Nutters Restaurant, Rochdale

Nutters, Saturday 1st June 2013

Another last minute booking for afternoon tea, we called the Friday evening and had no problem in booking in for 3:30pm the following day.

We arrived early as always and were seated in the modern bar area. The building is a 19th Century former hall and subsequent military hospital that has been renovated and is very impressive, both inside and out.

At exactly 3:30 we were shown to our table in an area that is similar to a conservatory with a great view.  The tables are all set with white linen and white matching crockery and then there was the paper based menu that seemed out of place, although it did have a nice, brief history of afternoon tea on the inside.

We opted for the usual traditional afternoon tea for two, one with tea and one with coffee. There are options for other teas and I understand that they will cater for vegetarians and other special diets on request.

Service was prompt and we were offered free refills when the drinks were served and we just needed to ask. As it happened, the two pots were very large and as such no refills were needed. The coffee pot was some sort of thermos cafetiere which was by far the largest that we have had and it did keep the coffee hot throughout - nice touch for coffee drinkers. The downside here was that the tea was in bags and not loose which was a little surprising for such an establishment.

The food was served on a three tier stand and there was plenty of it.

The sandwich selection consisted of smoked salmon and cucumber, chicken mustard mayo, goats cheese with red onion chutney (amazing) and salt beef with shallots (also amazing). The bread was very fresh and the fillings very tasty. 

The choice of mini cakes was very impressive as you can see. Two different slices of fruit bread each, a fruit tart, creme brûlée slice and a white chocolate eclair. All very fresh and exceptionally tasty.

We finished with the scones and at this point we were struggling, but we were in no rush and with plenty of tea and coffee to hand we carried on. (We did notice than some others were taking cakes home in a box). There are two mini scones each, one with traditional fruit and one was a chocolate chip one, both warm. I have to say that the fruit one was our favourite, the chocolate chip one wasn't quite there but we couldn't say why.

Overall the experience was excellent, just as afternoon tea should be and at £15 per person very good value for money. We were so full that there was no need for dinner later. Without a doubt I would recommend a visit here.

Nutters Restaurant

Sugar Junction, Northern Quarter, Manchester City Centre

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.

Sugar Junction

Leckenby's, Bury

Leckenby's, Millgate Shopping Centre, Bury 5th May 2013

Today's afternoon tea visit to Leckenby's in Bury was not our first choice, it was on the list but we had seen The Pavilion at Birtle, Bury and were hoping to go there first simply because at £18.50 per person it was to be the most expensive by far and should be amazing. I emailed the Pavilion midweek to book and having had to chase them for a reply discovered that although they open Sundays they do not serve afternoon tea on that day (the website implies they do) and they do not check their emails daily so best to call. A little annoying to say the least, do not advertise your email if you do not check it daily and why not offer afternoon tea when open? We would have been greatly put out if we had gone and then found that out. Some of us work 6 days and only have Sundays for treats. Anyway, their loss was Leckenby's gain and that got moved up the list and to be honest are very glad it did.

I emailed them at night from their website and got a reply the following morning to confirm a reservation. 

Today we arrived fifteen minutes early and were greeted and shown to the reserved booth that had been set aside for us.

The young lady that greeted us and served us throughout our visit was very good at her job indeed, very polite and efficient and notably made the right amount of conversation. Asked about our trip into Bury and what our plans where but then left us to eat.

It was an excellent start being offered traditional, champagne or a vegetarian afternoon tea. That is the first time we have been offered a vegetarian option, not applicable to us but a very nice touch and a simple but effective idea. 

The tea rooms are very traditional in style and decor with a suitable 1920/30's feel. It is very well presented with nice small booths and centre tables. Naturally, more than afternoon tea is served and there is a selection of traditional cakes, biscuits and drinks area available to buy to take away as well as eating in options. 

We ordered the traditional afternoon tea, as usual with one tea and one coffee. The latte was the largest standard size latte I have seen and served with a biscuit. The tea was presented in matching tea pot and was loose tea, not a bag. I had forgotten how flavoursome loose tea was and this was a very nice change and on request I was very kindly given an extra pot of hot water. No biscuit for me though.

The service was excellent with very little wait time; the afternoon tea was served on a traditional 3 tier stand with nice matching small plates.

For the first time on our afternoon tea visits the sandwiches were served in triangles and not fingers. This makes no difference at all to the quality or tastes just a presentation difference. We had four triangles each, with egg mayo, turkey, tuna and ham, and were offered any dressing should we want any. Both white and brown bread were used. Between each one were slices of cucumber and cherry tomatoes, a nice touch. The sandwiches were very fresh and very nice.

The second middle tier had the fruit scones, pots of strawberry preserve and two small dishes of fresh cream and there was plenty of fresh cream. We were also provided with a number of butter packets. The scones were very fresh and tasty.

The top tier had four mini cakes provided by Slattery’s, a carrot cake, chocolate cake, strawberry mouse in a white chocolate casing and a lemon mouse in a dark chocolate casing. Downside of not having the same of each double up leaves a dilemma of who has what. What a dilemma to have, we cut the 2 cakes on half and shared and I opted for the lemon mouse. As it happens Paul was full so I also had the strawberry mousse.

All very good, especially the lemon mousse in my opinion. The carrot cake was not the best in my humble opinion as it was a bit too doughy but it is always personal choice and this maybe the general preference of Slattery’s customers.

We spent about a hour in Leckenby’s and it is fair to say that we were very full at the end and that is the first time we have said that after any afternoon tea we have had recently.

At £11.95 per person I would highly recommend going to Leckenby's and it doesn't need to be for a special occasion just allow an extra hour when shopping. Well worth it.

The upshot is my mother would love it and it is one to take her too on another day.

Leckenbys

The Marriott Hotel, Broughton Preston

The Marriott Hotel, Broughton Preston, 20th April 2013

I decided to take my mum out for a treat yesterday and booked online yesterday morning for afternoon tea closer to where she lives.

Afternoon tea is our thing, sweet things are what my mum lives for, bearing in mind this is the person who had 17 sugars in her two cups of coffee!

This was for no other occasion than it was something to do.

Booked online and arrived with a few minutes to spare. The afternoon tea was to be held in the lounge bar, which is a general area accommodating hotel guests who are just having a drink. There is a really nice conservatory type area leading to the courtyard. When we arrived there were other ladies having afternoon tea and there was a lacking of tables and chairs there, yet plenty of space. The bar man was very helpful in bring a chair for us and would have moved the table around if I had not already done it whilst he was getting the chair.

The service was good with the tea and coffee being ordered promptly and it was not too long before the food was served. 

It was not on a traditional tier but never the less served on nice plates, with nice napkins and cutlery.

The selection of finger sandwiches included salmon (and plenty of it), cucumber (true traditional style) and cheese with lettuce and a hint of mango chutney. Both white and wholemeal bread used and very fresh. The only odd thing is there were three of each, not usual to get a number not divisible by the number of people eating. 

We have four mini cakes each, and these were not that mini :) plus a fruit scone each. The selection of cakes included a chocolate eclair  individual Victoria Sponge, Coffee cake and Chocolate brownie.

The cakes were very fresh and the scones were server with plenty of butter, cream and pots of preserve.

The tea and coffee were refilled without being asked which is always a nice touch. 

The two of us spent two hours there enjoying the food with a nice view of the courtyard and no pressure. The afternoon tea was just £10.95 each and was exceptional value for money.

The Marriott

Willows Restaurant at Barton Grange Garden Centre, Preston

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

This trip out included not just me and hubby but also our mums. Booked a week in advance and at just £10.95 not bad value at all especially with it being Mother's Day.

The venue is very nice, you get to the restaurant through the garden centre and it is to the side of the river/brook. We were shown to a table in the corner overlooking the river so the position was great.

The staff there were very efficient and attentive as soon as we were seated. They made it very clear that tea and coffee was unlimited and to simply ask if we required more at any time. As it happens we didn't need to as they were quick off the mark at asking throughout the time there.

This was very leisurely and there was no rush which was appreciated. 

We had two tiered stands one for each couple. The sandwiches included, salmon and cream cheese, ham and Lancashire cheese. They were fresh and flavoursome.

The section of cakes included a mini fruit tartlet, Victoria sandwich, chocolate brownie, and a mini carrot cake. 

Not forgetting the fresh scone that was served with plenty of jam and cream.

The atmosphere being Mother's Day was very nice but I have no doubt that it is usually like that anyway.

On exit each of the mums (including me) where given a little pot plant which was a nice touch.

Very good value for money and would recommend at any time of the year.

Barton Grange 

Annie Peaches Afternoon tea

Annie Peaches, at Lamberts Mill

Visited quite close to the close of play on Sunday 3rd March, and did ask if we were OK for afternoon tea seeing they only had 40 minutes until shut down. Carole was very accommodating as she always is and said not a problem.

We eat at Annie Peaches on a regular basis usually for lunch or breakfast (hubby loves their full English). We had seen on the menu they did afternoon tea and decided it was a good idea for a Sunday.

Annie Peaches is a really good little cafe/coffee shop and the food is made by Carole and the service is very good indeed by all of the team there. With every tea or coffee you also get a tiny home made biscuit which is a nice little treat.

Back to the afternoon tea, we had left it quite late and to be honest I think we did put Carole on the spot some what but she was great and off she went, one with tea and one with coffee.

The presentation was very good indeed and on a tier. 

The lower tier offered 8 finger sandwiches with a selection of ham, egg, beef and chicken with some crisps on the side. The bread was very fresh and a section of white and brown.

The middle tier had 3 types of cakes cut in half and included the traditional Victoria sandwich, dime bar cake and lemon mouse tart. Again the cakes were very fresh and very tasty.

The top tier was left for the scones that were served with plenty of jam and cream. The scones were delicious and home made.

Annie Peaches is on Foursquare where you can see the photo we took at the time.

The price at £7.95 each was in my opinion very good value for money and I would not hesitate in having it all over again :)

Annie Peaches

The Deli Bank Street, Rawtenstall 2012

The Deli, Rawtenstall, 2012

This is a little harder to write as I have to try hard to remember as it was the first afternoon tea that we had and was over 12 months ago. I am assured that they still offer afternoon tea so I decided it should be included.

This was another treat for hubby and I and it was brought about as we saw others having it there. 

The Deli is a small coffee shop in the heart of Rawtenstall where the food is home made and there is a great choice of vegetarian and sugar free cake options. Great for the health conscious.

Although I do not remember what exactly we had, I do remember that it was served on a traditional cake stand with multiple tiers and I do recall we had to take some cake home because we were too full to finish it there. That says something don't you think?

The Deli is quite small and I would suggest calling and reserving a table to guarantee being seated.

I am fairly sure it was £8.95 per person but it was some time ago so I would check just in case.

The Deli