cute dinner!! I have never been to London:( But would like to go someday!!

  • Paige@ Running Around Normal August 22, 2009, 7:59 pm

    What a cute meal! Love the tiers and the "snobby pinky teat!" lol

    My husband and I did dinner and a movie tonight too, but we went to Moe's and then saw Time Traveler's Wife (so good, btw!)

  • emily August 22, 2009, 8:02 pm

    Holy cow that looks exciting! There is something so fabulous about having tea.

  • Stephanie August 22, 2009, 8:06 pm

    I would LOVE to go to a British restaurant! I have a serious obsession with everything British. And strongbow 🙂

  • Angela (Run Study Eat) August 22, 2009, 8:06 pm

    never been to London but hope to travel there for study abroad in a year!!

  • lilveggiepatch August 22, 2009, 8:11 pm

    I went to London for a weekend when I was studying abroad in Paris. I loved it! I'd love to go back for a longer visit.

  • Julia August 22, 2009, 8:12 pm

    I lived in the Kensington neighborhood of London for five weeks a few years ago–loved it!! I shared a flat with three other girls 🙂 Definitely spent lots of money on scones while there-sometimes I'll get one at Starbucks or something and it just isn't the same at all!! And I really like the grocery store Sainsbury's, haha. I seriously love London and think about going back all the time…

  • Valerie (College Girl Eats) August 22, 2009, 8:16 pm

    Yes I went when I was about 14 with a school group and I remember loving it, but that's about it! I'd love to go back now, I feel like I would appreciate it so much more!

  • Anonymous August 22, 2009, 8:18 pm

    You most certainly made my night when I saw the little note you left for me inside of your bill. I am so happy about operation beautiful, thank you! by the way, i'm the girl that served you your food.

  • Leah @ L4L August 22, 2009, 8:37 pm

    I lived in Englad for 4 years growing up. It was so much fun! I even went to a British private school for a bit. Every now and then I catch myself saying a british word or spelling things differently (favour!).

  • Sheri August 22, 2009, 8:37 pm

    What a cute and scrumptious looking meal! I have never been to London. But for your 10 wedding anniversary we are planning a London/Paris trip…I cannot wait!

  • Jenna August 22, 2009, 8:54 pm

    that tier is so cute! and nope i have never been to london, but i wanna go 🙂
    jenna

  • Angharad August 22, 2009, 9:12 pm

    Eeek!As SOON as I saw the tier and before I'd even read anything, my first thought was of the tiered dishes my mum has like that! At birthday parties, we used to have our cupcakes served on those!!

    I wanna visit that restaurant – sounds awesome! Oh and Strongbow cider is my drink!!

    Easy answer to your question since I too an British…miss it so!

  • Annamarina (Running Tails) August 22, 2009, 9:50 pm

    My husband and I were in London this summer and I insisted on having Afternoon Tea! I loved the scones and tea sandwiches…and of course the dessert tier was amazing!

  • Priyanka August 22, 2009, 10:24 pm

    That is really a very cute dinner! mmm Scones!!!

  • Kristina August 22, 2009, 10:26 pm

    Don't you mean a Strongbow cider?? 😉
    I LOVE me some Strongbow. I love the UK, but Strongbow alone would make me want to move there!!

    I've been to London twice, have spent over two weeks total in the city, and have yet to do all that I want to do there. Pretty crazy! Right now I would do anything to spend another evening at the Holly Bush pub in Hampstead…it's hard to find, but it's such a gem!

  • peony in a nutshell August 22, 2009, 10:56 pm

    i LIVE about an hour away from london 🙂
    in a tearooms i work in theres always americans cooming in for freshly baked scones, dosnt matter iif u live here u still rele apriciate them and some peolpe have them daily 🙂

  • Kiki (Run Kiki Run) August 23, 2009, 1:40 am

    hey Caitlin! I've been living in London for the past 7 years and you cannot get this beatiful feast unless you pay muchos £££! How about you plan the next Healthy Living Summit in London? Hehe x

  • Lara August 23, 2009, 1:46 am

    How fun! I had my bridal shower at a place like that (in CA). It's funny, I have been to more tea houses in the US than I have in the UK! Maybe because it's just so expensive here!

    Pinkies up! 😉

  • Susan August 23, 2009, 3:01 am

    LOVE IT! My mom has one of those serving trays, it's always been my favourite piece of hers.

    I've never been to London, or the UK, but I was to go so. badly. It's at the top of my list!

  • Lauren August 23, 2009, 4:51 am

    What a fun meal! Presentation is everything 🙂

    I've heard great things about District 9… it's going on my list of movies to watch with the hubs.

  • Julie August 23, 2009, 5:04 am

    I've been to London and I LOVE IT! I went with my then-boyfriend(we also took the Eurostar to Paris for a few days)about 2 years ago and I've been dying to go back ever since. Because we only had about 4 days there we kind of rushed things and I want to take another trip to soak it all in. We did high tea at the Ritz and it was so fancy!! Super cute on the inside, everything were pastels and pale yellow. And the tea and scones with clotted cream and jam and finger sammies…ooh! So fun! I wish I could go back now!!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 23, 2009, 5:11 am

    anon – im glad you found my operationbeautiful.com in our bill 🙂 you were a wondeful waitress.

  • catruns August 23, 2009, 5:55 am

    My mother's 50th birthday gift to herself was Christmas in England a few years ago! It was so great, we spent a few days in London before heading to the Cotswolds and I. loved. it. Absolutely dying to go back. I'd move there if I could get the Husband to agree to it (he likes warmer climates)

  • Ali August 23, 2009, 5:55 am

    That looked so fun! I went to London a few years ago with my mum and dad. He loved going to tea so much that I know take my mom for tea at a local place in Harvard Sq. that serves English style teas for her Brithday! Looks like fun!

  • Bridget August 23, 2009, 6:44 am

    I was in London a month ago (went to India from the UK), and I stayed for 5 days. It's such a big, inspiring, and phenomenal place. I'm hoping to go back before my brother moves back to the states in a year and a half.

  • Lizzy August 23, 2009, 7:20 am

    aw that meal looks so awesome. alot of food like you said, but i bet you it was all amazing!!!

  • lookingforserenity August 23, 2009, 7:31 am

    I have not been to london, but I plan to study abroad in wales! 🙂

  • platipus329 August 23, 2009, 7:34 am

    That restaurant entirely wins when it comes to presentation. I've always wanted to go to England but never have had the chance. I might consider studying a semester abroad during college, though

  • Sara August 23, 2009, 8:17 am

    That looks fantastic! Everything in such a cute portion, too. Oddly enough, the crustless sandwiches look so sophisticated here. Ooh, and a lemon bar – yum. Is that piggy snout on the cookie meant to shame people?? Ha ha.

  • eatingmachine August 23, 2009, 8:34 am

    that lunch is too cute!
    I went to London in high school, but it went by WAY to fast.
    My fiance went to England this summer, but really I think his favorite thing was going to Liverpool to see the stadium 🙂

  • Meganerd August 23, 2009, 8:40 am

    That restaurant looks so cute! 😀

    We missed you on our run this morning, but we were saying how you wouldnt want to get up that early on a weekend. LOL. 😀

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) August 23, 2009, 10:08 am

    I've never been to London, or anywhere overseas. Hopefully one day!

    Love the cute tea set!

  • Penny August 23, 2009, 1:06 pm

    I LOVE the tiers!!!!! So cute and fun!

  • Jenny August 23, 2009, 3:05 pm

    what is it about a gorgeous presentation that makes good taste that much more inredible!? though i'm pretty sure if those little treats were served out of a garbage can they would still taste divine!

  • Jolene - EverydayFoodie August 23, 2009, 6:47 pm

    Love the tier!! I have one of those, I have never thought of serving dinner on it though 🙂 I use it for dessert squares at Christmas.

  • Suzanne August 24, 2009, 12:02 am

    I wish I could say we eat like this every day here in England.

    But we do take our tea very seriously! Pop in, I'll put the kettle on.

  • skinny latte August 24, 2009, 5:22 am

    I live in London, and it rocks 🙂

    The afternoon tea you had looks lovely – I don't go out for tea much, it tends to be very £££! I'm saving tea at Claridges or the Ritz for a very special occasion!

  • seesaraheat August 24, 2009, 6:17 am

    What an awesome dinner! I have never been to London but I hope to go someday. 🙂

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point