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).
