The Afternoon Tea Club visits Bavaria

Last month, Caroline travelled to Austria to eat cake amongst the mountains. Read about her top finds here

Chocolate Cake

Birth place of Mozart and home of the Sound of Music, Salzburg is rich with cultural history. However, did you realise that they also have a pretty good reputation when it comes to cake? For example did you know that the city is home of the famous Sacher Hotel and its eponymous chocolate cake? No me neither. For some reason, I'd always thought that it came from France, which is why I'm sorry to say that I somehow managed to completely miss the hotel until my last night - as you do - so didn't get to sample the Sacher cake in all it's glory.

However, I'm sure that my Austrian chocolate cake pictured above was just as nice!

Strudel

When in Bavaria, it's almost a sin not to try some of the region's famous Apple Strudel. So in the interest of upholding tradition, I couldn't leave without sampling some for myself. Now, in Salzburg, strudel is fairly easy to come across, with every coffee shop having about three varieties in stock. During my visit, I tried out two of these varieties - traditional apple and the slightly more unusual vanilla cheese option. Out of the two, my fave was definitely the apple, although the cheese was delicious, perhaps just a little too rich for my taste.

There was a whole lot of other sweet treats but these were just a couple of my highlights. Where are you heading off to this summer? Let us know in the comments below :)

Don't forget that it's #AfternoonTeaWeek all this week, so why not join in the conversation at @TeacupReview and tweet us your afternoon tea pics. We can't wait to see you over there.

Caroline

Afternoon Tea Week: Tea Offers

Still deciding where to go for Afternoon Tea week? Let us help you!

We've noticed quite a few cool offers popping up online, so thought we'd pool together a few of our faves here:

- The Milestone Hotel are offering a free glass of champagne with every booking for #afternoonteaweek. As we said yesterday, we love love love the Milestone, so can definitely recommend this if you're after a little bit of luxury.

- Radisson Blu Edwardian, Manchester are offering 25% off all week. We've had the pleasure of visiting here a couple of times and can definitely vouch for their afternoon tea - be sure to book a table in their champagne bar!

- Harvey Nichols, Manchester is offering 25% off all week!

- Chester Grosvenor is offering something a little bit special, for those after an ultimate pamper session - afternoon tea and two spa treatments for £99pp - lush!

These are just a few of our faves. Afternoontea.co.uk have lots and lots of other cool discounts listed on their site, check them out here.

All information sourced from official twitter accounts. For booking and more information, please contact the venues directly.

Afternoon Tea Week: ATC Top Picks!

What better way to start our week long Afternoon Tea celebration, than with a look at our favourite UK afternoon tea venues. Take a look below for our top afternoon tea week tips.

 

 

1. Grand Pacific, Manchester

 

If you're looking for something a bit different this week, then the Grand Pacific in Manchester, might be just the thing for you. Attached to the prestigious Australasia restaurant, this is definitely a good choice if you're looking for something a little more high brow (yet still reasonably priced) 

 

We visited back in the spring and fell in love with their glamorous surroundings, sushi rolls and chicken salads.

 

2. The Milestone Hotel, London

The Milestone doesn't just shout tradition, it positively screams it. With informal, but elegant surroundings, this is the perfect venue for the authentic afternoon tea experience. With offerings for both ladies and gents, this has something for everyone and is about as good as you can get.

 

3. Annies, Manchester

 

Co-owened by Coronation Street's Jennie McAlpine, Annies Manchester, offers an all 'round home-made experience. With a rustic selection of chunky scones, home made Jams and chutney, this hidden gem, offers great value for money and a whole lot of character.

 

 

4. Fortnum and Mason, London

 

Synonymous with fine tea, the Fortnum's brand has long been a staple British classic. As you would expect, their afternoon tea is exquisite. With tea and cake on tap, what more could you ask?

 

 

5. Great John Street Hotel, Manchester

One of our favourite northern tea venues, Great John Street Hotel has everything - comfortable surroundings, relaxing music and a food selection to die for. A great one for relaxing on a week day!

 

 

6. Crewe Hall, Crewe

 

Another very traditional offering, only this time, in the North. Crewe Hall's picturesque location makes this tea one of the most idyllic of our selection. 

We were taken with it when we visited last year and know that you will be too!

 

Where will you be going for #AfternoonTeaWeek? Let us know in the comments below or on twitter at @TeacupReview

National Afternoon Tea Week 2014, 11th - 17th August

 

 

Well, it's that time of year again folks - National Afternoon Tea week - and as usual we're dusting off our teapots and preparing for a week of festivities. 

Starting with a roundup of our top afternoon tea picks on Monday 11th, we're going to be uploading a post every day next week, including a review of Caroline's Bavarian tea shop travels, your top tea room travels and the very best afternoon tea week discounts.

The lovely folk over at afternoontea.co.uk also have lots going on in celebration, so be sure to check them out if you're still on the lookout for afternoon tea inspiration.

In the meantime, let us know your tea plans in the comments below.

See you next week!

Laura & Caroline

 

Cake Break: Tea For Two, Widnes

There are so many great little tea shops popping up all over the place - we've been to our fair share as you can probably tell! What's more is, there's nothing better than when one crops up in your own town and so I was very excited when I spotted this cute little cafe called 

Tea For Two.

Tea For Two

Admittedly, I had noticed this shop before but hadn't yet visited due to force of habit taking me to my local - I know, shameful - bad blogger! However, I am so glad I decided to pop in last weekend as it is a completely different environment to anywhere else in the area. 

There's a retro vibe going on throughout with old posters, mismatched cups and saucers and even a beautiful serving trolley (I would have taken a pic but it was in use at the time and I didn't want to disturb another customer's Afternoon Tea!). Even the music is fitting to a time gone by with 1950's favourites playing throughout. The lovely lady who served us mentioned that some customers say they love visiting because it takes them back to their childhood which was lovely to hear. 

Cappuccino - minus one sip!

As this was just a quick coffee break, we just had drinks on this occasion but even they had little touches to make them a little more special. The cappuccino was generously coated in chocolate sprinkles and as you can see I was so eager to get started I took a sip before taking photos - bad blogger, again! The latte came with a cute heart decoration drawn on the side from chocolate topping too - simple but made for really nice presentation.

Lovely latte.

Overall, it was a lovely little find and a complete escape from the hustle and bustle of the town. There's a lesson to be learned here - always try new things. I may have found my new local.

Laura.

Have you found any hidden tea shop gems? Comment or Tweet us @TeacupReview