Category: Food and Eating Out

A lady stood in the doorway of Peggy Porschen Belgravia

A review of a delicious Morning Tea at Peggy Porschen Belgravia

On By elaineandjohnIn Food and Eating Out, Retirement Lifestyle, TravelLeave a comment

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Morning Tea is an alternative of Afternoon Tea at Peggy Porschen Belgravia. It is best to prebook and is served until 14.oo hours

A 3 tier tea plate
Breakfast tea at Peggy Porschen Belgravia

Peggy Porschen

I have drooled over Peggy Porschen’s Instagram page for a few years now and have always promised myself a visit. So when myself and my 2 good friends were visiting London for 2 days we decided to visit. As we were attending an event from 12 midday we opted for the Morning Tea – we thought it would be a new experience for us, being regular aficionado’s of afternoon tea , and an alternative breakfast feast. You may wish to read my review of another fabulous tea room in Manchester.

We booked in advance to ensure our table, it was easy to find in Belgravia from Victoria Station and only a short walk.

A large wall sign Belgravia London

We arrived to a quiet cafe, where our table awaited us. The exterior invites you in, and inside bursts a plethora of pinkness! Floral and whimsical touches create a pink-pastel dream with a feminine, vintage candy-store aesthetic. Terrazzo tables, a luxurious glass patisserie counter laden with cakes, and dainty pendant chandeliers framed by bunting-laden walls complete the scene. Every detail begs to be photographed—so very Instagrammable.

A rabbit ornament
Ceiling chandelier inside Peggy porschen Belgravia

A pink tea setting on a table

The breakfast tea is served in 3 tiers like an afternoon tea and cost £44 per person.

Top tier -All Butter Croissant Mixed Berries, Yoghurt & Nutty Granola

Middle Tier – Buttermilk Pancakes Brioche French Toast Served with Berry Sauce, Maple Syrup and Lemon & Vanilla Mascarpone

Bottom Tier – Eggs Florentine (Wilted spinach) Smashed Avocado & Feta Toast Fancy Forager’s Toast Creamy mushrooms, truffle & soft-boiled egg – although creamy mushrooms are advertised on the menu ours were all egg based., therefore the menu must change occasionally from that advertised.

Eggs Florentine

There is also a selection of teas and many other drinks.

french toast and breakfast pastries

As we were leaving there was quite a long queue outside for walk-ins. Testimony to its popularity.

Yoghurt and fruit and a croissant served for breakfast

Service & Hospitality

Staff were welcoming, attentive, and knowledgeable, we had small suitcases with us and they accommodated our request to sit in a space where our bags wouldn’t be a nuisance. They were also very accommodating when another friend joined us just for a drink.

Overall Experience & Rating

It was a very enjoyable experience for a treat. My friends enjoyed it all but as I really dislike Avocado’s I found it difficult to eat the lower tier, but that’s nothing to do with the quality of the food just my personal taste! Missing mushrooms was a disappointment to me.

Everything else was delicious. I regret not purchasing a cake to take out for later in the day on the train home to Manchester.

pink cakes on display in a cabinet

It’s a lovely treat and a tick on my bucket list. Would I visit again? Yes if I was nearby but wouldn’t be upset if I didn’t get a second visit as there are still so many different venues to try out still.

There is also fabulous Peggy Porschen branded crockery that you can buy. I really liked the shape and decor of the cup and saucer but couldn’t carry it home due to my suitcase being full. It can be bought online.

Alternatively there are some lovely sets similar in looks but more reasonably priced if you are on a budget but would like to recreate it at home for friends and family on Amazon

Pink crockery Peggy Porschen Belgravia

This was a lovely way to start a day in such lovely surroundings.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

If you’re looking for a birthday treat or a venue for a special celebration this is excellent. I would always recommend booking in advance to save queuing outside.

Thank you for reading. Have you visited? If so comment and let me know your thoughts. Alternatively do you have any suggestions of similar venues?

A sign outside a bookshop with the name House of Books and Friends

Explore Manchester’s Unique House of Books and Friends

On By elaineandjohnIn Books, Food and Eating Out, Manchester, Retirement LifestyleLeave a comment

If you’re like me and love books and a brew then a visit to the House of Books of Friends in Manchester would be an ideal way to spend some chilling time. This is housed in a listed building on Kings Street in the heart of the city centre.

Disclosure I may earn a commission if you makes a purchase through any affiliate links in this post

This is a unique space with a mission to help stop loneliness and isolation. This is from their website ” Our mission is to combat loneliness and social isolation. We want every customer or visitor to leave our shop feeling better connected with the community. By reinvesting our profit back in to projects and activities “every book sold makes a difference”.

Loneliness can have a devastating effect on someone’s life, often leading to depression and sometimes the taking of a person’s own life or an unbearable sadness that a person lives with for the rest of their life. It can become exaggerated by a society that values social media but has lost the value of close friends and neighbours. In an age where we have the opportunity to be more connected than ever, there are people who go for days, weeks and even months without having a conversation”

This is such a meaningful concept. Having visited this unique shop for books and a brew I can honestly say it has such a peaceful, friendly vibe about it. The staff are so friendly and everyone acknowledges your entrance and presence without being intrusive.

Books

I first found out about The House of Books and Friends via an Instagram post. I have to admit that from first impressions I didn’t think it was for me. I mistakenly thought it was a very niche store selling books that wouldn’t interest me. How wrong I was. On a morning out in Manchester I decided to pay a visit, I was instantly in love with it! I have returned several times since.

There is quite a large range of both paperback and hardback books. The range is from Fantasy fiction. LGBTQ+, children’s books and story’s through to contemporary fiction including crime and biographies.

As you enter there is usually a selection of the latest arrivals. I found a great crime novel Murder at the Sanatorium by Radnor Jonasson, an author I had not come across before. Such a great read and an opportunity to practice pronouncing Icelandic surnames in your head!

Seating

The book shop has several spaces to sit, read or work. These spaces range from sofa’s to tables by the tea and beverage area. Great tea and coffee is available to purchase, nice pastries and biscuits, also gluten free and dairy free options. In good weather there is a seating area outside on the pavement – but it is Manchester so its not always set out.

What is a real plus for me is an area in the back of the store. This appears to have kept most of the original features of the original building. The building itself, Manchester Club, is an impressive Victorian Gothic Grade II-listed building steeped in history, originally opening back in 1871 as a members club, with members including Winston Churchill. The building, is also home to the opulent bar and restaurant Grand Pacific on the first floor.

There are tables in a fabulous opulent room, dark wood original features. This room can be used to enjoy an afternoon tea or hired as a space for a celebration such as a baby shower or a meet up for friends or colleagues. There are usually visitors in there enjoying a read and a drink or working on there laptops. One space to highlight is the ladies toilet, I’m unable to comment on the gents area. The interior is in keeping with the buildings age and status, which means the pipe works and plumbing don’t facilitate the flushing of wipes etc. What is a lovely touch is that there is a selection of free female hygiene products for anyone in need. As someone who was a victim of period poverty in my teens this is something I’m passionate about.

Summary

In summary The House of Books and Friends has fast become one of my favourite space in the City centre of Manchester. If you love, books, a brew or even an admirer of listed buildings this is definitely worth a visit. They often hold events such as authors talks and book signings. In my opinion it’s somewhere you will love to visit for at least a second time and if you live in Manchester or visit regularly you will want to return again and again.

As I’ma born and bred mancunian I love to share fab things from my city – why not take a look at my review of Tast Catala Restaurant – just a stones throw from House of Books and Friends

Thank you for popping in and reading. If you enjoy my contact I’d love it if you return.

Elaine

The front window of Tast Catala Restaurant on King Street restaurant

Tast Catala Manchester – Restaurant Review

On By elaineandjohnIn Food and Eating Out, ManchesterLeave a comment

Introduction

Tast Catala is a Spanish Restaurant and bar in Manchester. It brings a taste of quality Catalan Cuisine and flavours of Barcelona to the city.

A photograph of the front of Tast Catala Restaurant Kings Street Manchester
Tast Catala King Street Manchester

Food and menus are created by an award winning chef – Paco Perez and it is part owned by Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City and footballing genius.

John and I have visited on several occasions to enjoy a drink at the bar – In my opinion they serve THE best Bloody Mary in Manchester. Tis visit was our first time dining. I won £100 to spend in the restaurant as part of a Valentines competition. A review was not part of the prize and this is our choice to do so and our impartial opinions.

Ambience & Atmosphere

The restaurant has a casual vibe and has a sparse industrial feel. No soft furnishings or glitz and glamour.

Wall art inside Tast Catala

I have seen it described as cold and uninviting, we wouldn’t go as far to say that but can see why others have said it.

There are seats along the bar and an area of dining tables by the large window that looks over trendy King Street, always thought of as an affluent area of the city. On warm days you can drink and dine on the pavement terrace.

There is also a restaurant on the first floor.  We cannot comment on this as we have only ever been in the ground floor area.

This is how the official  restaurant online page describes the cuisine:

“Our Restaurant Menu features our full range of Tastets, Charcoal Dishes, Rice Dishes & Desserts. The Menu is influenced by the flavours of Catalonia alongside more well-known classics. Our traditional dishes feature Butifarra which is a Catalan Duroc Pork Sausage and Catalan Style Rice cooked in our Charcoal Oven”.

Service & Hospitality

We were the only people in the place – 2pm on a Thursday afternoon – the week after Valentines day. We hade booked in advance and were greeted immediately with our names as they were prepared for us. They sat us in the window.

A glass of wine and water on a restaurant table

Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Taking time to explain the menu and make suggestions. I must point out that as part of the prize there was a bottle of Sparkling rose Chapeldown wine – as John wouldn’t have wanted any with his food they allowed us to take it home to enjoy at leisure  – a nice gesture.

Food & Food Quality

Dish Highlights

  • Appetizers: We shared 3 small plates – or Tastets. Sourdough bread with oil and tomatoes, Jamon Croquetas and Cod fritters with lemon and honey foam. These didn’t sound too extravagant or different from whats on offer at many other Tapas restaurants, but Wow! the flavours and quality were amazing! We holiday in Spain a lot but these were off the scale. The sourdough was super tasty with a great light texture. The croquetas had a super soft filling with a light crispy crumb. My favourite though was the cod fritters – such a lovely light batter and the lemon honey foam was like dipping them into a cloud. One of the most delicious things I’ve eaten in a while.  We found that this was ample food for us to enjoy.
  • Main Course: From the a la carte menu, John chose Sea Bass, served with their signature el Txringuito 1939 sauce accompanied by roasted baby potatoes and mushrooms,  and I chose Solomillo – pork tenderloin, celeriac puree, deep fried aubergine and meat jus. The portion sizes were ideal. Although the pork was a bit too pink for my liking but John and I are dinosaurs and like all meat well done, we cannot embrace the pink meat culture. We enjoyed everything we were served.
  • Dessert & Drinks: We did not order dessets or coffee but with our meal I enjoyed a chilled house white wine and John enjoyed his favourite Aspall Cyder.

As a side note we enjoyed the bottle of Chapeldown wine at home later watching Manchester City in the Champions League. This English wine is so delicious, soft on the palate with a delicate fizz – it will now be our go to celebratory drink

Pricing & Value for Money

Our bill came to £96. It’s not a budget restaurant but as its a unique experience and the quality of food and service was excellent it was worth it.

Overall Experience & Rating

Overall we enjoyed this experience, we expected that it would be very quiet when we booked. I think it is busy at the height of lunchtime and then gets busy again later in the evening. As its somewhere I am always going to return to for a drink when in Manchester it is somewhere we would have no reservations about dining there again. I’d be happy just to choose from the Tastets, small plates menu. In fact when we next visit for drinks I think we will definitely order a portion of sourdough oil and tomatoes to enjoy with out drinks.

We would probably give a score of 4 stars – just knocking 1 off for the lack of other customers at the time of our visit, affecting the atmosphere.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

If you choose to experience the food here I suggest you make a reservation in advance, unless you are just dropping in for drinks sat at the bar, when seats are always available in our experience.

In fact if you’re passing we would always recommend popping in for a drink – quality cocktails.

If you’re in Manchester why not visit a free attraction – here is my review of Manchester Cathedral.

Please comment if you have visited to dine or drink yourself. And we’d love to know if you have any restaurant recommendations in Manchester – we love to try new places.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read

Elaine

 

 

Restaurant Review – Artisan Manchester Speedy Lunch Menu

On By elaineandjohnIn Food and Eating Out, ManchesterLeave a comment

This was the second time I have visited Artisan for the Express lunch menu – the first time was just before Christmas, due to the hectic schedule around the festive season I forgot to write up my review on that occasion! So here goes 2nd time lucky!

  • Name of Restaurant

Artisan Avenue North, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ

  • Reason for Visit

A late lunchtime catch up with 4 girlfriends – we’re all young at heart over 50’s. We had pre booked for 2pm

  • First Impression

You enter the restaurant from the Avenue by a small doorway – once inside you have to climb stairs and there is a choice of 2 directions – this can be a bit confusing as to which direction is for the restaurant one of our party ended up in the bar and not the restaurant, and for the record she isn’t someone who regularly gets lost! Once you reach the restaurant there is a welcome area with a desk where a lovely girl took our details and invited us to enter the bar and waiting area. Artisan is very rustic looking lots of reclaimed wood and furniture on display. I have to say we really liked the look instantly. The restaurant area continues with this theme and again it is a very pleasant setting – a long expanse of windows allow lots of light in, although the view from the windows are not the greatest.

  • Time to get served/attention

As stated earlier there is a member of staff already in place to meet and greet, once seated and having a pre lunch drink a waitress came promptly to take us to our table.

  • Food

We ate from the Express lunch menu I chose the red pepper houmous and wood fired flat bread, the flattened rump steak (well done) with chimichurri, rocket and courgette salad and a glass of white wine. There was a choice of 2 house whites which was a nice touch.

The starter came on a wooden platter – 2 vary large slices of flatbread and a portion of red pepper houmous and a selection of sliced vegetables. The flat bread was delicious – thin and crispy perfect for my tastes, although I could only eat one! The houmous was a bit bland in my opinion I couldn’t really taste the garlic, although there must have been an adequate amount as Mr Fitz commented on it when I greeted him with a kiss when I got home.

My steak was tasty and cooked how I like it – yes I know, well done meat is so old fashioned but hey I don’t follow every trend! It was served with the simple green salad which I felt was just enough. I chose a glass of Pinot to wash it down with, having already had a pre lunch Three Rivers Gin and tonic from the bar. Note I stayed loyal to my proud Mancunian roots by choosing a local gin from the extensive Gin menu.

  • Service

Our waiter was very warm and friendly – he did have to attempt to take our order twice due to us chatting and not choosing, but that was not a problem for him, he was patient with us. Food arrived promptly and the all important wine!

The only downsides to the service on this occasion was obtaining our bill, after 15 minutes we had not seen any staff to ask for the bill. I had to go out to reception to ask the girl there if she could find us someone. A waiter then appeared and promptly fulfilled our request.

  • Evaluation

This is a nice setting for lunch, I cannot comment on any other time of the day. I love the decor and surroundings. Apart from the hitch with the bill I do think the service is speedy when seated. If you wish to have a pre or post meal drink the upstairs bar area is very comfortable and inviting and the choice of drinks available are many and displayed well. The food is tasty and in adequate proportions for a lunch portion.

Myself and my friends would definitely return again. Great surroundings and value for money

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

Neighbourhood Manchester – Restaurant Review

On By elaineandjohnIn Food and Eating Out, Uncategorized2 Comments

Myself and OH are foodies and regularly eat out or just visit venues for drinks – I think we’re trying to work our way around most Manchester haunts – a hard task we know as the number of new places to eat and drink are multiplying every week – a tough job but we’re tough enough and ugly enough to try it!

 

I’m going to post reviews of places we visit, some reviews will be retrospective – but I will use the same format for each review and hopefully have accompanying photos for most – yes I confess I’m one of those people who can’t eat a meal or have a drink without taking a photo!

I also will judge each bar against my husbands 10 second rule – if no-one at the bar acknowledges our presence within that time we leave! Harsh maybe but my OH is right in saying that in most places the cost of 2 drinks is more than the average working persons hourly rate so custom should be valued – yes the staff can be very busy and be serving other customers – that’s not a problem, however he likes the server to at least make eye contact and state they will be with us soon. I’m pleased to say that most places do pass this test!

I recently visited Neighbourhood in Spinningfields Manchester for lunch with my husband. The venue describes itself as an all day eatery and late bar. It’s a popular venue for the smartly dressed customer.

The following paragraph is a quote from it’s own Web page

“Neighbourhood is a restaurant and bar inspired by the vibrancy and accessibility of the food and drink scene you typically see in New York, Las Vegas or Miami. It’s a place where you can grab brunch, coffee and a quick snack, afternoon tea, cocktails or dinner – it literally caters for all, offering something for everybody.”

We received a nice welcome at the door, our table was ready but we asked if we could have a drink at the bar first. What my opinion was is covered in my template. Anyway here goes with my first Manchester Restaurant Review

  • Name of venue visited

         Neighbourhood Manchester 

  • Reason for visit

Late lunch with husband

  • Time and day of visit

Friday 3pm

  • First impression

Friendly welcome, looks and feels like a New York restaurant/bar. Great decor – loved            the Emerald  green leather chairs

  • Time to get servers attention/service

Met at the door by friendly staff – immediate attention.

  • Food quality

Good menu and choice. I had the tempura prawn starter – was delicious, OH had the               Lil burgers as a starter – 3 small burgers on a platter – he said they were really                          good.

Tempura Prawns

Lil Burgers

For mains we both had salads – Cobb Salad for me and a Chicken  Caesar for OH Nicely presented but nothing out of the ordinary.


We washed it down with a bottle of house white which was very nice indeed. Above             average taste for a house wine.

  • Quality of Service

service when seated was average, some delay for food and drinks service, but on the                whole good. Some friendly conversation and interaction – an important factor for us.

  • Evaluation

Nice venue – drinks pricey, looks like a venue where people want to be ‘seen’. There                were a few guests enjoying afternoon tea – the selection on offer looked good.                          From looking at the venue and the  other guests, we would say it is somewhere for a                treat or a special occasion. Not somewhere to visit  regularly.

  • Would I visit again?

Yes. Would definitely take girlfriends for a treat.

As a footnote I must state that we visited as a prize win from a twitter competition run by Neighbourhood and the food and a bottle of wine was free. Thank you Neighbourhood very generous. Special thanks to Jake for arranging and hosting.

 

Manchester – Sculpture Hall Cafe – A Review

On By elaineandjohnIn Food and Eating OutLeave a comment

Background

I am a Mancunian through and through – my accent is testimony to that! I  am staunchly proud of my home City. There is always plenty to see and do, has great history and the people on the whole are very friendly. Obviously like many other Cities it is constantly evolving and changing. I love being out and about in the City Centre. As it will become obvious as my blog develops, my husband and myself are huge ‘foodies’. We love eating out in restaurants and enjoying a drink in the many  bars and pubs around. Lately there seems to be an abundance of new establishments. We used to pride ourselves on knowing all of the bars to go to, but not so now. We are working our way through them though! There is somewhere new every visit. I will write more and more about our experiences in the future.

Reason for visiting

Since I’ve retired, I’ve joined the realm of ‘Ladies that Lunch’,  myself and my girlfriends have been regularly meeting for afternoon tea. One of my friends is very partial to this and we are all happy to go along with her. The quality of the tea’s are very variable. Today we visited The Sculpture Hall Cafe inside Manchester Town Hall. In fact until my friend suggested it none of us knew this existed. Well, I have to say we have unearthed a hidden gem. I have always admired and loved the architecture of Manchester Town Hall, it is such a beautiful building outside, one of my very favourites in Manchester. Until today ,apart from a visit to arrange my Council tax many years ago I have never been inside.  It is stunning, as lovely and opulent as I anticipated. I’m going to say something now that makes me think I’m turning into my mother! and that is “They don’t make buildings like they used to” There have been many new developments in Manchester including The Urbis, which now houses the National Football Museum, and 1 Angel Square, the Home of the Head of The Cooperative, which I have heard nicknamed the egg slice, due to it’s unique shape. These are no doubt magnificent sights along the cities skyline, but here is none of the exquisite detail and sculpture of the Town Hall. I am always in awe of how craftsmen in years gone by constructed such magnificent buildings, without the labour saving equipment available today.

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Menu 

Anyway to return to the subject of the afternoon tea, this was also as opulent as the surroundings. The contents were original. Not just a sandwich selection, it included potted Yorkshire ham rillette and  homemade piccallilli to spread on crusty bread, a Mrs Kirkham’s creamy Lancashire cheese and leek tart, Parmesan choux filled with chicken liver pâté, Smoked trout mousse and Morecambe Bay shrimps on granary bread / Longley Farm soft cheese and cured cucumber on rye.

20151022_142720The cake selection was also sumptuous and original – all the products on the menu are locally themed. Amongst the cakes was an Eccles cake, a Manchester Cake, inspired by the famous Manchester Tart and the piece de resistance had to be the Vimto Delice: sponge cake topped with a whipped Vimto mousse and covered in a Vimto glaze – absolutely delicious. Light and delicate and the Vimto flavouring was gorgeous, just enough for the unique taste to be recognisable but not enough to be overpowering. It’s the first time I’ve eaten this, hope it won’t be my last.

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I would recommend the menu and venue to anyone, oh and the service  wasn’t bad either! The best afternoon tea experience I have enjoyed in the city. After we had eaten we took the opportunity to take some photo’s of the inside of the building, I hope they provide an insight to it’s beauty.

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Although we sampled the Afternoon Tea menu there is a variety of food served all day – I would recommend that you make an advance booking. For further information please follow the link to the Town Hall Information page: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/townhall/info/4/the_sculpture_hall_cafe/9/the_sculpture_hall_caf%C3%A9_menu

My contact details: ellieblue1223@gmail.com