Fortnum and Maisons or Aldi?

[EachandEveryone]

I went to F and M the other day and everything looked so beautiful. I was tempted by the tea and mince pies and hand made chocolates but then I thought us it just the packaging? When it comes to it is there that much of a difference?

I had one of the F&M mince pies the other day, ya bastard it was good

@BarbaraofSeville which store is selling that chocolate assortment?

F&M chocolate counter chocolates are best before 4-6 weeks. The ones in boxes last much longer. Most gift chocolates are not going to sell if they are eat within a short time. The cocoa and main ingredients will be better quality and in higher quantities than budget brands. Well I'd hope so anyway. The milk chocolate champagne truffles don't contain any palm oil.

F&M strawberry and champagne jam is amazing. Their chocolate counter led me to Audreys who supply all their chocolates and where I now spend far too much money.
The lady who works downstairs on the charcuterie counter is so lovely and plies my DD with mountains of free samples every time we visit is amazing.
It's one of my favourite places and I think I need to put an order in!

I used to enjoy going there but never in December- it’s absolutely heaving, even on weekdays.

I don’t like their Christmas puddings. I used to splurge on fresh fruit from there and it was divine. I also like their florentines (as someone else said) but their marzipan fruits were not good, we’ve been given them twice and no one liked them.

You haven't tasted their Merrilossuss biscuits, then.

No palm oil in the lovely F&M chocs I have open now

I absolutely love their pistachio and clotted cream biscuits. Nothing comes close. Also their English breakfast tea is lovely. (Don’t rate their royal blend) and the scones in their cafe are to die for.

Their chocolates are Audrey’s but I prefer other brands.

You can't possibly just leave this without details.

All the food is left in the counters overnight, uncovered, and mice run all over it. The unseen storage behind the counters and out the back are rank.

Stuff from packets on the shelves will be ok, but not served food from the counters.

There was a programme on C4 or 5 recently where they taste testerd Christmas foods from Aldi or Lidl, Sainsbury's and F&M. They all won different categories.

I don't believe you about the uncovered food.

I love going to F&M as part of a day out and buying a few very expensive bits. A trip to Aldi doesn't compare 🤣

I just don't believe that. A mouse infestation in the counters or anywhere in the shop would be obvious to anyone with eyes and a nose! Do they carefully tweezer out all the droppings every morning and just hope the mice are all strictly sticking to activity only during the hours they're closed?!

Maybe the mice were out the back. Any building that old and that size is going to have mice.

But loads of the workmen had their mitts all over the food left out. My friend didn't cos it was left out uncovered night after night and people were touching it and shit.

I never eat from anywhere like that unless I know for a fact that they clear the counters each night.

I love a F&M treat and like to buy some tea and Dundee Cakes for Christmas gifting.
I usually try to pop by the store sometime in December as it is so festive and staff are so lovely even when the store is packed!

Last year I ordered online and the box arrived damaged. The DPD driver pointed this out at delivery.
The tins inside were all dented so roughly half the order was damaged and not suitable for gifting. After several phone calls and emails attaching photos I gave up. I wish I had checked the Trust Pilot reviews before I placed the order. I just assumed that an established luxury brand like F&M would provide reliable delivery and good customer service for their online platform. Such a shame, as the food itself is a real treat and of very high quality.

Well at least the F&M mice know their place and keep out back, unlike the workmen clutches pearls I expect some didn't even stick to the tradesmen's entrance and servants' stairs!

I wasn't being derogatory about the workmen, my dh worked in there painting once or twice and worked on setting up/removing their skating rink, I was stating fact, the place is full of trades overnight. Painting and changing displays etc.

I'm not even jealous, honest.

I am, was it worth the hype??

@Lwrenagain the pastry was beautiful and short. Perfect pastry to filling ratio. Massive. Not overpowering or over sweet
Disclaimer: i realise things taste differently to other people!

I’m in F and M St Pancras! I’m going through this list now!

Re choclate don't be so quick to Diss aldi.
Apparently aldi choclate is extremely good quality.

I’ve just eaten a bag of buttons on five minutes so I can vouch for that