Given how much I love cake, it should be no surprise that I love afternoon tea… Should it?
I’ve been gradually working my way through the afternoon tea venues in Manchester – Richmond Tea Rooms, Opus One, Sugar Junction, The Doubletree. And then I got a message from the lovely Sarah at Cocoa Cabana. Would I like to come and try her festive chocolate afternoon tea?
Erm….. Let me think….
What a complete no-brainer. And so I met Keeley, on a chilly Saturday lunchtime (it was afternoon – just – and I had been saving myself all morning) to sit in Cocoa Cabana and gorge on goodies. Served a latte, to assuage my caffeine craving, this then came to the table….
Oh my.
Let’s go in for a closer look.
Behaving ourselves and not wanting to appear uncouth and start at the top (we really wanted to), we started with the finger sandwiches. Brie and cranberry, smoked salmon and turkey and stuffing, all on the softest bread.
We expected, given that we both love cheese, to have the brie and cranberry be our favourite, but in fact the turkey, full of flavour and tender and juicy, won that round. It was delicious.
Then, of course, came the scones. Which were huge!! These are the only part of the afternoon tea made off site and are baked by Alice’s Vintage Pantry.
They were delicious, though perhaps, and I hate levelling criticism of something so small, a little too underdone in the centre. Unfortunately, as an avid baker, I know this sometimes happens and I don’t think it detracted from the experience at all.
Slathering our scones in cream, we then had the choice of strawberry jam or salted caramel. Wanting to do both justice, I went for both. The jam was rich and very fruity, but the salted caramel? Oh wow.
The balance of the caramel was spot on. Not too sweet, not too greasy, not too salty. Just perfect.
Keeley started eyeing up her spoon and the pot of salted caramel.
I started looking at the top part of our cake plate and wondering. I could maybe manage a maracon, but the brownie and the truffles…
I looked up with baleful eyes at Sarah. Thankfully, there is the option to take the rest home to eat later.
And, being the nice lady and wife I am, shared with Mr GFB. Now, I won’t spoil the suprise and tell you all the flavours but what I will say is that one on the top shaped like a bullion bar?
Trust me. Save that. That one deserves your full attention in a very quiet place where no-one can disturb you.
Cocoa Cabana offers this indulgent treat for a mere £14 per person. Yes, that’s right £14.
So, if you’ve been looking for a Christmas treat for your mum, or your sister, and want the excuse to treat yourself while you’re at it, why, I believe this is the present you’re looking for. Go book it – before everyone else does.
This afternoon tea was supplied for free by Coco Cabana. As ever, this doesn’t guarantee a positive review (if anything, I tend to be a harsher critic). In this case, I’m thrilled to write a positive review as the service, food and drink and venue were excellent.