Afternoon Tea News: Eric Lanlard Fusion Afternoon Tea at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London

Last week the Jumeirah Carlton Tower announced their latest Afternoon Tea collaboration with Eric Lanlard and we've got to say that we're pretty excited about this one!

For the last twelve months master patissier Eric Lanlard has been delighting guests at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower with his pretty “Rêves d'orient” Afternoon Tea, combining a whole host of exotic flavours and vibrant colours to create a wonderfully fresh and innovative travel inspired menu. So when the Jumeirah announced last month that Lanlard was to launch a new tea at the hotel, we were a little unsure as to how he could ever hope to better the “Rêves d'orient”. However, it would seem that our fears were for nothing, as his new 'Fusion' tea is just as pretty as the last, with a menu to tempt anyone.

Here's a little bit from the Jumeirah's website to explain what you can expect from this new tea:

On arrival, guests will be spiritzed with Eric’s edible perfume of freshly baked pain d’epices – quite literally a taste of things to come and a novel way to bring out the flavours of the tea. The menu begins with a section of savory delights such as: a lemongrass and ginger house-marinated salmon pumpernickel roulade; a roast beef, watercress and creamed horseradish wrap; and an onion brioche with crispy Peking duck, spring onion and cucumber. Then, to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth, a selection of pastries, cakes and desserts that combine elegant and subtle flavours to delicious effect. From a wild strawberry cone pop topped with strawberry cheesecake popcorn to dark chocolate cannelloni filled with tarte tatin mousse topped with pecan smoked mini apple, the FUSION afternoon tea is a decadent and memorable experience. With a remarkable attention to detail, Eric fills his honey roast apricot tart with precious saffron mousseline cream, and tops his wild roses nectar and fresh raspberries with lychee pearls and a Provencal fig coulis. 

Doesn't it sound fabulous? We can't wait to try it for ourselves - the wild Strawberry Cone Pop sounds AMAZING!

- If you go let us know what you think, we'd love to hear your thoughts!


Laura and Caroline

The FUSION Afternoon Tea by Eric Lanlard will be available at Chinoiserie from Friday 22 February and costs £40 per person or £50 per person with a glass of champagne, excluding service charge. To book, visit www.jumeirahcarltontower.com or call +44 (0)20 7858 7181

The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Cuthbert's Bakehouse, Liverpool

Last Monday The Afternoon Tea Club were invited to Cuthbert's Bakehouse in Liverpool for an afternoon of tea, cake and vintage fun!

Environment

Caroline:

Upon first entering this little cafe I was immediately struck by its elegance - Fully decorated with pretty fairy lights, fête style bunting and traditional cornices, I think it’s fair to say that Cuthbert’s Bakehouse is a vintage treasure.

Owned by Matthew and Elaine, Cuthbert’s attracts a large variety of clients, including students and businessmen alike - a testimony to just how far reaching its appeal is. The overall feeling is one of relaxation, with comforting turquoise hues running throughout, being off set with a variety of quirky features, including: lovely wooden floors, black boards and traditional net curtains. 

Particular highlights included their lovely antique furniture and old sweet counter which warmly greet you as you walk through the door, filling your senses with temptation - a real treat for the eyes!

The Full Tea

Laura: 

By combining a traditional British love for tea with a hipsters love for vintage, Cuthberts makes twee the new cool and sets itself apart as a prime hangout for Liverpool’s students.

Homely furniture housed in beautiful vintage surroundings, earn this mini tea shop top marks for décor and make it a great find amongst the city’s bustling Mount Pleasant.

I particularly loved the counter area with its adorable attention to detail, creating an illusion of organised clutter. The mix of colours on mismatched table settings, utensils and jars create an eclectic style that fuse together quite magically to achieve Cuthberts’ lived in and genuine personality.

Tempations Galore

Food

Caroline:  

What can I say about the Afternoon Tea at Cuthberts? Not only is it incredibly delicious, but also remarkably generous. Serving everything from Chocolate dipped Strawberries to Salted Caramel and Hazelnut Tarts, this menu offers something for everyone and is perfect for casual indulgence or a special celebration.

Roast Chicken Sandwich

On this occasion we opted for the traditional tea, which consisted of a selection of mini rolls (Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese; Roast Beef and Horseradish; Roast Chicken Salad; and Camembert and Cranberry) All Butter Scones (served with Clotted Cream and Cuthberts Home Made Strawberry Jam), and a wonderful selection of Cakes (incl. Florentines, Macaroons, Classic Victoria Sandwich, Blueberry Tart, Salted Caramel and Hazelnut Tart, Chocolate dipped Strawberries and Norwegian Almond Custard Cake)  

Cake Selection

My absolute favourite from this selection had to be the Camembert and Cranberry Sandwich, closely followed by the mini Victoria which was very fruity and light - I could easily eat both of these all day long!

- Chosen from a selection of co-owner Matthew’s favourites, this menu varies from season to season, but from the standard of what we were presented with on Monday, we are absolutely certain that the choice will be equally lovely all year ‘round!

Sandwich Selection

Laura: 

The first thing I thought when the food arrived was ‘How on earth are we going to finish all of this?!’ Actually that’s a lie - the first thing I thought was, ‘Oh wow’.

Like Caroline said, the talented team at Cuthberts are certainly a generous bunch with a selection of afternoon treats big enough to keep your sweet tooth satisfied for much more than just one afternoon.

In keeping with their hotchpotch style - our three tier tea stand was presented beautifully with a rainbow of fresh sandwiches and cakey delights. And they tasted just as good as they looked!

Time for Tea

Of course, before the sweet comes the savoury and we were treated to a fabulous selection of mini sandwiches that proved you can never underestimate the power of a simple sarnie. Whole mini buns bursting with beef and cheese and even miniature bagels filled with salmon and chicken were a welcome surprise and absolutely yummy too.

Next up was my current favourite layer, a choice of both plain and fruit scones with jam and cream. They were both so tasty and the homemade spread made for a perfect middle tier.

Front Counter

And finally, our fantastic dessert selection. Drum roll please! Bare with us, as this is an impressive list, here goes; Norwegian almond custard cake, hazelnut and salted caramel tart, blue berry cream tart, Victoria sponge cake, Florentines, macaroons and even chocolate dipped strawberries. Phew! My favourite was the hazelnut tart – deliciously smooth and the caramel underneath was a lovely surprise.

And to accompany our feast my teacup was constantly topped up with amazing Joe Black Coffee – perfect!

Blueberry Tart

Service

Caroline:  

The service at Cuthberts was prompt and polite, without being at all intrusive. Everyone was very welcoming and ensured that our tea pots were always full - Top marks!

 
Laura: 

The staff we met were very polite and friendly. The lovely lady who brought our food even gave us a handy guide detailing each part of the afternoon tea and also boxed up the cake we couldn't manage to finish. I loved the cute little takeout boxes these were presented in – they gave a really great lasting impression.

Mini Victoria Sandwich

Overall Thoughts

Caroline: 

I had a lovely afternoon at Cuthbert’s Bakehouse and wouldn’t hesitate to return again in the future  - if you're looking for a good value Afternoon Tea in quality surroundings, then you will not be disappointed by what Cuthbert’s has to offer.

Laura:  

If I was a student in Liverpool, I can guarantee that Cuthbert's would be my go to coffee shop. They have a fantastic range of cakes and with an afternoon tea costing just £15 - you can afford to treat yourself more than every once in a blue moon. I say go now - before it becomes cool!

Cupcake Rating:

 





Cuthbert's is located at 103 Mt. Pleasant Liverpool. Afternoon Tea Prices range from £15.00 - £19.00 pp. For more information please visit their website HERE

As is common in the catering and leisure industry, we were provided with complimentary services for review purposes. Whilst this has not influenced our review, we believe in the full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.  

Lunch Break: Café Zest, House of Fraser, Manchester

If you're looking for a coffee and sandwich in good quality surroundings, then all I have to say is 'head for Café Zest.' Situated on the fourth floor of Manchester's House of Fraser, this little café has a menu to delight and is the perfect place to break from the shopping rush.

For many years the term 'department store café' has conjured up images of plastic chairs, chipped plates and tissue stuffed tea spouts, but no more - Café Zest is an innovation. Not only is their dining space sleek and stylish, but they also serve an amazing selection of patisserie which include lovely fresh fruit tarts and pastries. They also do a cracking scone and great coffee.

Check it out!

(Caroline)

For more information about House of Fraser Manchester, please visit their website HERE

The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Annies, Manchester

Last week The Afternoon Tea Club were invited to Annies for an afternoon of delicious indulgence.

Annies

Environment

Laura: 

They have top hat light shades - I was sold there and then. Annie's is about mixing the theatrical with the elegant and they blend perfectly together under the guise of a traditional lounge style restaurant. Everything about the decor has been well thought out from the lavish chandeliers to the individual hand towels in the restroom.

The restaurant is split into several parts for daytime, evening and private dining. I very much liked the downstairs lounge area and it would make a great venue for a private party.

 Annie's is classy and stylish yet still incredibly charming and welcoming. There is no sense of superiority even though the level of sophistication at this place says there should be!

Hat Lamps

Caroline:  
Annies is the definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away just around the corner from Manchester’s bustling St. Ann’s Square, this little restaurant is the perfect city centre retreat - an almost home from home. Co-owned by Coronation Street’s Jennie McAlpine and Chris Farr, Annies offers its guests a comfortable homeliness which is uncharacteristic of many restaurants in the city centre - and a very welcome change. The furnishings at Annies are stylish yet familiar, comprising of brown hued armchairs and tables, elegantly accented with a variety of quirky paraphernalia, including bowler hat lamp shades and a decadent chandelier. The music choice was equally relaxing, with a selection of tunes from artists including, The Overtones and Michael Buble - as you can imagine, I was a very happy girl! 

The Full Feature

Food

Laura: 
I must admit, I didn’t know what to expect from afternoon tea at Annies as it is considerably cheaper than a lot of its competitors. But their gorgeous afternoon tea spread proved that price is definitely no indicator of quality here.

The selection of sandwiches was impressive with a good mix of salmon, beef, ham and mustard and cucumber, the ham being my fave. A very good start.

Speaking as a recently converted scone connoisseur – I realised this last week when I chose a scone over a slice of chocolate cake, my doctor’s appointment is booked for next week – I dove for the fabulous scones on our three tier tea. They were perfect, especially when layered with thick cream and strawberry jam, which came presented beautifully in mini jars. A nice touch.

And definitely saving the best ‘til last – the mini cake selection. Flapjacks, chocolate orange tarts and éclairs were on the menu today and made a refreshing change to my usual go to desserts. Naturally I loved the chocolate éclair but the chocolate orange tarts were a particularly wonderful addition and a pleasant surprise when the orange kicked in.

With generous helpings of tea and coffee delivered in traditional patterned china our afternoon was just perfect. 

Pretty Tea Service

Caroline:

This week we opted for the Standard Afternoon Tea which comprised of a selection of finger sandwiches (Ham and Mustard, Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Salmon and Beef) Fruit Scones with cute rustic jars of Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam, and a selection of yummy cakes and pastries (Éclairs, Flapjacks and mini Chocolate and Orange tartlets with whipped cream)

For me, the highlight of this selection had to be the éclairs which were wonderfully light and filled with a delicious rich cream - indulgence itself. The tea was also lovely, served in abundance in pretty blue and white china which really added that extra little bit of sophistication. All in all a lovely spread!

Sandwiches

Service

Laura: 
The staff at Annies were incredibly attentive and made sure our cups were always full with fresh coffee. Extra thanks must go to the restaurant’s lovely co-owner who gave us the grand tour and gave us the inside story on Annie’s origins. Did you know that Annies was named after St Anne’s Market and also inspired by a famous musical redhead –no prizes for guessing which one! Just absolutely faultless service.

Time for Scones

Caroline: 
The service at Annies was both warm and welcoming with no request being too much for our generous hosts. As Laura said, particular thanks must go to Chris who really went that extra mile to make our experience memorable, answering all of our questions with great passion and enthusiasm. The love which all of the staff have for Annies is evident and it is this which will take them far.

Oh the choice!

Overall Thoughts

Laura:  
I can definitely see us returning to Annies in the future with a group of friends to enjoy their evening menu or even just for a quick tipple. There is a wonderful atmosphere and we were made to feel right at home - which is probably why we didn’t notice the afternoon pass us by! Oh, it’s a hard knock life. 

Caroline:
I loved Annies and will definitely be back soon to sample their evening menu in the downstairs dining area. If you’re looking for a relaxing environment with good food and friendly staff, then you can’t really go wrong with Annies. 

Cupcake Rating:

 





Annies is located on Old Bank Street in Manchester City Centre, at the back of St Ann Square. Afternoon Tea Prices range from £14.95 - £19.95 pp. For more information and menus please visit their website HERE

As is common in the catering and leisure industry, we were provided with complimentary services for review purposes. Whilst this has not influenced our review, we believe in the full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.    

A Cup with Sorcha: Café Gourmand, Lexington Street, Soho, London

This week our Lady in London headed out to Soho's Café Gourmand for a little taste of France.

Café Gourmand

The intimate setting, lodged between two soho boutiques just off Carnaby street, is a fitting backdrop for a tiny but delicious coffee and a freshly baked croissant. 

The wooden furnishings of Cafe Gourmand compliment the pristine white crockery. The coffee is rich, smooth and is served at drinkable temperature with a leaf design tastefully poured on its silky surface. Cafe Gourmand upgrades the traditionally French Coq au Vin and Croque Monsieur, by displaying them as masterpieces in their own right, on a shining golden hot plate behind a glass cabinet. Two smartly dressed French hipsters with lovably complicated accents, smile occasionally and come to refresh your water glass from a old, green wine bottle when ever it is empty.

Coffee Break

 Buzzing with couples, suited fellows in business meetings and East London student types on days out with their mac’s, it seems that Gourmand’s vibrancy will suit most occasions where coffee is craved. The sweet window seats with wooden benches offer the single diner a chance to drink tea and watch the bustling disorder of soho happen in its usual fashion.

Tea (Importantly!) comes succinctly and stylishly compact in one sleek glass cylinder comprised of three parts- the vessel, the filter and the lid. Gourmand offers an array of loose leaf tea’s, one of which when ordered is generously pressed into the filter and brewed on your table. The tea is seen as the beverage’s main player, the focus, a minimalist tea feat. The fragrancy of the Jasmine tea is especially refreshing.

Yum!

Sourdough breads, served on raw wooden platters are not to be resisted after the cheesy, rich smell from the kitchen wafts through the cafe, making noses prick up and mouths water. Cafe Gourmand, with only 10 tables, offers each individual set of diners a special and personal experience.

Quality bakes as well as nurtured cooking make Cafe Gourmand the perfect, warm, bijou getaway from the February rain.

Sorcha-Mae Stott-Strzala is a videographer and live artist whose practice involves capturing moments of quotidian and the everyday. Her work in hospitality and the food industry combined with working in the arts, has lead to a diverse range of performance and video, exhibited in and around London and Manchester. More information about her current project TINATA (This Is Not A Take Away) can be found at: http://thisisnotatakeaway.com/
Twitter: @TINATA12

Our Lady in London

...Now covering London

For the last twelve months The Afternoon Tea Club has dealt almost exclusively with the lovely and varied establishments of the North West, sampling their teas and reviewing their cake to great effect. However, the time has come for us to spread our wings and fly down south (once a month) to explore the wonderful teas of London.

To assist us with this challenge we've recruited a brand new guest blogger, Sorcha Stott-Strzala, who will be reviewing on the site once a month, offering an insight into the London Tea scene. With a background in high-end Afternoon Tea, we know that she's going to make an excellent addition to the team - Welcome Sorcha!

Check back soon for the first instalment of 'A Cup with Sorcha'

Love

Laura and Caroline

X

Lunch Break: Watergate Tearooms, Hebden Bridge

When in Hebden Bridge, Lunch is an absolute necessity, and with so many different places to choose from you can be really spoilt for choice. On my most recent visit to the town, I decided to venture into the Watergate Tearooms (which have long been tempting me) to sample some of their lovely fare.

Scone and Jam

Offering extensive menus, which include both full afternoon and cream teas, this little cafe has something for everyone. The scones in particular are delicious, served warm with lashings of jam and cream - the perfect winter warmer by itself or with a cup of tea. Similarly the sandwiches are presented to a high standard, made using good quality products and garnishes.

Ham Baguette and Salad

However, there is one small downside to this cafe. On the day that I visited the service was particularly slow, with us being left waiting for the best part of an hour to be served our tea and sandwiches. In fairness, I must note that they were particularly busy, but I feel that even when considering this, the wait was a little longer than I would have otherwise liked. I wouldn't say that this is a reason not to pay them a visit, but just something to be taken into account if pushed for time.

Otherwise, lovely food and very pleasant staff!

(Caroline)

Lunch Break: John Lewis Espresso Bar, Trafford Centre

Flapjacks and Coffee

Whenever I go to the Trafford Centre, I always head for the John Lewis Espresso Bar. Tucked away at the back of the store's ground floor - adjacent to the men's department - this little café offers quiet, peaceful surroundings and yummy flapjacks in abundance. Although only small in size, this café is still relatively undiscovered, with many people opting for the larger 'Place to Eat' upstairs (they‘re definitely missing out.)

Ham Sandwiches

- If you're looking to escape from the shopping rush for a few minutes with a light snack and coffee, then you can't really go wrong!

(Caroline)

The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: The Lowry Hotel, Manchester

Last Monday, The Afternoon Tea Club were invited by Manchester's premier five star hotel, the Lowry,  to come and sample their brand new afternoon tea menu - We were in for a treat!

Delicious Cake Stand

Environment

Caroline

Furnished to a high standard and with views overlooking Manchester’s River Irwell, the Lowry Riverside Restaurant is a place of modern elegance. Minimalistic but fully equipped with comfortable leather chairs and art lined walls, this restaurant has a vibrancy which is most refreshing - particularly on a dreary Manchester day. Personal highlights included their lovely collection of pencil and ink drawings, which were clustered around the room, offering a particular talking point for both of us. The simplicity of the pieces is very reminiscent of Lowry’s own work, making it especially relevant within this particular hotel.
- All in all, a lovely place to spend an afternoon!

Blood Orange Trifle

Laura

There’s a lot to be said about a tea room that not only looks special but makes you feel special and The Lowry definitely ticks both boxes. From the moment our coats were taken, to the very last drop of fusion tea, we were treated like royalty – well we do like to think of ourselves as the Queen’s of afternoon tea!

Situated in the urban surroundings of Manchester's River Irwell, the stunning views on this beautiful snowy afternoon made you forget you were only a stone throw away from the busy centre of Manchester.

The décor is admirably understated, with mint green and pale bronze hues but the delicate linear artwork on the walls and gorgeous floral centrepiece subtly give it an elegant dose of life. A soothing choice of music too - the perfect setting for a lovely afternoon tea.

The Riverside Restaurant

Food

Caroline 

Carefully formulated and presented with absolute precision, this tea is easily one of the best in Manchester. The Lowry’s desire to create a special experience is evident throughout their menu, which offers a modern twist on old traditions, steering away from the generic fruit scones and tea loaf, and opting for something a little more extravagant.

Oh the choice!

The menu we sampled on this particular occasion was a champagne tea, consisting of a selection of edible delights, which included: a prawn cocktail and rhubarb meringue amuse bouche, a selection of dainty finger sandwiches (Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon and Crème Fraiche, Egg Mayonnaise with Watercress, Ham and Wholegrain Mustard and Cheese and Chutney), Scones (Plain and Apple and Cinnamon) served with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam, a zesty Blood Orange Trifle and selection of cakes and pastries (Hazelnut and Chocolate Financier, Apple and Blackberry Bakewell Tart, Chocolate and Pomegranate Macaroon)

For me, the particular highlight of this wonderful selection was the Apple and Cinnamon scones which were, quite frankly, a delicious revelation. When making scones myself in the past, I’ve never considered such a flavour pairing, but it really really works. They were light, airy and perfectly delicious. Similarly the Chocolate and Pomegranate Macaroons were delightfully fruity - a real treat for the taste buds.

As part of the experience, we were also given the opportunity to sample a selection of the teas and coffees available. The Lowry offers a very impressive range of Jing Teas and Herbal infusions, which include: Earl Grey, Morning blend (three blends of Assam), Afternoon blend (50% Assam and 50% Darjeeling), Organic Maojian Green tea, Organic whole hamomile flowers, Blackcurrant and Hibiscus fruit infusion, and Whole Peppermint leaf infusion. Being a stickler for tradition I initially opted for the classic Earl Grey, before moving on to the Blackcurrant and Hibiscus fruit infusion. This fruit tea was one of the nicest I’ve ever had - Delightfully fruity and well balanced - and the perfect way to end the afternoon!

Champagne

Laura

Oh wow – where to begin? We were treated to a spectacular champagne afternoon tea which, I have to say, exceeded my expectations in every possible way.

Why? Well to start, our champagne flutes arrived accompanied by a mini shrimp cocktail, beautifully presented and smothered in gorgeously creamy sauce. To accompany was a lovely fresh rhubarb meringue.Oh my - It was gorgeous and honestly, I could have left satisfied at the first dish. Yum.

But of course, we were here for an afternoon tea treat – and what a treat it was! I applaud The Lowry for their unique presentation. A stylish tea stand, loaded with plenty of fabulous treats for us to sample.

The sandwiches were wonderful. Different types of bread for every palette with a selection of egg, ham and mustard, cucumber, salmon and cheese fillings. I’ve got to say, my favourite was the ham as it was quite different to the usual choice of afternoon tea sandwiches.

Next up, and possibly the part I was looking forward to the most –scones with jam and cream. But of course, as the Lowry doesn’t appear to do anything by halves, these were no ordinary fruit scones. We were spoiled with two types – classic plain and apple and cinnamon. Layered with beautifully rich jam and cream they were actually the best scones I’ve ever tasted - you can quote me!

And finally, the impressive selection of miniature sweets were just amazing. Prepare yourself: you will drool ... A cute pink chocolate and raspberry macaroon, a slice of hazelnut chocolate brownie and a mini bakewell. And that’s not all – we were treated to individual real orange trifles too – I did warn you!

Meanwhile, we indulged in their wonderful selection of fusion teas – my personal favourite was the blackcurrant and hibiscus – such a calming scent and deliciously fruity.

All in all – impressive.

Champagne Tea

Service

Caroline 
I can say without hesitation that the Lowry’s service is by far the most sophisticated that we have ever received. Like everything else at this restaurant, their attention to detail is impeccable, being prompt and efficient, without losing any of their charm and enthusiasm. We were made to feel very welcome throughout our entire two hour visit, being offered everything from extra cushions, to a very informative tea demonstration. If you’re looking to be spoilt for an afternoon then this is definitely the place to go.

Laura

Attentive and polite staff are all we ask for here at the ATC – but the staff at The Lowry proved what a difference that extra bit of oomph can bring to a traditional afternoon tea. We were greeted at the door bya lovely chap named Sherman who made us feel incredibly welcome and went the extra mile by guiding us through each of our courses oozing knowledge on allof the different teas and tips for a perfect brew. It’s great when staff have avisible passion for their work and all of the team at The Lowry exerted this generous spirit.

Overall Thoughts

Caroline

The Lowry is one of those places that not only offers good food, but also creates unforgettable experiences. From the comfort of their surroundings, to the sophistication of their staff, this restaurant is a perfect ten all ‘round - So much so in fact, that we’ve had to invent a whole new level of classification, just to accommodate it - The Golden Cupcake!

Laura

As much as I love a good cake, the best thing about the Lowry for me was the wonderful team. Attentive, approachable, knowledgeable and just all around lovely people. They created the atmosphere for me and managed toprovide a top class, formal setting but were happy to engage in conversationwith us, making us feel at home.

If you want utter indulgence and in search of the perfect spot for tea then look no further than the Lowry – utter class.

Cupcake Rating:

Plus! We are awarding the Lowry with The Afternoon Tea Club's extremely elusive Golden Cupcake Award - only given to those who have truly shone in the afternoon tea department. Congrats, champagne tea for everyone!

The Lowry Hotel is located at Chapel Wharf, in Manchester City Centre. Afternoon Tea Prices range from £22.50 - £33.00 pp and are served weekdays from 2.15pm, Saturdays from 12.00pm and Sundays from 3.15pm. For more information and menus please visit their website HERE

As is common in the catering and leisure industry, we were provided with complimentary services for review purposes. Whilst this has not influenced our review, we believe in the full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.  

Happy Birthday to The Afternoon Tea Club!

It's hard to believe it's been a entire year since The Afternoon Tea Club began - and what an exciting 12 months it has been! 

Since January 2012 we have sampled some of the best afternoon treats from Manchester and beyond, taking us to the quirky little boutiques of the Northern Quarter, the iconic Central Perk sofa and York's famous Betty's Tea Rooms. 

We celebrated our first birthday with an invitation to afternoon tea at Brown's Manchester which has inspired us to indulge in a monthly spot of traditional afternoon tea at various tea rooms across the UK - of course we will report back to our fellow tea-lovers - Send us your recommendations!

Thank you so much to all of our readers and the lovely people of our Twitterverse for your support and suggestions.

Here's to another cake-tastic year!

Laura and Caroline x

The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Browns, Manchester

Last week, The Afternoon Tea Club was invited for an afternoon of champagne and sophistication at one of Manchester's premium restaurants, Browns Bar - what better way is there to spend a birthday!

Epitome of Sophistication

Environment

Caroline

Whether you’re ladies who like to lunch or on a business brunch, Brown’s is an idyllic location. Wonderfully calm, but bubbling with ambiance, this sophisticated Brasserie treats its guests to a little taste of the Art Deco past, whilst being firmly footed in the twenty-first century. Their dining area is comfortable and elegant offering just the right balance of historical charm and modernity, with the inclusion of some very impressive chandeliers and mirror lined walls which exude a ‘high class’ feel. The background music was appropriate for the surroundings, adding an extra element of atmosphere to the dining experience - Paolo Nutini is always a winner. I have no doubt that this restaurant can, at peak times, become as lively as every other in town, but for tea and scones in an afternoon this comparative serenity gives Browns that extra added charm - Perfect for escaping the city centre blues for an hour or two.

Dining Room

Laura
The overall design of Brown’s is all about grandeur. High ceilings, marble pillars and statement chandeliers are all elegantly put in place to produce the perfect get-away from busy Manchester life.

The aroma from the top class kitchen hits you the moment you walk through the doors of the former banking hall and the shine from gold accents and Edwardian signature pieces make you feel like you’ve just stopped for tea in the first class lounge of the Titanic. However, let us say, Brown’s is no sinking ship and has its feet firmly on the ground with a high class feel that compliments rather than overpowers its welcoming atmosphere. 

Food

Caroline 

Browns offer a selection of Afternoon Teas which include, ’Traditional’, ’Champagne’ and ’A Most Unusual Afternoon’ - which comes with a ’stylish glass of Hendrick’s & Tonic with a slice of cucumber’ - All sounded lovely, but on this occasion we both opted for the Champagne! 

High Tea

I must say that I was very impressed with the standard of all of the food which we were presented with. The tea itself consisted of a selection of finger sandwiches (Cucumber, Salmon & Cream Cheese and Egg & Watercress) presented on a lovely cake stand, with fruit scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam, a selection of mini cakes (Rich dark fruit, Chocolate Mousse and Lemon) and a choice of tea or coffee, with a glass of champagne on the side. The sandwiches were very fresh and made to order on good quality bread - complete with trimmed crusts - whilst the cakes were lovely and moist. My particular favourite was the rich dark fruit cake which was brilliantly dense and fruity and left me wanting more. 

As an added treat, we were given the opportunity to sample the Chef’s special of the day - a Passion Fruit Panna Cotta - which was a definite highlight of the afternoon and well worth trying if you pay them a visit in the near future!

Afternoon Tea

Laura
As you may be aware, we’re rather partial to a spot of tea and cake (and if you didn’t well … welcome!) so we were quite excited at the prospect of afternoon tea at Browns. Given the choice between Traditional Tea, Unusual Afternoon and Champagne Tea, we of course did not hesitate to select the champagne option.

Our champagne came presented with a slice of strawberry on the side – subtle but finishing touches like that really make the difference.

I chose to go wild and select coffee instead of tea for the afternoon – good choice too as it was noticeably great quality coffee accompanied by hot milk.

As Caroline said, the selection of sandwiches on offer was a trio of traditional favourites. Perfectly cut afternoon tea staples on particularly fresh bread - top marks for the salmon!

Moving down the stand were some lovely fruit scones complete with jam and cream. They were an absolute treat and if it didn’t break tradition I would have happily had several!

The final tier offered something for every palette with a choice of three miniature cakes – rich chocolate,zesty lemon and good old fruit cake. Of course, my favourite was the chocolate slice which had a lovely mousey texture and thick chocolate topping.

And as if all that wasn’t enough -  we were kindly offered the chance to try the chef’s daily dessert special – a passion fruit Panna Cotta. Delicious! So creamy and tangy at the same time –definitely worth a return visit.

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Service

Caroline
Service at Browns was very swift, friendly and professional, taking care of you without being over facing. We were made to feel incredibly welcome by all staff members from the second we stepped in through the door and couldn‘t have asked for more. 

Laura

Upon arrival we were greeted and offered a beverage whilst we chose our tea options. The lovely lady who looked after us was kindly attentive and as Caroline said was observant without being intrusive. Just the right balance.

Champagne

Overall Thoughts

Caroline
I had a very enjoyable afternoon at Browns Manchester and will definitely be returning in the near future to sample their a la carte menu and experience the evening ambiance. Full marks!

Laura

It would be easy for Browns touse its beautiful guise of grandeur to set itself aside with a sense of elitismbut this just isn’t the case. For me, that was its winning factor as it manages to separate itself from most establishments by simply providing a genuinely lovely experience. Browns is beautiful yet comfortable and if we could stop for afternoon tea here every afternoon, the world would be a wonderful place – now, just have to try and convince the other half to take me there for their Valentine’s special!

Cupcake Rating: 

Browns is located in Manchester City Centre near Rosso, on the corner of York Street and Spring Gardens. Afternoon Tea Prices range from £9.95 - £23.95 and are served daily from 2.30pm. For more information, menus and how to book a table please visit their website HERE 

As is common in the catering and leisure industry, we were provided with complimentary services for review purposes. Whilst this has not influenced our review, we believe in the full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.