What else to do in York? Visit Betty's Tea Rooms of course. I actually learnt that the original is in Harrogate when a Swiss baker, Fritz Bützer, moved to England in 1907, where he married his landlady’s daughter and opened his first tea room.
Betty's in York opened in 1937, inspired by the Art Deco grandeur of the good ship Queen Mary. Located in St Helen’s Square, it's the most famous Bettys locations. Anyway, the line was short and although not particularly hungry, this was my chance. I couldn't fit in the full afternoon tea, so a cream tea would suffice. It's taken 4 years to learn the difference. I think.
All very pretty and genteel inside. Lace tablecloths, silver teapots pinky fingers raised whilst bringing a fine china cup to ones lips. Fat Rascals arrived on a tiered silver platter. What exactly is a Fat Rascal? it's basically the lovechild of a scone and a rock cake, but with far more attitude. It’s rich, crumbly, fruity, and decorated with glacé cherry “eyes” and almond “teeth”, giving it a slightly manic looking little face.
They're crumbly like a scone, but denser and dryer, lightly spiced, studded with currants/raisins/sultanas. Still served with clotted cream and jam (strawberry of course), and as I had no idea what the go was in York regarding what goes on first the cream or the jam, I went the jam first.
Verdict? Not bad. As a scone, not the best I've had - a bit too dry. But the place is lovely. Felt no overwhelming desire to buy any to take home or any of the other overpriced "gift shop" items. I have now eaten enough afternoon teas to last me a few months. Maybe I need to make my own rather delicious lemonade scones.
Add comment
Comments