Sugar Junction, 19th May 2013
This week was going to be a weekend off until a friend recommended we try Sugar Junction, in Manchester. To be honest we had never heard of it, but we got the link to the website and it looked really nice. Through a last minute couple of tweets with them I reserved a table for 2pm and very glad that I did as when we arrived it was very busy and within half an hour it had become a 30 minute wait for any new diners.
We eventually found this great vintage cafe in Tib Street in the Northern Quarter, courtesy of Google maps on the iPhone. If anyone is thinking of going and I highly recommend you do, then head for Afflecks Palace and keep going straight ahead. It is opposite a military clothing store.
As ever we were a little early and it was very busy, we were initially seated downstairs but very quickly a window table became available and we were offered the chance to move which we did. I had read a few reviews online and they suggested trying a milkshake so before the afternoon tea we ordered two. I opted for a vanilla and marshmallow one and Paul went with a Chai shake, I have to say mine was good but his was awesome.
The venue is very vintage in style and the girls are all dressed and made up to match. It is all odd and yet matching at the same time. It is very cosy but you are not squashed in, downstairs also has a mini mezzanine with two small tables for two.
As usual we opted for traditional afternoon tea, there is an option to have it with Prosecco if you prefer. I had English tea which was loose and Paul opted for his usual Latte. The tea came in a traditional vintage teapot with a strainer and saucer, the latte came in a very large tea cup - it worked though.
For the record there are a number of different teas and coffees available and the Japanese Cherry tea sounds really nice.
We could choose the type of sandwiches if we wanted to from a choice of four, ideal if you are vegetarian and they can cater for gluten free sufferers upon request. We ordered a selection as we like the element of surprise.
The afternoon tea was served on a traditional cake stand (all the crockery and cutlery is vintage in style).
The lowest tier came with six mini muffins (AKA baps or rolls), all white with ham and chutney, egg, salmon and cucumber and goats cheese with red pepper. The baps are made by one of the oldest local bakeries in Manchester and were very fresh and tasty. These are mini but much bigger than the usual fingers given with afternoon tea, so quite filling.
The middle tier had two very large fruit scones and these were served with what appeared to be homemade strawberry jam and two little pots of clotted cream. The middle tier was also used along with the top tier for the mini cakes.
The cakes included a blueberry muffin (AKA fairy cake) with three Cheerios on top with a blueberry, a peanut butter muffin/fairy cake with peanut brittle on top, two chocolate brownies with half of a fresh strawberry on top and two macaroons.
All of the food was excellent and very fresh and with regard to service, part way through I was given extra water for the tea and then not long after offered a fresh pot. The service was very good indeed, with no pressure to rush and the atmosphere and setting makes it an excellent afternoon tea experience.
The price is £15.50 per person (£19.95 if Prosecco chosen) and although more expensive than some others, it is less than Opus One in the city and much better. We were so full, that we had to bring the chocolate brownies and macaroons home as we simply could not eat them. In fact we have only just had them some 5 hours later and no further food is needed as we are still full.
This is a great venue for many reasons and a must to visit if you are in Manchester City, but if you are planning a visit at the weekend then reserving a table is highly recommended or the likely hood is you wont get in.
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