A Cup with Sorcha: The Gallery Mess London, Afternoon Tea Review

 Recently our Lady in London, Sorcha Stott-Strzala, was invited to Gallery Mess to sample their wonderful Afternoon Tea. Here's what she thought:

Chelsea has an undoubted reputation as the place to be seen and The Gallery Mess offers a platform for this sort of show. With a line of tables on either side as you enter, all eyes are on you as you walk down a catwalk to your table, in a ‘Hall of Mirrors’ style shoot. Attached to the Saatchi, The Gallery Mess brings new meaning to the humble and understated cafe to pop into for a sit down and cuppa after seeing an exhibition. The main exhibit in The Gallery Mess is you and your fellow Chelsea girls and boat-shoe wearing sons who've sauntered in casually from the Kings Road, and if you don’t fit into these categories when you enter, you feel like you do when you leave.

The vibe is sophisticated and relaxed. The simple cutlery and thin china crockery, are sparsely set on the white, traditional table cloth, setting the scene for the elegant and (surprisingly) understated afternoon tea to come. The Gallery Mess offers a ‘modern afternoon tea’ in a modern dining room, yet the architectural backdrop of exposed brickwork and white groin vaulted ceilings really emphasises tradition.

The menu is not extensive when it comes to Afternoon Tea with the only choice being whether you want or don’t want the Pommery NV Brut Champagne, perhaps working on the principle of having something successful and simple, and sticking to it. The Gallery Mess is less like an officers eatery as its name suggests, but more like a Japanese verandah, a roofed but open pillared gallery with a feel of indoor/outdoor space, fresh with natural light which hits the glass teapots, making them sparkle. The view is of a private school field filled with children playing lacrosse in perfectly dirty uniforms, a little (and sweet) reminder that you're in an upmarket neighborhood.

Well-risen and warm scones are served untraditionally along side the canapé sizes sweet bites on a modest slate cake stand with two tiers. Although different from the Hotel style triple stand, this fitted in well with the vibe and the setting, not overwhelming but still special. The champagne served in tall glasses, bubbly and picturesque in the flooding light, gave the celebratory edge to what is a reasonable £30 Afternoon Tea for two. Sandwiches were on white and brown leaving behind any special breads and were filled with the norm of cucumber and salmon etc. but these were done well.

The fruit tarts (raspberry, blueberry and cranberry) were too tart and much too small for one person but the pastry was excellent with no soggy bottoms in sight. The jelly was unrefined but tingled as a necessary palette freshener after the rich and delicious treacle and honeycomb square.

It is obvious that The Gallery Mess is not solely for Afternoon Tea. Although loose leaf and quality for the price, the range of tea is small and the vague history and description of the tea’s given by the staff doesn't cover all bases for an avid and knowledgable tea lover. Despite this however, the staff are the one aspect of the restaurant which prevent it from becoming pretentious and are always on hand for extra cakes - so because of this it was enjoyable having an Earl Grey without any frills.

Sorcha-Mae Stott-Strzala is a videographer and live artist. 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

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: The Great John Street Hotel, Manchester

Last week The Afternoon Tea Club were invited to one of Manchester's premier Afternoon Tea destinations to sample some of their high class delicacies and be stars for the day!

Street View

Environment

Caroline:

It’s easy to see why Great John Street Hotel is the residence of choice for many visiting celebrities. Located a comfortable distance away from the City’s busy shopping district, close to Granada Studios, this boutique hotel offers its guests the very best luxury experience, without being pretentious. As a four star hotel, Great John Street has clear credentials and these are evident from the moment that you walk through the door. Greeted by floods of paparazzi outside, you know that you have entered somewhere special and the hotel certainly doesn’t disappoint. 

Lounge Area

Inside the environment is refreshingly relaxed and immediately makes you feel at home. Their comfortable lounge area is furnished to a high standard with an eclectic combination of leather and velvet chairs, which are wonderfully offset by an interesting mix of feature pieces, including old books, luggage boxes, tea lights and a particularly impressive clock. 

Great John Street’s ability to mark itself as a premier class environment whilst still being homely is a credit to its design team - proving that traditional comfort can be classy! 

Delicious!

Laura:
Entering Great John Street via a cluster of photographers makes you think, ‘okay, this place must be pretty special’. Well we’re here to tell you – pretty and special are this tea room’s middle names.  

‘Great John Street’ suggests an image of archaic builds and traditional furnishings yet one look at this gorgeous hotel and those conventional assumptions are shattered by a sense of sleek and welcoming modernity.

Our afternoon tea was served in the Osyster Bar, a section of the lounge which is decked out in a contemporary sitting room style. Rich textures and homely cushions invite you to make yourself at home and the luxurious sofas will entice you to find an excuse not to leave!

Soft lighting, neutral tones, clusters of clocks and mismatched china give it a truly unique character.

The atmosphere here is perfectly relaxing, with a great mix of people being drawn in by GJS’s effortless charm.

Yum

Food

Caroline:
The food at Great John Street is nothing short of a triumph. The definition of indulgence, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied with their decadent selections which include a coffee and vanilla cupcake, red velvet and meringue sponge, and a lovely chocolate and strawberry cake. My favourite of this selection had to be the red velvet which was wonderfully sweet and gooey - the perfect dessert. Similarly their presentation was beautiful, with pretty sugar decorations and a particularly impressive caramel rose enhancing the display. Red berries and  summer fruits also framed the silver cake stand, creating an enchanting visual. Their finger sandwiches too were delightful and offered a choice of Beef and Horseradish, Salmon, Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Ham and Mustard, and Egg, whilst their 'Mighty Leaf' Tea was served in abundance.

The overall feel of this composition was one of great sophistication, with a wonderful mix of flavours and textures, which set it apart as being one of the best in Manchester. My absolute favourite to date.

Spun Sugar and Cream Anyone?

Laura:

This is certainly one of the most impressive looking afternoon teas we have ever seen – very rich and all three tiers are bursting with garnishes and edible decorations.  This bold look really shouldn’t work yet it absolutely does – and very well, might I add. Who wouldn’t want a caramel rose on their plate?

Our champagne tea began with a glass of Perrier Jouet champagne, fashioned with a refreshing strawberry followed by an unlimited supply of coffee – so far so good!

To start we had a great range of sandwiches with a good mix of breads and fillings. I think we’re both fans of the salmon finger sandwich at the minute but my favourite on this occasion were the beef and horseradish.

Tea for Two

To follow, we indulged in some gorgeously soft fruit scones with homemade jam and cream. I don’t think that any of our readers need reminding just how big a fan of scones I am, but just in case – I was a teeny bit excited about these little beauties and I was not disappointed.

Overflowing on the bottom tier of our 3 layer stand was a range of pretty cakes and treats. I must admit, I have been waiting for an afternoon tea to feature cupcakes and GJS was the first to adhere to my wish. A red velvet cupcake with a soft meringue top certainly made for a very interesting dessert. I especially loved the surprise layer inside that resembled an Oreo cookie. We were also spoiled with coffee cake and a wonderful slice of chocolate sponge to finish. All of the rich flavours complimented each other really well and made for a fabulous selection.

Scones

Service

Caroline:

The service at Great John Street Hotel was incredibly warm and hospitable. From the moment that we stepped through the door until the moment we reluctantly left, we were made to feel very much at home. Our waiter and waitress for the afternoon were very attentive and made sure that our tea cups were topped and our needs catered for throughout. Their service cannot be faulted. 

Pretty Tea Service

Laura:

Definitely some of the best service we have ever come across on our tea shop travels. Our servers gave us exactly the right amount of attention and not once did we have to ask for our tea to be topped up. The staff were courteous and friendly, even greeting us as we entered the building to guide us to our table. I could not have asked for any more – top marks!

Champagne

Overall Thoughts

Caroline:

I'd heard some wonderful things about Great John Street Hotel in the past, so was very excited to be visiting - They didn’t disappoint. Everything from start to finish was top notch and I wouldn’t hesitate to come back again!

Laura:

I would love to visit GJS during the evening as I can imagine it’s a great place to unwind with a cocktail or two after work. It’s high class all the way but what is so great about this venue is its ability to make you feel special without compromising its genuine personality. It was one of the most relaxing afternoons I have ever had. If you’re after somewhere with great surroundings and want to feel spoiled – look no further than Great John Street.

Cupcake Rating:



Plus The Golden Cupcake...



Great John Street Hotel is located on Great John Street, near Granada Studios, Manchester City Centre. Afternoon Tea Prices range from £19.50 - £25.00 pp (Ladies and Gentleman Jack Afternoon Teas). 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.   

Interview: Chris Hook, Warburtons' Newburn Bakehouse

Warburtons recently invited a group of hungry bloggers to their very own Newburn Bakehouse in Newcastle - home of their fantastic Free From range. We caught up the Chris Hook, Managing Director at the Newburn Bakehouse to talk about their exciting new range, donuts and of course, afternoon tea!

ATC: Why did Warburtons revamp and rebrand their Free From range – how has it been received?

CH: We launched the new brand Newburn Bakehouse, to give it its own identity – which is good because it offers a lot more stand out value on the shelf. We did a lot of market research before we even launched which proved that Warbutons needed a sub-brand.

What we’re doing is improving the recipes. Warburtons launched the range in 2011 and it wasn’t as ideal as they wanted it to be – so we spent a fair amount of time getting the recipes up to a level which was more acceptable. The improvement programme continues – we never really stop.

What new products are being launched by the Newburn Bakehouse?

Some of the new products that we’re launching include; a white baguette, 600g seeded loaf and also a golden syrup and mixed fruit muffin – which we’re calling a morning muffin.

It’s interesting because people were saying what they would really like is a larger sliced loaf that doesn’t get lost in the toaster! And when we first showed it, it was a bit of a Blue Peter ‘Here’s one we made earlier’ moment, as the 600g loaf is just like a normal loaf of bread.

It’s exciting and it’s challenging. When you start out, you look for what the gaps in the market are but you also look for what consumers are looking for.

The real challenge is trying to translate those ideas and concepts into real products – that’s when the real hard work starts.

Can any bakery product be made gluten free or are there some things that just don’t work?

Most things are doable but some are more challenging than others. One thing that’s been asked for a number of times is a donut. And doing a donut is doable but because it’s a fresh product you have to eat it within a day and that’s a real challenge. Those are the areas that are challenging and we try to find ways around that.

What does the new brand stand for?

We are trying to benchmark our products not just against other competitors but also against what our colleagues bake in what we call, the ‘core bakery’ - so the normal Warburtons products.  Our aspiration is to make them taste as good as they do in the core bakery and also appear, look, taste and feel like the real product.

There are products even in our range now that I would challenge anyone to say are gluten free. For example the muffins and spiced fruit loaf. I know people who eat the Newburn Bakehouse spiced fruit loaf out of choice because they like the taste.

What is your favourite product from the new Free From range?

I think the baguettes are fantastic and a close second would be the seeded loaf. I took that one home whilst we were developing it. I’ve got 6 children and my oldest son is wheat intolerant. I just slipped it in and nobody could tell the difference.  



And finally, are you a fan of afternoon tea?

I’m a great fan of afternoon tea. I’m a fan of tea and cake and also toasted tea cakes! I’ve just had one of our gluten free tea cakes actually.

My favourite part of afternoon tea would have to be the selection of little cakes, especially those in hotels!

Any favourite afternoon tea places?

Probably the Grosvenor in Chester and also Bettys – they’re fantastic in there.

We'll have to check that one out! For all the latest updates on Warburtons Newburn Bakehouse be sure to follow @WarbsNewburnBH on Twitter and make sure you check back with us when we sample and give our verdict on their brand new range!

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.