From the minute you pass through its elegant doors, you know Fortnum and Mason is no ordinary grocery store. By the time Charles Fortnum left the service of the mad King George in 1788 to join the family firm, the store was already established in London society. It provided foodstuffs for British expeditions, supplied royalty with tea, and even bought the first batch of tinned baked beans in 1886 – from Mr. Heinz himself. To even get in nowadays, you have to battle through hordes of Japanese tourists who giggle in delight over an entire four-shelf display of different types of shortbread. The deep plush carpets and staff in tailcoats impose a gentile hush, and you can be heard as you sniff appreciatively at the fresh chocolates. Prices here are not for the faint-hearted. The quintessential English afternoon tea (served between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.) includes fresh cut sandwiches, scones, and pastries served with tea from their Classic range, and will set you back a whopping $38. Upgrade to champagne, and it’s an eye-watering $52. The floors above are a delight of elegant goods. Buy a greeting card from the third floor; they are beautiful and reasonably priced, and you get it in a neat little Fortnum’s bag.