It’s become almost an annual ritual – my visit to Cocoa Cabana for afternoon tea. Every year, around the same time, I book in, take a friend and indulge.
And I’m pretty certain that at the end of this post, you’ll understand why.
If you’ve never visited before, Cocoa Cabana was set up in 2012 by Sarah Gallacher in Didsbury. Sarah was trained at Slattery’s, before setting up on her own, and specialising in using local ingredients – quality chocolates without artificial additives. Chocolate as it should be.
It’s no wonder she’s won awards for her creations.
The shop itself is more than just a chocolate shop. You can pop in for a box of chocolate for mum, sure, but you can also stop in for a coffee, a cup of hot chocolate, or as I do, a chocolate themed afternoon tea.
It’s for me not only one of the best in Manchester. It’s also a bit of a bargain – £16.95 for your afternoon tea, and yet I’ve never managed to eat it all, and I always go in hungry, preferably after a gym session, just so I have room for as much as possible.
And this last visit was no exception.
As you’d expect you start with sandwiches. Forget tiny inconsequential triangles of thin bread. These are always proper butties – the bread is fresh and soft, no skimping on the fillings either – there’s not tiny sliver of cheese hiding in a mass of bread.
Then comes my favourite bit.
Take a fruited scone, spread it with cream (always cream first), and then drizzle on salted caramel sauce.
Did I mention how hard it is to concentrate on writing when you’re hungry? No? Well it is.
The sauce is perfectly balanced between salty and sweet, deliciously sticky and rich, and don’t worry if you run out, you can always ask for more. Because you may just need a little bit more for the top.
After all, who can resist spreading a chocolate brownie with a little salted caramel sauce?
Of course there are other goodies to nibble on too – pistachio maracons, lemon tartlets, deep rich pots of chocolate. It’s no wonder I can never manage it, but Mr GFB has yet to complain, as I usually take home a little doggie bag for him to enjoy.
Brownies, and wifely brownie points. Win – win.
If you’re looking for a treat (yes the annual ‘C’ word is looming), then this might just be a suggestion for the chocolate lover in your life – and of course, you get to go with them…
This meal was paid for by ourselves.