Spring Break
Britain, U.S. Have Different 'Flavours'
John Bailey
Issue date: 6/9/08 Section: Focus
Coffee Shop Problems
Everyone in London looks very faintly pissed off about something. At first, I wasn't quite sure what had their knickers in a twist; after a few weeks, I'm starting to understand. There's something wrong with the coffee shops! None of them actually serve coffee. If you wanted to, you could probably drown yourself in espresso-there are 'Italian style' cafes every ten meters. But if you just want a cheap cup of joe on your morning commute, you'll have to call home for an East Berlin-style airlift. The few places that do serve actual coffee treat it in a strange way; it's called "filter coffee" as if it's some kind of fascinating exotica. Even at Starbucks, they have to make a special menu section for the classic stuff, and they don't even have iced coffee. Also, there are no coffee shops open past 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., even on Friday nights. Maybe I should just be drinking more beer.
Pie, With Beer
British food is usually imagined as being like American food, but with more intestines. "British restaurants" don't really exist in America; we usually just imagine Brits eating scones three meals a day. But there's one cultural artifact that makes British cuisine unique: pie. We have apple pie, we have pumpkin pie (although, incidentally, you'd be hard pressed to find canned pumpkin within kilometers of London) and we have those nasty Little Debbie pies. Britain has every pie. Pork pie, chicken pie, kidney pie, leek and onion pie, Thai pie, whatever pie. If it squeals when you stab it, the Brits have put it in a delicious, flaky crust. And it's delicious. If you want the quintessential British experience, find your way to a pub (dead simple) and order a pork pie and a pint. Beats the hell out of the Changing of the Guard.
Contact John Bailey at John.C.Bailey@UConn.edu.
Everyone in London looks very faintly pissed off about something. At first, I wasn't quite sure what had their knickers in a twist; after a few weeks, I'm starting to understand. There's something wrong with the coffee shops! None of them actually serve coffee. If you wanted to, you could probably drown yourself in espresso-there are 'Italian style' cafes every ten meters. But if you just want a cheap cup of joe on your morning commute, you'll have to call home for an East Berlin-style airlift. The few places that do serve actual coffee treat it in a strange way; it's called "filter coffee" as if it's some kind of fascinating exotica. Even at Starbucks, they have to make a special menu section for the classic stuff, and they don't even have iced coffee. Also, there are no coffee shops open past 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., even on Friday nights. Maybe I should just be drinking more beer.
Pie, With Beer
British food is usually imagined as being like American food, but with more intestines. "British restaurants" don't really exist in America; we usually just imagine Brits eating scones three meals a day. But there's one cultural artifact that makes British cuisine unique: pie. We have apple pie, we have pumpkin pie (although, incidentally, you'd be hard pressed to find canned pumpkin within kilometers of London) and we have those nasty Little Debbie pies. Britain has every pie. Pork pie, chicken pie, kidney pie, leek and onion pie, Thai pie, whatever pie. If it squeals when you stab it, the Brits have put it in a delicious, flaky crust. And it's delicious. If you want the quintessential British experience, find your way to a pub (dead simple) and order a pork pie and a pint. Beats the hell out of the Changing of the Guard.
Contact John Bailey at John.C.Bailey@UConn.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Matt
posted 7/08/08 @ 4:25 PM EST
Wouldn't it be boring if every country was the same? Imagine going half way around the world, only to find Taco Bell!
I think you're also forgetting the great British cup of tea - that pretty much explains why coffee isn't so popular - it isn't required!
You're spot on with the pies though - they truly can be amazing. (Continued…)
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