The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Chocolate and Orange Scones by Sconnoisseur

A few weeks ago the guys at Sconnoisseur (cool name, right?) sent across a lovely parcel of Chocolate and Orange scones for us to try out. Now, I'm not usually a fan of chocolate orange treats - show me a Chocolate Orange at Xmas and I'll run for the hills - but after looking through the Sconnoisseur site and seeing the team's commitment to using only the finest ingredients and luxury combinations, I knew I had to give them a go.

For around £11 you can buy a box of four individually wrapped scones, with jam and tea, and whilst this may be a little more expensive than supermarket varieties, the Sconnoisseur presentation really makes the product, offering a bit of luxury for those after a treat - just look at that box!

Flavourwise, they don't disappoint either with the subtle blend of chocolate and citrus combining really well to create a zesty but dense scone - making for a lovely alternative to the traditional raisin and a far cry from the overpowering chocolate orange sweets I've tried in the past.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend Sconnoisseur to anyone looking to treat a loved one to Afternoon Tea at home - a great way to inject a bit of luxury into your celebrations!

Take a look at the full range of Sconnoisseur goodies here

What's your favourite variety of scone?

  

The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Fancie, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield

Last week we were invited by the fabulous folk at Fancie Sheffield to sample their latest Afternoon Tea - being the tea lovers that we are, we were only too happy to oblige!

Time for Tea!

Environment 

Laura:

Arriving up the Ecclesall Road strip, there is an eclectic mix of eateries, unique boutique shops and student hangouts. Subtly positioned along this vibrant mix, Fancie’s Canteen and Bakery sits modestly with a white exterior and understated logo but with a fabulous display of cakes that are sure to lure you in.

Once inside, any false impressions of an overload of pink and fluffy are lost and replaced by bare brickwork (one of my favourite things –just ever!), natural wood, mismatched vintage china and gorgeous centre pieces.This is afternoon tea meets Sex And The City power lunch. 

Cakey Treats

Our table was already set with floral teacups and seal-top jars holding flower arrangements and all important sugar cubes. I loved the red lantern house table decorations as the pillar-box shade worked to bring the rest of the table to life.

The seating arrangement was also really nice. A mix of painted garden furniture, wooden chairs and recently fitted bench seating in the bay ofthe window. There are a great range of table sizes too which makes Fancie the ideal place for a quick coffee catch up or a full on afternoon tea treat with the family.

Cute Accessories

Caroline:
With four outlets across Sheffield and a selection of cupcakes to die for, Fancie‘s distinctive yet versatile interiors mark its unique appeal, offering a selection of eclectic designs to suit all tastes. 

A contrast to its original Cath Kidston-esque sister, their new flagship bakery on Ecclesall Road offers a relaxed warehouse-style environment, ideal for an informal afternoon tea. The exposed brickwork walls and rough wooden floors, create a rural feel which is quite different to anywhere we’ve been before, whilst the quirky crates and old-school-style blackboards accent this theme perfectly - I particularly liked the luggage tagged glass bottle which marked our table and the fairy light lined windows, which I thought added a very pretty contrast to the wooden interior.

Food

Laura:

The one thing I am always looking for with every afternoon tea we try is that one unique feature that sets it aside from the rest. Fancie has just that. If not for its gorgeous vintage china coupled with contemporary tea stands and hotchpotch furniture, the menu alone makes it worth the trip.

To start, we had a fantastic range of sandwiches, with more than enough to set us off in style. Fillings included classic cucumber, cheese and chutney, ham and whole grain mustard – gorgeously thick slices by the way,and smoked salmon. The salmon was my favourite although I did love the hot mustard filling with the ham – yum!

Next up – and might I add, what was Fancie’s trump card for me – amazing home-made puff pastry sausage rolls. I had never come across this before with afternoon tea and I just thought it was a fabulous idea. It made a typical party nibble feel grown up and posh – I’m not ashamed to say my share may have included some of Caroline’s too!

Then came the scones – an afternoon tea staple, yet even this key layer came presented with a twist. With a touch of cinnamon these werepre-cut into bitesize pieces which had a real homemade rustic texture. They were simply gorgeous and a great alternative to the traditional treat. There was plenty of Catherine’s Choice Jam and Clotted Cream to go around too!

And finally, it has to be said, one of my favourite afternoon tea desserts is a gold old cupcake and since these are a staple at Fancie, we were treated to four of their signature flavours – Victoria Mini, Chocolate Mini, Hazelnut Mini and Butterscotch Mini. I tried the Hazelnut and Butterscotch, they were both lovely and fluffy with perfectly smooth buttercream – I could have happily eaten them all. To accompany, we were treated to a few more bitesize favourites including a chocolate tiffin, chocolate brownie, Rocky Road and strawberries. I am a huge fan of Rocky Road so I was super excited to see that on the menu – chock full of marshmallows, just the way I like it!

We were also given a choice of Twining’s loose leaf infusion teas. As a recent Peppermint Tea convert I choose this option which came with plenty of refills.

This is one afternoon tea were flawless presentation definitely lives up to the taste.

Yum!

Caroline:

Traditional but with a distinctly Yorkshire twist, the Fancie Afternoon Tea is certainly something to behold. Presented on simple, modern stands which contrast wonderfully with their glass tea pots and beautiful vintage tea services, this tea has all the classics and then some - also offering a few unexpected twists along the way.

The menu itself is vast and includes lots of flavourful goodies such as: Finger Sandwiches - Cucumber, Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese, Cheese & Chutney and Ham & Wholegrain Mustard (Four of each); Mini Fancie Sausage Rolls(Yum); Fancie Scones (with Catherine’s choice of jam and clotted cream); and Fancie Cakes (too delicious to mention without getting hunger pangs, but here goes: mini Victoria Cupcake, Nutty-Rocky Road, Chocolate Brownie/Tiffin and Chocolate Cupcake!

Scone Slices

Out of this selection, my favourite had to be the Scones which were served in bite-size slices with lots of jam and cream - an absolute god-send for a messy scone eater like myself, and everso dainty. Other favourites included the Cheese and Chutney sandwiches, which I enjoyed so much that I had to steal some of Laura’s to satisfy my craving for more (they are seriously good, made with brilliantly soft bread). Off the top tier I LOVED the tiffin, which as a longstanding favourite of mine was a more than welcome addition to the cake selection - especially alongside the nutty bite-size rocky road and strawberry bites which were little pieces of Heaven.

Tea

For my tea, I went for the old faithful Earl Gray, which as usual, didn't disappoint. (I particularly liked the eclectic mix of vintage china and modern glass tea pots, which offered a quirky and off-beat dynamic to the tea taking ceremony.)

Teacup

Service

Laura:

The service at Fancie was spot on. Our order was taken rightaway and we were approached at just the right intervals. The staff were very friendly and happy to chat with us when taking our order – a really lovely team.

Caroline: 
In alignment with its setting, the service at Fancie was warm and welcoming, making our afternoon very enjoyable. The service style was friendly, with staff displaying a good product knowledge and enthusiasm for the brand.

 

Overall Thoughts

Laura:

Fancie has found the perfect balance between vintage and contemporary by combining the best of tradition with the practicality of modern dining. By thinking outside of the box, Fancie’s talented chefs have created an afternoon tea that stands out for its creativity and attention to detail. Two hours on a train is a long way for cake … but so worth it.

Caroline:
I really loved our day out at Fancie and would recommend to anyone. For excellent food in a relaxed and informal environment, you really can’t go wrong - a great place for students, families and business men alike - pay them a visit soon!

Cupcake Rating:

Fancie is located on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield. Afternoon Tea is served between 2-5pm, and priced at £12.95 pp. For more information, menus and how to book a table please visit their website HERE

LOOK OUT FOR OUR REVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL FANCIE CUPCAKERY LATER THIS WEEK!

DISCLAIMER: 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.  

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.   

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: 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. 

The Great British Afternoon Tea

There's nothing more British than a good-old-fashioned afternoon tea and since we at ATC have something of a penchant for the pastime, we couldn't let a week of national celebration go by without doing something special to mark it. So in the true spirit of the occasion, we've gone off in search of your favourite post-noon treats, seeking out the help of our lovely twitter friends along the way. Here are a few of our favourites...


1. Afternoon Tea at Lands End



This delicious looking cream tea was taken by @lindaloves2012 at Lands End. We're not sure which tea room it's originated from, but coming from the home of the cream tea - cornwall - we're betting that it was truely scrumptious. The clotted cream in particular looks amazing. Certainly one to look out for if you're ever in the area!


2. Eilis and Kat's Afternoon Tea.



You don't have to travel far for a yummy afternoon tea if you've got the right ingredients at home. Check out these creative cakey treats submitted by @goodgobbleblog who spent an afternoon with two little helpers, making banana and chocolate sour cream cake. Check out their blog for the recipe -we're thinking of giving it a go too!

GOODGOBBLE BLOG

3. "High Tea" at Hilton Deansgate, Manchester

This fancy little afternoon treat was submitted by @cakesbysian from her visit to Cloud 23 at the Hilton Deansgate.

Their special “High Teas” are served between noon and 4 pm daily and serve up some of the best tea – and views – the city has to offer.

For £16.95 you can treat yourself to a selection of fingersandwiches, scones and a choice of cakes from eclairs to Victoria sponge plusunlimited tea or coffee. If you’re feeling fancy, make it a champagne afternoonfor an extra £10.

Hilton’s Cloud 23 is the epitome of modern, city chic décor.Mesh seats, high tables and even a private lift to get you there, it reallydoes make you feel on top of the world.

WEBSITE


4. Bistro 1847, Manchester

@VintageMCR recommended an afternoon at Manchester's only vegetarian bistro. Looking at the yummy photos on their website - their afternoon tea might be worth turning veggie for the afternoon!

Below is a photo from @VintageMCR's visit to the Bistro. Check out their review HERE


BISTRO 1847 WEBSITE

5. The Ash Tea Rooms, Reddish



This elegant afternoon tea was tweeted by @ChattyMand from her visit to this quaint tea room in Stockport. Beautifully presented and those freshly baked scones look absolutely delicious. We're adding this one to our cake bucket list!

WEBSITE

MENU
We don't know about you, but all this talk of tea and cake has got us feeling everso slightly peckish, so we're off out to find ourselves some early-evening-afternoon-tea...
We'll be back soon with some more reviews from our travels, but in the meantime, if you have any comments or pictures that you'd like to share with us, then send them to theafternoonteaclub@hotmail.co.uk or drop us a tweet @TeacupReview.

Happy National Afternoon Tea Week Everyone!


- Laura and Caroline

National Afternoon Tea Week

Yesterday marked the start of National Afternoon Tea week and with us being everso slightly partial to a bit of tea and cake, we got very excited at the prospect of a whole week dedicated to our favourite pastime!

So what is National Afternoon Tea Week?

In their press release afternoontea.co.uk said this...

NATIONAL AFTERNOON TEA WEEK - BRITAIN CELEBRATES A GREAT TRADITION

It has been a year of celebrations with the Diamond Jubilee and Team GB success at the Olympics igniting a renewed sense of patriotism. The celebrations continue during National Afternoon Tea Week from 13^th to 19^th August.

Keith Newton, Managing Director of AfternoonTea.co.uk says "Afternoon Tea is more popular than ever and bookings through the AfternoonTea.co.uk website are up by over 25% on the same time last year".

"National Afternoon Tea Week is our way of celebrating a great British tradition. We want to encourage more people to try it for the first time and have negotiated some fabulous discounts during August"

Over 30 venues in London and across the UK are offering 25% off Afternoon Tea, including 5-star Brown's Hotel in Mayfair, famous as the inspiration for Agatha Christie's ‘At Bertram's Hotel'.

Afternoon Tea is also very child friendly and makes a great family treat during the summer holidays. Some hotels even offer special children's menus at a fraction of the adult price.

Keith Newton added that "Afternoon Tea seems to be recession proof. It's a special treat, an occasional indulgence. You can get Afternoon Tea from just £10 in central London and our customers like the fact that it's a fixed price, with no surprises."

National Afternoon Tea Week run from 13^th to 19^th August, with exclusive offers and discounts available throughout August at www.afternoontea.co.uk.

Are you as excited as we are?

At the Afternoon Tea Club HQ we like to celebrate things, so to mark this exciting tea-filled week, we want to hand the reviewing power over to you, by featuring YOUR afternoon teas. Be they a cake and coffee at Starbucks, or a full blown finger sandwich fest at the Ritz, we want to see where you're going and what you've been eating.

To get involved all you need to do is tweet or email us your pictures along with a few words about where they're from to theafternoonteaclub@hotmail.co.uk

We can't wait to see what yummy treats you have in store for us!

Lots of Love

Laura and Caroline
(The Afternoon Tea Club)

X

Home Sweet Home, Edge Street, Manchester

Environment

Laura: Well when they named it ‘Home Sweet Home’ they got it spot on. Immediately we were welcomed into this lovely environment that felt like someone’s humble yet modern kitchen. A refreshing style based on home comforts sets the perfect ambience for an afternoon (or evening as it’s open ‘til late!) with friends. Little accents of household objects such as board games, books and even cereal boxes made me feel like I was dining in a really kooky B&B. I really loved it!

Caroline: This café is one of the loveliest places we've visited so far on our travels. Its off beat, homely style, blends the modern with the traditional, providing the perfect atmosphere to enjoy one of their numerous edible delights! This home from home is accentuated wonderfully with various quirky features, including book lined archways and an ever so cool Kit-Kat Clock!

Food

Laura: I was super excited about trying the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies at Home Sweet Home. They take about 15 mins to be made but are most certainly worth the wait. Perfectly moist and still gooey warm from the oven, served with a glass of milk for dipping. For just £3 you get five cookies, now you can hardly argue with that! I also chose a cold drink to end our visit which came in the form of a retro Coca Cola glass bottle. A lovely touch and surprisingly cheap again at £2.20 a bottle.

Caroline: This week I moved away from cupcakes and opted for a traditional fruit scone with Jam and Cream - Needless to say it was lovely. I particularly liked the fact that it was warmed through before service, which made it extra delicious. Like the cookies, it was also very reasonably priced at just £3, and was definitely worth the money!

To drink I also had a bit of a change, opting for a sparkling water at £2 a bottle and as far as water goes it was very nice!

Service

Laura: I certainly felt right at home when we were greeted the minute we stepped through the doors. Our server was very quick to ask for our orders and made sure to inform of the wait time for my cookies. The friendly and enthusiastic staff were extremely polite and attentive to our needs. Smiles all round!

Caroline: The service at 'Home Sweet Home' was everything I could have asked for and more. All of the staff were incredibly friendly and greeted us as soon as we entered, offering prompt service and looking after us throughout our entire afternoon. Top marks!

Overall Thoughts

Laura: I will certainly be making another visit to Home Sweet Home. Where else can you get freshly baked cookies for such a great price in Manchester? Next time I’d love to try one of their fabulous sharer desserts which looked ever so tempting. Gorgeous place, a great mix of people, why wouldn’t I want to go again?!

Caroline: This has to be one of the best places to spend an afternoon in Manchester. Warm, friendly and comfortable - I can't fault it at all. I will definitely be back!

Cupcake Rating: