The Hamlet In Mt. Kisco for Anglophiles & Anglo-foodies

The Hamlet In Mt. Kisco for Anglophiles & Anglo-foodies: The Hamlet, Mt. Kisco’s (relatively) new British goods store on South Moger Avenue was packed last Friday with people loading up on Bridies and Bangers, Cadbury’s and British chips, and soccer stuff in anticipation of Sunday’s Euro Championship finals between England and Italy. In other words, what we all would be doing on Super Bowl Sunday if Washington didn’t cross the Delaware and win a pivotal victory at the Battle of Trenton.

The Hamlet, for those of you who may have missed the first wave of press on their opening in February is Mt. Kisco’s emporium for all things British. Think of it as a cross between a gift shop for anglophiles and an Italian market except for anglo-foodies. And if you want to take a soak or soak your dishes like the Brits (and who doesn’t?) you can even find British Bath and Fairy dish washing liquids. Okay they don’t carry all things British. In fact you won’t find coals from New Castle at The Hamlet. But they do sell New Castle scones.

The Hamlet British Good Store is a partnership between ex-pat Drew and Leigh Hodgson and their Yank friends Mike and Karen Ransom – all current Mt. Kisco residents. Why? Because every town needs a place to shop for British foods, teas, vinyl records, books and gifts. If you haven’t been – check it out and you will immediately think of a hundred reasons to shop there – and at least one item to buy for each of your Facebook friends and followers.

The Hamlet for Anglo-foodies

For your salty-snack loving friends there’s a chip section that will make you think they were invented in Scotland. We’re talking about what we call chips not what they call chips and we call French Fries. If you’re hung up on Cape Cod Chips wait until you check out the Guinness Chips, or O’Donnell’s of Tepperary’s Chips with Bally aloe relish and cheddar cheese flavor.

And for your sweet-snack loving friends there’s a wall of British candy bars from Cadbury, and Nestle bars packaged for the UK market. Plus some independent makers like Fry’s chocolate creams, salted caramels and Maltese’s Biscuits (think malted milk balls.) Is there a cookie monster in the family? You’ll find a host of English biscuits which of course are cookies. (And if you didn’t know that you might want to pick up the New Edition of the UK to USA Dictionary while you are there.) And a wall of English teas and jams to stock up on for season five of The Crown. Don’t miss Aunty’s microwaveable steam puds chocolate or sticky toffee pudding. We didn’t!

We also had fun in the frozen foods section where there was a host of meat pies, roasties, Irish bangers, fish sticks, crumpets, British crack bacon, English double cream. Irish potato bread and for those of you who view colonial appropriation as a cultural homage – Arabian Chickpea Pie. If you like to brunch or eat in front of the TV – you’re gonna get addicted to this section. Best of all you can get a Gift Hamper for almost any occasion.

The Hamlet for Anglophiles

And the gift side of things at The Hamlet is where it really gets fun. There’s a book section stocked with London Times best sellers, Mary Berry cook books, a shrine to Dickens and lots of Dr. Who and other children’s books. Plus, All About Wales, All About Scotland, All About Ireland etc. Not to mention a soccer gift section where we had to pick up an Arsenal mug and water bottle for our son. We also have our eye on some soccer club ski hats, lunch bags and trivia books for the holidays. Of course it’s not just books and soccer in the gift department. At The Hamlet you can find Pimpernel placemats, St. Andrews umbrellas, and a host of items with the Union Jack on them. And our favorite – the music vault.

Set apart behind bank vault doors in its museum quality setting with ambient lighting and a brilliant and subdued sound system you will find The Hamlet’s incredible collection of vinyl records and limited edition releases of the never-ending British invasion from The Beatles to The Pet Shop Boys, Tom Jones to Amy Winehouse, Lulu to The Who to One Direction. Did we mention the Pink Floyd puzzle?

Alas, England was not victorious in their first trip to an international tournament final in 55 years on Sunday – dropping a heart breaker to Italy’s national team. It was Italy’s 34th consecutive win. But there’s always the next Premier League season which starts up in approximately 34 days and the World Cup next year. Put the Hamlet shop on your to do list for both. Or just drop by for a Cadbury Crunchie or Flake Bar or the Digestives Biscuits – The Hamlet’s biggest sellers!

The Hamlet is located at 23 South Moger Ave. in Mt. Kisco, 914-864-0324. Its website is still ramping up but you can check them out here. They are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm. And from 11am to 5pm on Sundays.