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Writing about food is not usually something I enter into on my blog – unless it’s included in all natural skincare routines, of course! But after pondering, I thought I’d add a new lifestyle selection of posts where I can share a few unrelated to beauty topics and see how it goes. My first lifestyle post will be a Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Malmaison review.
Afternoon tea has always been something I’ve loved to take, I’ve always found something about the decadence of it quite appealing. The tiny finger sandwiches, the miniature cakes and the chink and clink of a china cup as it’s laid gently back down onto the saucer. It’s something that I regard as an occasional treat and something I really look forward to doing with both my family and friends. After acquiring a gift card for the Malmaison, me and my friend decided that we’d call along to the Malmaison in Manchester to try out their afternoon tea that sounded delicious. We arrived to friendly staff and a table laid out and ready for us with a large case full of a selection Taylors of Harrogate teas ready for us to choose from.
We opted for the champagne afternoon tea and shortly after ordering, our lovely stacked afternoon tea trays arrived with a generous glass of champagne complete with a strawberry neatly pressed into the rim. Our afternoon tea consisted of a fruit scone complete with clotted cream and jam, chocolate cheesecake, Victoria sponge cake, creme brûlée and a selection of finger sandwiches from ham to beef and salmon to cheese and pickle. The cakes looked beautiful and I was more than excited to try them all out.
My favourite part of the afternoon tea was almost certainly the Malmaison Bubble Time champagne. Crisp, refreshing bubbles with a hint of sweetness from the strawberry made it the perfect accompaniment to the afternoon tea offering and felt like a real treat.
I did enjoy our afternoon tea treat but I must say that I did expect something a little different and perhaps a little more superior from the Malmaison. The food was of course lovely as usual, and the chocolate cheesecake was rich and satisfying, but I didn’t feel that there was anything particularly special to write home about. After the £27.50 charge each for the champagne afternoon tea, I was hoping for a few ‘wow’ moments along the way. After all, the charge is more expensive than Afternoon Tea maestros, Betty’s Tea Rooms. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t instantly fall in love with their high tea addition, but with friendly staff and good service, an ambient, relaxing atmosphere, and the saving grace of the champagne, I don’t think they’re doing too bad at all. Thank you Malmaison for an enjoyable afternoon.
© This post is copyright of Rachael Divers 2015.
