I know someone is going to tell me that Bettys isn't ethnic and it certainly isn't in London. But I always want to tell other people about any good (or bad) food experiences I have. I was in Harrogate at the beginning of the week and I found myself standing in front of Bettys, as if by magic. I believe in fate and destiny and so on. I do believe it was fate for me to be standing in front of the mouth-watering window displays of the famed bakery and restaurant. So I went in. I really wanted to have their stem ginger cake but they were all out. Instead, I had the warm ginger sponge with toffee sauce and creme fraiche. It was wonderful! The creme fraiche just cut through the utter sweetness of the toffee sauce. There was a slight gingerness in the sponge but you hardly noticed. And it was warm, just right. Really wonderful! I then proceeded to have the rarebit. I know I had an upside down meal - dessert and coffee before the main meal. But who cares?! The rarebit was also lovely with the tomato chutney. Although I must say that I have had better chutney. All the same I enjoyed it. It wasn't the cheapest afternoon tea I have had; it cost £30 for two people. But it is Bettys after all. I took home a tray of shortbread and a caddy of tea. Shame the shortbread only lasted a few minutes.
