In which G.M. Norton indulges in a spot of afternoon tea with his beloved.
Afternoon tea epitomises the very essence of Englishness
so when my beloved chanced upon an offer on Wowcher, we simply had to sample Tom’s Champagne Bar in Manchester.
So, last weekend, my beloved wearing a rather lovely ‘Hepburn’
tea dress from Lady Vintage, and myself clad in tweed and corduroy, toddled off to
the city centre ready to be fortified by a very fine meal.
Situated on the 3rd Floor of House of Fraser (formerly Kendal's department store), Tom’s bills itself as a “sleek and sophisticated Champagne bar”, which is “the place to head to for a relaxed, informal but impeccable respite during or after shopping and always after a hard day at the office!”
Tom’s Champagne Bar was actually named after Thomas Kendal, the stores founder in 1836 which I only discovered while writing this.
When we arrived last Saturday
afternoon, we were seated in the private tucked away area, away from the hustle
and bustle of the department store shop floor. Within a few short
minutes, the waitress brought our food across.
We
didn’t waste any time, quickly tucking into a trio of finger sandwiches - smoked
salmon and cream cheese, chicken
breast with pesto mayonnaise and goats cheese
and chutney. After scoffing these down, our eyes and hands moved to the freshly
baked scones, still warm to touch. Lovely. We slathered on the Chantilly cream
and jam, washing it down with a strawberry-decorated glass of Mumm Champagne.
After
ordering a pot of tea each (English breakfast for madam and Earl Grey for sir),
we couldn’t resist the handmade chocolates any longer. Delicious.
Chocolates
devoured, we moved onto the two cakes – a fruit gateaux and an invigorating
lemon cheesecake, full of the zest we love.
It
was all delicious and while it didn’t seem like a lot, let me tell you, it was
more than filling! We both felt nicely full afterwards. And, at the bargain
price of £16.99 for two – it was a lovely little afternoon tea experience,
without the large cost.
Bad show – uninspired
crockery with no sugar bowl (sugar was in sachets), a pot of tea was extra
Good show – warm scones, good service
Good show – warm scones, good service
G.M. Norton
Protagonist of ‘Norton of Morton’
Protagonist of ‘Norton of Morton’
What a great price!! If there's one thing I love more than afternoon tea it's bargainous afternoon tea. Where's a pic of your lady in her pretty dress?? Looks like you had fun x
ReplyDeleteIt was certainly kind on the old wallet. You're quite right, I must add a pictorial of the good lady - she looked wonderful. We're already planning our next afternoon tea adventure!
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