Knocking over a mountain of tinned peas with a supermarket trolley is one of the embrassing hazards of modern shopping.
But not Fortnum and Mason.
There are no trolleys in this Piccadilly grocer's shop. The floors are croved with thick red carpet and the assistans wear pin-stripe trousers and tail-coats. The display by the door is a pyramid, built with jars of Beluga caviar, selling at a hundred pounds a time.
Fortnums have been in business since 1707. And for nearly as long they have been grocers to the Royal Family.
The original Mr. Fortnum was a footman at the royal place - he was the one with the connections. The first Mr. Mason had a small shop up the road. They were an ideal combination. To this day their shop in London is famous for the quality of its food and the excellence of its service.
Pop stars rub shoulders with Dukes and diplomats. It's fine place for spotting famous faces, and a clam place to wander, after the bustle of Piccadilly. If you don't fancy the caviar, have a cake or two. There's a tea-room up some carpeted stairs at the back.
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