So a few weeks ago I was on my way to the cinema with Kieran, when I spotted some people in the window of the Radisson Hotel in Manchester eating dainty things off a cake stand, with a pot of tea at their side. Where is this place? Why don’t I know about it? Why haven’t I been here? …were some of the many questions Kieran had to listen to all afternoon.

As soon as I got home I was on the internet booking a table for the following Sunday. You already know how I feel about tearooms, so imagine the glee at finding somewhere that serves proper afternoon tea. My friend Rachel, is just as excited by tea and cake as me, so we went together and a very genteel and proper time was had by both of us! (My wheat intolerance was forgotten about today – nothing comes between me and a scone).

It’s £14.99 per head, and you each get a pot of leaf tea (I chose Earl Grey, obviously!), finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes and scones

The finger sandwiches were double layered and we had a variety of fillings including smoked salmon and cream cheese, cheese,  ham and tuna. I particularly enjoyed these because I never eat bread and this is the first sandwich I’d had in many months.

We then had a variety of cakes, each one delicious. Cream horn that had some kind of jam in it, carrot cake, chocolate cake and fruit tart.

And last but not least, plain and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream (the only way to do a cream tea – accept no substitutions for clotted cream!)

Unsurprisingly, we were fairly stuffed after wading our way through all that food – you certainly get your money’s worth. It’s just as filling as eating a big lunch and I was so full I actually didn’t have dinner later.  It’s a really nice experience too – we were there for a good hour and a half drinking tea and chatting away.

I might bring out the lace gloves next time 🙂