The Chocolate Cafe, Ramsbottom

The Chocolate Cafe, 7th December 2013

The last afternoon tea of the year and this one was free! This was from a competition that I entered with Norther Star IFA and I won. The perfect prize from my perspective.

There was no need to book so we turned up on the Saturday afternoon with gift voucher in hand. 

We looked at the menu and noticed that it is the cafes own take on the afternoon tea and not what one would call truly traditional. You can choose any sandwich or drink from the menu rather than a selection of fingers.

  

We ordered tea (tea bag) and a latte and they were served in white crockery and very nice. Both drinks were served with a chocolate stick (I am sure there is a proper name for them) which was a nice touch.

We both opted for the beef sandwich which was with hindsight a rather silly thing to do; the sandwiches were served on chunky bread (very fresh) and in quarters so if we had chosen a different one each we could have shared. 

The afternoon tea was served on a three tier stand but it was in plastic! For us this was a bit of a let down as it cheapened the whole experience, I felt like I was at a children's party.

The sandwiches were served with salad, coleslaw and some crisps. The beef sandwiches were very good and as I said the bread was very fresh.

The scones were of a good size and there was plenty of jam and cream with them.

Being at the Chocolate Cafe, they specialise in chocolate so when it came to the treats/mini cakes on the top tier there was a great choice of things that you would not normally get. The coffee cake was lovely, and then the selection of chocolate pieces.

If we had paid for this it would have been £25 for the two us. The Chocolate Cafe is an experience to go to but not necessarily for their afternoon tea in the traditional sense. It has their own twist which is great but the plastic tier really did let the experience down for us, it cheapened it.  The food though was very good and I would recommend a trip to the cafe as there are so many great chocolate things to choose from it is something else.

The Chocolate Cafe

Lowry Hotel, Manchester

The Lowry Manchester, Friday 15th November 2013

This was booked by phone as part of our wedding anniversary treat as we were staying at the hotel. The cost per person is just £22.50 which considering the venue is very good value.

As this was at a five star hotel we did expect something special and to be honest we were not disappointed. We were seated in the restaurant in a very comfortable booth.

The service was, as you would expect first class. We were offered a choice of traditional or champagne afternoon tea and as normal we opted for the traditional. Paul as ever was on coffee and was given a number of options including latte, mocha and cappuccino etc. 

I was offered a wide variety of tea and a selection was brought for me to smell and it was very nice to be served by someone who knew about the different teas on offer.

Both tea and coffee were offered with refills and the option to have a different type. I opted initially for the rosebud tea simply as the aroma was something else.

As you can see the tea was served in a glass teapot and was very flavoursome.

The crockery was all white and the cutlery of a very high standard along with the high quality linen. We were asked if we had any special dietary requirements and as we hadn't the traditional food was ordered and served. 

The food arrived on a modern three tier stand with warm scones served to the side in linen napkin. There were two scones each, one plain and one raisin one served with strawberry preserve and fresh cream.

The sandwiches consisted off a salmon roulade, egg and cress, ham, cheese; and cucumber. There was a mixture of brown and white bread. All fresh and very tasty.

The deserts included a wonderful pistachio and rhubarb type mousse (one of my favourite desserts).

The other treats included a mini chocolate and coffee choux bun, a vanilla macaroon and a strawberry tart. All of which were first class and most enjoyable.

As I mentioned earlier we were offered more drinks and for my second pot I opted for the blackcurrant and vanilla which was served again in a glass teapot and was again exceptional. 

As with all my afternoon tea visits, I look at them as a treat. These are much more than going for coffee and cake, for me it is an experience and a real treat. I realise that you could go for a main meal for the same price but it is the event and to be honest on this occasion we were too full to eat it all. The staff offered to box it up and send it to our room for us and that was appreciated. On this point when it arrived it was served with cutlery and linen.

This does happen to be a sister hotel to the magnificent Hotel De Rome in Berlin.

This was yet another superb afternoon tea, with perfect service, delightful and knowledgeable staff; and wonderful food. It was an experience and a great wedding anniversary treat. There is no doubt that this was one of the top afternoon teas that I have had and the best in Manchester (so far anyway).

The Riverside Restaurant, The Lowry Hotel

Bertram's, Burnley, Lancashire

Bertram's Burnley 13th October 2013

Called on the Saturday for the Sunday to book a table for two and had no problem with getting a reservation. I have had afternoon tea once before here as part of a networking event but wanted to try it out for real as a treat and in detail with hubby. The cost was £13.95 per person so not the cheapest but not the most expensive.

We arrived early but this wasn't a problem (probably due to the fact that there were not many people there). We were seated by the window which overlooks the outside spa area with fields beyond. The restaurant is very relaxing, it is warm and quiet with relaxing music making it very comfortable. You are made to feel welcome and there is no rush.

We were offered tea and coffee as soon as we were seated and advised that the afternoon tea cam with a selection of sandwiches and cakes.

The tea was a very nice afternoon tea blend and was loose tea, on request there was no problem with getting further hot water to make further cups. The coffee was served in a small cafetiere with plenty of milk and sugar. More coffee was available at no extra cost.

The drinks were served with a small piece of home made flapjack which again was a very nice touch.

The food arrived and not on one two tier stand but two, we had one each. These tiers are incredibly heavy and made from slate, very nice.

As you can see from the photo the presentation is exceptional. There were four sandwich quarters, to egg and watercress and two ham and mustard. the bread was very fresh and of good quality. In addition, there was a very good parma ham focaccia and mozzarella and tomato crostini with tapenade.

The scone was a cherry scone served with strawberry jam in a nice little pot with plenty of fresh cream. The nice touch of having small spoons for different things was appreciated.

The deserts consisted of a chocolate and pistachio brownie, an expresso tiramisu and and raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake.

Overall this was a treat, I thought it was very good value for money and we were very full when we left. We certainly did not need to cook that evening. It is always surprising when you think about what you have in terms of four quarters of sandwiches and small cakes but it really was very filling. It was great to have refills of tea and coffee as you do need those extra cups when there is so much filling food.

The service was very good and the quality of the cutlery and crockery was very high, the attention to detail was there and that makes it special. 

Bertram's, Crow Wood, Burnley

The Hungry Duck, Ramsbottom

The Hungry Duck, Ramsbottom 29th September 2013

This trip was not booked, we turned up and chose the afternoon tea for two option from the menu. It is £8.50 per person or £14.50 for two and says a selection of sandwiches and cakes. The staff are very nice and we were attended to quickly.

We were served the tea and coffee quickly after ordering and it was OK, the tea was a tea bag not loose but a nice taste. The food is made to order so it does take time as expected, as afternoon tea should be an experience anyway this is more than fine. We were not offered extra tea of coffee as with some places but then again this is not as expensive as others.

The food was served on plain white matching crockery and a two tier afternoon tea tier and as for presentation again it was OK, nothing wrong with it but just didn't have the wow factor.

As you can see from the photo compared to other afternoon teas this is somewhat lacking. Don't get me wrong the actual food was excellent. I will say that the salmon sandwich was the nicest tasting that I have ever had. The other sandwiches were cheese and tomato and a lovely chicken with a tasty mayonnaise. The carrot cake was also very good indeed, lovely and moist but there was just one regular piece of cake not a selection of small ones as is usually the case.

As with the other food the scones were very fresh but they came pre cut with jam and cream already added. Some may like this but personally I like to add my own so that I can choose how much to add to it. The strawberry was a nice touch.

The Hungry Duck is a small restaurant/coffee shop in the centre of Ramsbottom. It is clean and welcoming but I would class it more as a coffee shop than a restaurant. The wooden tables and chairs are comfortable and for coffee and cake a great pit stop. The food is very good but for afternoon tea it is lacking that something that makes it a special occasion, I think it is a combination of the atmosphere and the presentation not having the wow factor when it arrives. 

If you are in town and looking for somewhere for something to eat or drink then I would say definitely go here as the quality of the food is very good. As for having afternoon tea here, it is one of the less expensive afternoon teas that we have had, but  for us not special enough. If you are looking for a special treat then there are other venues where for a little more you do get a true experience.

The Hungry Duck, Ramsbottom

Cloud 23 at The Hilton Hotel, Manchester

Cloud 23, Sunday 4th August 2013

We booked online on the morning and as with many the online booking lets you choose your time. there was plenty of availability even with short notice and we chose mid afternoon.

On arrival at the hotel it is quite grand in that you have your own lift that only goes to the 23rd floor and it has a personal attendant with the guest list.

Once on floor 23 the greeter is ready to seat you and it is all very nice indeed. We were fortunate as we were given a window seat and the views are something else.

We were offered a traditional afternoon tea with or without Champagne. The cost is normally £19.95 per person but at weekends has a £3 supplement per person. you are given a choice of teas and coffees to choose from and you do get refills as and when necessary. On this one occasion we opted for the Champagne version which is exactly the same but £10 per person more for one glass of rose with a strawberry. (Not worth it in our opinion but then we are not Champagne drinkers).

The service was excellent it cannot be faulted from start to finish.

The drinks were served first, the coffee was a decent size and the pot of tea and crockery all matched. It was a tea bag tough not loose tea.

The food arrived and as you would expect it was very nicely presented, but the sandwiches were far from traditional.

There was a tuna triangle, a couscous wrap, a chicken wrap and a mushroom tart. To be honest had I known that these were on offer I would not have gone. As it happens Paul and I shared but neither of us were overly impressed.

There was one small scone each served with a pot of jam each and a pot of cream to share and these were very nice.

For the cakes we had just three each and consisted of a chocolate macaroon, a fruit tart and a piece of coconut cake. All very nice but not out of this world. 

Over all the experience was very good mainly for the view and the service but it was far from value for money. Having enjoyed a number of afternoon teas this year from small cafes to top London hotels this one was good but not wow. The chef is obviously very talented but this is not a traditional afternoon tea but an alternate version, fine but have a more traditional one as well. I think everyone should try Cloud 23 but whether that is for afternoon tea or for a cocktail is another matter.

Cloud 23, Hilton Hotel Manchester