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Before Brick Lane became Little Bangladesh it was a Jewish territory. Little remains from that time but two bagel shops. They both are extremely popular. I went today to Beigel Bake where authentic Jewish mommas dispense plain and stuffed bagels at very attractive prices.
Bagel with smoked salmon is just £
1.30 while when stuffed with salty beef it will set you back to the tune of £
3.30. Add extra 20p for a slice of gherkin. Mustard comes free.
I find these bagels taste more British than Jewish, that is like they have been boiled for a couple of days with no salt or spices. Hundred and fifty years of catering to Cockney tastes do rub off on you. I really missed the smokiness of Jewish bagels in Montreal.
"Yeah!" The swarthy waiter confirms that I can, in fact, have some more milk. Fifteen minutes later it arrives with a reminder that we have to vacate the premises shortly as a private party will be starting.
The tea room of the Grand, Brighton's poshest hotel has none of the intimate quietness you expect from 5-star hotels. A raggle-taggle army of waiters dashes around finger-licking customers. The constant clatter and clink-clank rises to the high wrought-iron ceiling. Coats are piled on the arm-chair backs, gusts of chilly draft travel across the carpeted orangery. It has the atmosphere of a café at a railway station where travellers just drop by for a 23-pound cup of tea to kill time before their train.
To give credit where it's due, the tea is flavourful, the sandwiches and muffins are tasty and the cakes, if a tad on the greasy side, are decent. But you can get the same at your neighbourhood tea room and it will only set you back a few quid. Posh places charge more for the exclusive atmosphere and best quality of everything. Sadly, the Grand does not deliver either.
De Vere Grand Hotel is on the seafront at 97-99 Kings Road, Brighton. Full Afternoon Tea at £22.50 per person plus service.
P.S. De Vere is not related to Bubbles De Vere from Little Britain. I think it should though.
Before Brick Lane became Little Bangladesh it was a Jewish territory. Little remains from that time but two bagel shops. They both are extremely popular. I went today to Beigel Bake where authentic Jewish mommas dispense plain and stuffed bagels at very attractive prices.
Bagel with smoked salmon is just £1.30 while when stuffed with salty beef it will set you back to the tune of £3.30. Add extra 20p for a slice of gherkin. Mustard comes free.
