Highs and Lows

I was to meet 2 girlfriends for high tea this afternoon and while waiting for them to arrive, here's what I picked up at Fosters:

High Tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, on the other hand, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer "high tea".

Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room. There are three basic types of Afternoon, or Low Tea:

1. Cream Tea - Tea, scones, jam and cream
2. Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets
3. Full Tea - Tea, savouries, scones, sweets and desserts

In England, the traditional time for tea was four or five o'clock and no one stayed after seven o'clock. Most tea rooms today serve tea from three to five o'clock. The menu has also changed from tea, bread, butter and cakes, to include three particular courses served specifically in this order:

1. Savouries - Tiny sandwiches or appetizers
2. Scones - Served with jam and Devonshire or clotted cream
3. Pastries - Cakes, cookies, shortbread and sweets

A mouthful to digest? Not when you're trying the Fosters Devonshire Cream Tea (about S$10) - a palate of 2 scones, 1 finger sandwich, 1 slice of banana cake with butter, cream and jam on the side! Definitely a mouth-watering treat for a girl's day out!

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On a side note, Wen's better half, D, "gatecrashed" our tete-a-tete and brought along their latest family addition - Kiki. Kiki's a 5 year Shitzu that they've recently adopted... and quite cute too. Oh, and also a really tired one for that matter! *laughs* D explained they've been out for a while now so Kiki's all dog-tired (pun intended!). D then carried Kiki in his arms, like he would a baby, and Kiki fell asleep! So Dot and I took the chance to snap some pix!

Then as we spoke, Wen revealed that Kiki would sometimes sleep on his back, with four paws up! Which was exactly what my Chinkie would do! So we all came to the conclusion that it's a "monkey see monkey do" situation *grins*

On yet another side note, we spotted a lady with the LV bag I thought of buying - the LV Neverfull PM *drools* Have I finally found my IT bag?