Neighbourhood, all day eatery and late bar have re-launched a brand new afternoon tea menu, ideal for a girly day out, or one to get you in the good books for Mother’s Day. The venue, which was refurbished in summer last year, already well known for its popular bottomless brunch and late night drinking, is adding a new gem to its already glimmering crown with the launch of their afternoon tea menu.
We arrive on a Saturday at 2pm, and the restaurant is packed out with people still enjoying the Bottomless Brunch, mixed in with casual lunch time diners & drinkers, but with a little room saved in the restaurant for walk ins. We’re escorted to a candyfloss pink booth towards the back of the restaurant, which has been laid with delicate glassware ready for our arrival.
We choose to order the champagne version of the afternoon tea, and are greeted with a glass of pink fizzy Veuve Clicquot, as well as a selection of tea & coffee in delicate white & yellow cups. As we make our way through the first pot of tea, live music started in the main restaurant, a much mellower atmosphere than Neighbourhood’s usual party reputation.
Onto the main event, the food. The afternoon tea is brought out on three tiered plates, with a selection of sandwiches and delicate sweet treats, and it’s not wrong to reach straight for the cakes. Sweet > savoury, hello sugar coma!
The top layer of goodies features a selection of pastries, made by Neighbourhood’s in-house pastry chef who likes cakes so much he has them tattooed up his own arm.
The real show-stealer is the strawberry & white chocolate macaroons, although the gold-dusted chocolate eclairs, and mini lemon meringue tart were also unbelieveable.
The second tier supports four fresh scones with fresh clotted cream & strawberry jam. Seriously good scones, no matter how you choose to pronounce it.
The afternoon tea includes a variety of sandwiches, from the old English tradition of cucumber and cream cheese, to a ham & mustard. All with the crusts cut off and perfectly shaped into little rectangles.
If you can’t finish the whole food mountain, and it’s no easy feat, Neighbourhood are happy to supply you with a goody box to take your leftovers, for a second round when you get home. Or for later in the day if you’re out for the afternoon like we were.
The afternoon tea is priced at £19.95 per person, or £24.95 with a glass of champagne, we recommend calling to book a table before you visit.
Neighbourhood, The Avenue North, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3BZ
0161 832 6334
www.neighbourhoodrestaurant.co.uk
