DOWNTON ABBEY TEA FOR TWO AT THE WHITBY HOTEL

Do not raise your pinky when you lift up your cup of tea as it is rude.   It actually connotes elitism as cultured people would eat their tea goodies with three fingers while commoners would hold the delights with all five.  Downton Abbey has an extraordinary exhibition in midtown Manhattan and just a few blocks away the British owned Whitby Hotel has paired it with Afternoon Tea. 

Chose from either dining in the Whitby Bar

or the Orangery.  I went with my dear friend Enid Lang due to her getting me hooked on watching Downton Abbey on PBS.  We chose the beautifully decorated and skylight Orangery with its displays of plates, chandeliers and cushiony high backed upholstered chairs. 

The Downton Abbey menu was then placed before us. 

With many tea choices Enid opted for the Rooibos, having it for the first time.  She loved it! This tea comes from South Africa.  It does not contain tea leaves but from a honey bush, which gives its slight sweetness.  Wanting to experience a different type of “tea,” I decided on a marigold flower, which is first placed in a glass.  When you pour the hot water into it, the marigold opens up little by little until full bloom.  A strainer is placed over the glass and the tea is poured into your cup.   All teas are loose and can be used for more than one cup.

Options that come with the $45 fixed price are:  Bespoke English Breakfast Blend – traditional English breakfast with an aromatic honey rose and a deep malty finish; Rare Earl Tea – hand crafted black tea with a pure bergamot oil from southern Italy (to be enjoyed with a lemon zest or milk); and Whole Chamomile flowers, which are caffeine free since it is an herbal “tea.” There is a further list of Specialty Teas for a $2.50 supplement.  

Delights come to your table on a three tier silver platter.  The top layer has the sweet treats of: Iced fruit cake and house made mince pie; Sticky toffee pudding; Chocolate and peppermint opera cake; Spiced orange and chestnut mousse buche de Noel. 

Tea sandwiches (with the crust removed) fill up the middle layer with: Smoked salmon sandwich with mustard cream; Turkey sandwich, cranberry, radish sprouts; Cucumber sandwich (of course), sweet butter, white balsamic; Chickpea hummus sandwich roasted eggplant; Gruyere Gougene. 

The bottom layer has the scones, clotted cream and two different preserves. 

Relaxing, sipping your tea and enjoying each savory bite of the delights are very important.  It may look as if the quantity of the food would not fill you up.  Don’t be surprised if you request a “to go” bag and you can also get a “to go” cup if you don’t finish your tea. 

 

Take a moment to walk around the charming lobby of the Whitby, one of two London based Firmdale hotels located in Manhattan.  The address is 18 W. 56 Street.  I recommend viewing the Downton Abbey Exhibit prior in order to truly set the mood. 

THE OSCARS FILM SERIES
AT THE WHITBY Hotel and crosby street hotel, new york

In the run up to the 90th Academy Awards ceremony, explore some of the most highly anticipated nominations from the comfort of Crosby Street Hotel or The Whitby Hotel's luxury private cinemas.
Or enjoy live coverage of The Oscars ceremony on March 4th, live from the comfort of either hotel's private screening room. Red carpet coverage starts from 6.30pm, followed by the ceremony hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at 8pm.

THE WHITBY HOTEL:

Film Club includes brunch, a three course lunch or afternoon tea in The Whitby Bar followed by the movie of the week for $55 per person. The films will be shown every Sunday at 4pm.

FEB 11 - Victoria & Abdul

FEB 18 - Roman J Israel

FEB 25 - Blade Runner 2049

MAR 4 - Darkest Hour

MAR 4 - The Oscar's 2018 (LIVE) - Coverage from 6.30pm

RESERVATIONS:
To book, please call +1 212 586 5656 or email bar@thewhitbyhotel.com

CROSBY STREET HOTEL:

Film Club includes dinner or cocktails in The Crosby Bar followed by the movie of the week starting at 8pm. 3 course dinner and a movie is $55. Cocktail, bar plate and movie is $35. 

FEB 11 - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri

FEB 18 - Blade Runner 2049

FEB 25 - Victoria & Abdul

MAR 4 - The Oscars 2018 (LIVE) - Coverage from 6.30pm

MAR 11 - Darkest Hour

RESERVATIONS:
To book, please call +1 212 226 6400 or email bar@crosbystreethotel.com

 

DOWNTON ABBEY, THEY’RE BACK!

Downton Abbey fans, get ready for season 5 of this addicting British Comedy-Drama on PBS.  I had the opportunity of attending an event in Manhattan.  I’ll let you hear about from my friend, Enid.

“So I admit it.....I adore Downton Abbey! I wish it aired more episodes and didn't have to wait so long between seasons.  I blame my friend, Doreen, for getting me hooked on it. When she and her husband, Jeff, were watching the first season, she kept raving about the show, but I was kind of resistant. After the season aired, Doreen ordered the DVD from PBS and loaned it to me. I decided to see why they were so enthralled with the show, so one day I loaded the disc into my laptop and ended up binge-watching the entire first season in one sitting. I was hooked! Been eagerly anticipating every season since, plus watching reruns whenever I can.”

Now my dear friend, Merle, who I've known over fifty years (!!!), patiently listened to my kudos for Downton Abbey. Being a journalist, she was able to obtain past seasons of DA through PBS, and guess what? Yup, she got hooked! So fast-forward a year, and Merle gets an invitation from PBS for a media event in NYC to preview the upcoming fifth season of Downton Abbey, and some of the cast will be on a panel onstage for Q&A. Turns out, she can bring a guest!”

Helllloooooo! Guess who got to attend as her guest?? I was so excited! We met up at the lobby of the theater where the event was being held, and there were life-sized cardboard cutouts of some of the major players (Lady Mary, Lady Edith, Carson), so we took some photos of us with them. 

We had some hors d'oeuvres and drinks and went to our seats. The orchestra level of the theatre was where the show's sponsors were seated, and the media people were on the first mezzanine. Great seats, by the way, except for the long steep staircase to climb up there.”

Anyway, the event began with two women from PBS talking about upcoming new PBS shows this season (a few looked interesting… may check them out), and then they showed the first episode of DA's new season, which begins Jan. 4th. After that, they introduced the moderator of the panel -- Jenna Bush Hager, and she introduced Alistair Bruce, the show's historical consultant, then the actors who portray Mrs. Hughes, Lady Edith, Lord Grantham, Thomas (booooo!), Mrs. Patmore, and then Gareth Neame, the producer.”

The actors look so amazingly different out of their DA personas! The moderator asked questions of each of the panelists and the audience was just eating it up! Alistair Bruce offered so much information about the attention to detail within the show's production, and the cast was personable and funny. Merle and I were snapping photos constantly. At the conclusion, we made it back down the long steep staircase and then were offered handouts of hundreds of individual DA teabags and coasters, plus cookies with the PBS logo and a tag for another upcoming show (a British baking show).”

While we were standing outside, who walks out but "Thomas", and then "Lord Grantham" (Hugh Bonneville), and then "Mrs. Patmore"! Merle starts talking to Hugh Bonneville about how she adores "Notting Hill", a movie from 1999 in which he appeared, and which she has seen 25 times. He looks at her and replies, "You poor sad woman!" Too funny! And then - duh!- neither Merle nor I had the brains to take out our cameras and snap photos of him standing right next to us!!!!! Stupid stupid stupid!! Anyway, it was an amazing night and I'll never forget it, with many thanks to my dear friend Merle.”

Following the season’s first episode, watch “The Manners of Downton Abbey”.   Starting, Jan.18^th, a new Masterpiece mystery, “Grantchester” will follow Downton Abbey.  A preview was shown at the event and can be seen online.  www.pbs.org

ROAD TO BRANDYWINE VALLEY DAY 1

It’s the first road trip of the year as Laurie and I packed up her car with her gps set for various locations in the Brandywine Valley area of Pennsylvania-Delaware.   Most of the trips’ action was centered on a district in Pennsylvania known as Kennett Square, a small home town with much to explore.

Our first destination was to a Dupont owned estate known as Winterthur.  With its preeminent collection of American decorative arts, naturalistic gardens, and a tour of some of the most notable spaces in the 175-room house, among other things, my soul purpose was in seeing one exhibited collection.  All was curated by three members of the staff including Maggie Lidz who went to London, not to ride the ponies, but to choose costumes. 

Downton Abbey may have ended its season.  Not so as I was able to view “The Costumes of Downton Abbey”.   It featured 40 historically inspired costumes and accessories worn upstairs and downstairs by the characters.  “Upstairs” are the wealthy folks who live there while “downstairs” are the staff.  

The exhibition, running until January of 2015, is organized chronologically as I was able to move through the times of day.  There are several sectioned off rooms many with a backdrop of a scene or a vignette from the series that relates to the costumes.   Depending upon how much you are into the series or even simply the history of England is how you will view each costume with a sign that gives an explanation.  I also noticed a working recreation of the bell system.   My itinerary didn’t allow me ample time for all.  At least I have the DVD’s to watch.  

Afternoon teas and English brunches are held in the Garden Café at Winterthur’s Visitor Center.  We did have lunch but not quite the menu that the special brunch offers.   Check their calendar for dates and times as well as some scheduled events or lectures relating to Downton Abbey.  Perhaps we will return for an early summer tour of Winterthur.  www.winterthur.org

We now head for Kennett Square to visit Sweet Christine’s Bakery located at 132 West State Street.   State Street is the local name for Baltimore Pike.  What is special about Christine’s Bakery is that the goods are all gluten-free.   Sampled a brownie, cupcakes and later, a lava-cake.   Brownie pretty good but certainly not better than a Fairytale Brownie.

Tuckered out a bit we check into the first of three accommodations, this one being Pennsbury Inn located in nearby Chaddsford.  Owners Cheryl and Chip are there to greet us as well as the "house pooch" tucker.   This is one of those inns with a long history, dating back to 1714, that Chip will gladly share as you take a tour.  What gets my attention is the wildlife.   Chip gives us the logistics on the cute dog.  “If he wants to go out, let him out”.  “Don’t call him to the table”.  

The living room area extends past the dining room where there was a great view of the back yard.   I watched a squirrel stealing food from the bird feeder while the little bird looked on waiting for its departure.   

There are many common rooms to view at this inn, one of which houses a piano.  Sleeping rooms are minus tvs and telephones as the modern day brings the visitors with cell phones.  Our room, named The Longwood had two twin beds with white picket fences as the headboards.  The bathroom was quite sizeable and had an old fashioned pull chain toilet. 

A full breakfast is served that started off with a poached pear deluxe, followed by Southern Corn Bread with Cheryl’s own jams and apple butter.  The “main course” was Pineapple and Crème French Toast served with Spinach and Asagio Cheese Chicken sausage.  www.pennsburyinn.com

I found the least expected “event” was having such a totally high class and delicious dinner in this small town.   Portabello’s of Kennett Square has a most passionate chef, Brett Halbert who is quite picky about the products that he uses as well as having the knack of being innovative in his cuisine.   The name might suggest an Italian restaurant.   Think about the mushroom instead.   This area is the known as the Mushroom Capital of the World and rightly so.   I’ll get into that at another time.  

Thirsty for something cold and tasty, Brian, our knowledgeable waiter, suggested this Raspberry Iced Black Tea from a company that produces a brand called Tei.  Pretty addicting. 

Portbello’s has options in their menu that include gluten-free.   Thus, they are able to offer bread bought from Christine’s Bakery.  We also had “Brooklyn Bread” accompanied by two spreads.  I turned down the roasted garlic scallion butter opting for the roasted mushrooms with gorgonzola cheese hummus. 

As we waited the first course of the chef tasting, a white Reisling wine was offered as well.   Portabello’s is a byob.  The wine comes from Flickerwood Wine Cellars Tasting Room, across the street.   It’s a reciprocation with a byof…bring your own food, when you visit the tasting room.  Later on that one as well. 

Exotic Mushroom Crepes had shitake, mitaki, oyster and porcini mushrooms in the crepe with a madeira cream atop.   Being a lover of mushrooms I thought that this was so totally good until the roasted mushroom soup arrived.  Assortment of roasted mushrooms are chopped and then slices of mushrooms are placed in the soup as well.  It was clearly an OMG experience. 

Brett’s choosy reputation was showcased with Crab Cakes.   No breading used, excellent choice of seasoning and the lump crab was evidently high quality.  Best crab cake I’ve ever eaten.  

A few other appetizers such as Portabello fries and Firecracker Shrimp (which was just a bit too spicy for me) were presented. 

Salad being a must, Brett prepared one made with organic baby lettuce, mango, candied almonds, ginger Stilton cheese, citrus vinaigrette.   

I then had chicken parmesan with a tomato sauce that went perfect with the chicken and pasta. Some roasted veggies accompanied it.

As for dessert, again some foods are gotten from local specialty companies.   There is an ice cream store called La Michoacana that makes both some unusual creations such as corn ice cream.  I did not have that.  Instead there was an assortment of flavors: peanut butter fudge; strawberries and cream; and toasted coconut with chocolate chips.   I’m full!

Sandra Morris is married to Chef Brett. She takes care of the of the front of the house. 

  www.portabellosofkennettsquare.com

Walking back to the car I spotted a place called Kennett Design – with a splash of wine.  This art studio is a space for people to wish to learn how to paint. I entered to see what was going on.  Everyone was painting the same piece of artwork.  The classes seemed to focus on choosing a piece of art and having an artist gives you lessons on how to reproduce it.  

The “splash of wine” aspect is that it is another byob.  They don’t serve wine or have a liquor license.  However, you are welcome to bring in your own wine.  Where is the best place to buy it?  Flickerwood Wine Cellars Tasting Room is across the street and offer a discount to those attending a class.  You don’t have to bring wine.  Just your favorite drink and snacks as well.  www.kennett-design.com