Showing posts with label teapot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teapot. Show all posts

North Star Piccadilly is the second venue of North Star Delicatessen in Chorlton, but Piccadilly having more of a focus on being a cafe, which also sells other nice items you can take home.

In Piccadilly Basin, it sits in a new building and is joined via a door to some sort of offices. I'm not sure who they are, but their staff regularly walk through the door and through the cafe to get outside, and vice versa, which is a very strange idea.


The venue itself is modern and fresh, with shelving reaching from floor to ceiling showing off the items available for purchase, as well as some of those available to order within the cafe itself, as well as a chiller stocked with a good array of chilled drinks, including root beer, which is always nice to see!

The menu is modern and simple, offering hot drinks, cold drinks, beer, wine, and light meals. Dining is casual, you sit at a table of your choice and order at the desk.


Browsing the tea menu, I chose the North Star Rose Blend Tea, a blend of rosebuds, hibiscus and rose balm. It was a little sharper than the average rose tea, but had a distinct jam flavour, which was very pleasant! The teapot was a bit of an odd issue, as the spout was a little too small for the loose tea, meaning it wouldn't pour properly at first, and dribbled onto the table. Perhaps a teapot infuser might be a better idea here rather than a tea strainer. I wasn't offered a choice of milk, and it seems I was given whole milk which isn't really my preference, but it's by no means a deal breaker.


Looking at the food menu, I decided to order a jacket potato with cheese and beans. It didn't take long for it to arrive, and it was very wholesome and filling, with a tasty side salad and dressing. One interesting option on the jacket potato menu was a filling of crayfish and lemon mayonnaise, which I've never seen offered before. Maybe next time!


There was one strange incident, which was that after my second cup of tea, I noticed the milk in my tea had separated, as though it had gone off. It hadn't done for the first cup, only the second cup! I mentioned it to the staff member behind the counter, who was apologetic, and explained that the milk should be fine as it was a new bottle, but he checked the date anyway, and offered me a fresh pot of tea. I didn't really have time at this point for another pot, but I think he handled the situation well, considering how strange it was!





The service was friendly, the food was tasty, and the cost was pretty decent. I'd visit again happily.


North Star Piccadilly
77 Dale Street
Manchester
M1 2HG
(0161) 237 9619
www.northstardeli.com

North Star Piccadilly Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

North Star Piccadilly

by on 10:56
North Star Piccadilly is the second venue of North Star Delicatessen in Chorlton, but Piccadilly having more of a focus on being a cafe...
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The Oxford Tea Rooms has only just opened on Knowsley Street in Bolton town centre. It's a traditional style tea rooms, offering loose leaf teas, coffee, light lunches, and of course, cakes!


As I walk in, it's nice to see that the décor is traditionally English and pleasant, with quirky comedic signs on the walls, mismatched furniture and crockery, and polkadot and floral tablecloths, as well as a fabulous classic chequered floor, and a huge wall of books, which looks quite realistic even up close until you realise it's wallpaper!

The staff were welcoming and friendly, and when I asked if they accept cards, they told me that the card reader was being installed and would be ready within a few days, but luckily they're right across the road from a bank, so no big trouble there!

A lovely and friendly lady came over to my table and took my order, which as I was only popping in this time, I decided to go for an Earl Grey. They were also happily able to accommodate my request for skimmed milk.


 The quality of the loose leaf tea was very good indeed, and a pot for one was very good value, especially as I was even asked if I would like a jug of hot water once my teapot had run dry.

Interestingly, the pearlescent cup which I was given is identical to one which is part of a set left to me by my grandmother. A good omen... nana must approve of this place! ;)


Although I wasn't eating, I had a good peruse of the menu, and it was comprised of good English fayre from crumpets and teacakes, to freshly made sandwiches and cakes. It's also a little thing, but I love that some things such as the bagels were described as being served with "best butter", which may be a Northern thing, but is a phrase my mum and my family have always used, referring to using good quality butter rather than hum drum margarine. This gave me a smile.


They're only just getting their footing as they really have only just opened, but I can see them doing well, and becoming a popular alternative to the chain coffee shops and greasy spoon cafés around the town centre. The staff are friendly, the quality is good, and the prices are very reasonable.

I'll definitely pop in again sometime for lunch, or maybe treat my mum to afternoon tea!
The Oxford Tea Rooms
Knowsley Street
Bolton
Greater Manchester
BL1 2AL
07715 565 935
http://oxfordtearooms.co.uk/
 

The Oxford Tea Rooms

by on 16:06
The Oxford Tea Rooms has only just opened on Knowsley Street in Bolton town centre. It's a traditional style tea rooms, offering lo...
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Mystery Tea House in Preston is somewhere I've heard of via word of mouth for a long time, and always positively, but somewhere I've never had chance to visit until now, and to cut a review short, I'm very glad I did.

Hidden away on the narrow Cannon Street (which reminded me a bit of The Shambles in York). Mystery Tea House really does live up to such a fantastical name, as when you walk into the door, it's a rather dark but cosy space, decorated in bright colours and with a distinctly African design, from the artwork to the tribal masks on the walls. As my dad and I walk in, friendly staff members smile and welcome us, informing us that there's more seating upstairs should we want it, as downstairs was already bustling with happy and relaxed looking customers. The bar area where the staff were talking from boasted several ceiling height shelves full of all sorts of wonderful and exotic tea blends.



So we climbed upstairs, and entered another space, just a bright and colourful as downstairs, and keeping the same African style, but with more areas to lounge, such as sofas, tables looking out of the windows down over the street, and a cute little table under a tree with a bookcase, for those wanting to spend the afternoon.


We took a seat at a little corner table, and were immediately impressed at the menus. Both food menus offering sandwiches, cakes and delicious looking soups, but also an incredibly extensive tea menu, with teas of all varieties and blends to tempt you. I personally love flavoured black teas, but usually aside Earl Grey it's hard to find any in general shops and cafes, but Mystery Tea House had a whole page of intriguing choices!  


After much deliberation, I decided to try the Rose Desire tea, and my dad, being somewhat a traditionalist, went for good old Yorkshire Tea, which as amusing an idea as it is, proves that the venue is not pretentious enough to deny people a good old fashioned cup of "builders tea" should they want it, and thus not alienate visitors. 


The tea came in traditional side-handle teapot with non-handled cup, and with a side of lemon slices and a small jug of honey. A very nice touch indeed. My dad's Yorkshire Tea came in a more English-traditional teapot and cup, which he was perfectly happy with. 

The Rose Desire tea was absolutely divine, with a lovely strong rose fragrance, and fresh a fresh flavour which forces a content sigh out of you with each sip. My dad commented how surprised he was that it smelt like Turkish delight, and after browsing the tea menu, had plans to try all sorts of new and exotic teas, he particularly liked the sound of the Jasmine Tea menu, and the Oolong Teas (even if he did keep calling it "oblong tea"!).

As for food, I decided on a ham and cheese toastie, wheras my dad opted for the delicious sounding and looking Tuscani baguette, opting for some extra salami topping. 

When the food arrived, we were very pleased! My toastie was very tasty, but my dad's Tuscani was massive, clearly freshly made, and very appetising indeed! He raved about the flavours and quality as he ate it, and insisted I try some, which at first I turned down, but in the end agreed to... and I'm glad I did! It was flavourful, cheesy, with delicious mushrooms and that extra salami my dad wanted. For under £4 we were very impressed, and said we'd get again for certain when we next visited!



During our meal, the friendly and helpful staff were happy to bring me extra hot water so I could enjoy more of that delicious rose tea, and told us about some other tea options I might like next time based on my enjoyment of the Rose Desire tea. 

When we went downstairs, we chatted to the staff about our enjoyed experience, and how we both had plans for different teas we would try in future. The staff member behind the bar happily brought various jars off the shelves, telling us about the types of tea, and letting us take a deep sniff of each blend. My dad later told me that he was very impressed with this service, as well as the friendly approachable nature of the staff, allowing him to be brave enough to ask about whether you would have milk and sugar in various blends, without feeling silly.


Our experience at Mystery Tea House was very pleasant indeed. Relaxed and comfortable, but with some great options to explore. The tea we had was lovely, and the food was superb, it was also nice that they sold loose tea to take home, as well as tea making accessories and tea sets for the tea lovers out there. But the thing that stood out for us was the service. Friendly, helpful, polite and genuinely enthusiastic staff full of personality really made this place feel welcoming, and most definitely made us want to return! Well done, Mystery Tea House! :)



Mystery Tea House
23 Cannon Street
Preston
PR1 3NR
(01772) 200 408
www.mysteryteahouse.com

Mystery Tea House

by on 12:31
Mystery Tea House in Preston is somewhere I've heard of via word of mouth for a long time, and always positively, but somewhere I...
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From the people who brought you Teacup on Thomas Street comes Proper Tea at Manchester Cathedral, which unlike its hipster and trendy brother, is a quieter, more relaxed, and traditional affair, facing Manchester's grand cathedral, and occupying the space that was partly taken up by the cathedral's visitors centre. As you walk in, you're greeted by a grand airy and open space, shabby chic décor, and a striking black and white tiled floor. Gentle 1940s music plays, and on each table sits a jar of fresh flowers. The counter is made up of reclaimed doors, doorhandles, and doorknockers, which is a lovely unique design feature. Behind the counter stand shelves holding large tea caddies and tea making accoutrements.


Perusing the menu, I decided upon the cream tea, and although the listing mentioned a few teas that came with the cream tea, the friendly waitress had no problem in me having Earl Grey instead. She did inform me that sadly they had no clotted cream at the moment, but would substitute it with butter if that was okay with me (which it was).

Whilst I waited for my order, I asked where the toilets were as I couldn't clearly see any signage. I was told they were "out this door, across the bridge, down the stairs, and along the corridor", which seems a bit of a trek, but due to the nature of the building when it was a museum, it's understandable. Not ideal, but not a deal breaker by any stretch.

When I returned, the waitress smiled and said she was waiting for me before serving up. I was brought a lovely spread for my cream tea. I was pleased to see that the butter offered as replacement for the cream was actually in an individual high quality pack rather than café style butter blocks, and the jam came in a ramekin rather than a little pot, or plastic container.

I loved that the milk came in a little old-school milk bottle, what a cute touch! Also the home-made scone was massive! A timer came with the tea, to give you the ideal brewing time, but by the time the sand ran out, I felt my tea was merely very-warm rather than hot. I could've mentioned this to the staff, but it really didn't make much of a difference, as it was very tasty tea, and still very enjoyable. The scone was a touch dry due to the fact that I had butter rather than cream, but it was very tasty and very filling! As a taste preference, I prefer sweetener in tea rather than sugar, but sadly only sugar was available, in tube packets. With the nature and style of this venue, I was surprised not to be presented with sugar cubes, which would top off the "cream tea" feel. The cream tea came to just £4.90, which for Manchester City Centre is very reasonable indeed!

The selection of teas on the menu was vast, and included several variants of my favourite, Earl Grey. As I paid up, I mentioned how I liked this, and that I'd have to try the different varieties next time, and the friendly staff passed over the various tea caddies of Earl Grey varieties for me to see and smell, which was a lovely touch. The 'rosey' blend smelled wonderful, and as I'll definitely be returning, I will have that next time! :)

The venue also does Afternoon Teas, sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, soups, and a lovely array of home-made cakes, which sit on the counter looking seductive. Damn sexy cakes. Next time.... next time!!



I will definitely be returning here, as it gives the other Manchester City Centre tea rooms a run for their money, whilst maintaining good value, and a relaxed, quiet, and friendly atmosphere, which can be lacking in said other venues due to the resurgence in popularity of tea rooms.



Proper Tea
Manchester Cathedral Visitors Centre
10 Cateaton Street
Manchester
(0161) 832 3220
www.properteadeveloper.com







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Proper Tea

by on 15:17
From the people who brought you Teacup on Thomas Street comes Proper Tea at Manchester Cathedral , which unlike its hipster and trend...
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