My friend Redqueen and I started this project  about a year ago.  At first we would meet up under the pretence of visiting an art gallery or some other cultural interest,  but eventually we abandoned the pretence and just went for the tea. and a chinwag.

So this has been in the archives for ages waiting to be finished. Then  I realised that it is never going to be finished.

Tomorrow we are continuing our research by returning to the Richmond Tea rooms, because I didn’t have any pictures.  We will see if this place is a good a second time and I promise to get pictures.

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http://www.richmondtearooms.com/

We went back to the Richmond tea rooms, my personal favourite,  as I had no photos and I will post this account separately soon.
Photo courtesy of Redqueen.

http://www.afternoontea.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1154&Itemid=9

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http://www.radissonblu-edwardian.com/afternoontea
This conversion of the  historic Free Trade Hall is luxurious and the décor stunning.  We were shown to the glass covered bar overlooking the street. The waiter asked if we had any dietary preferences for the sandwiches and we said we did not like smoked salmon. Unfortunately when the tea came there were smoked salmon sandwiches on the plate.  The waiters seemed very pressured, even though the place did not seem that busy and it took a while to get somebody’s attention, when we did they rushed away saying they would be with us in a moment. This took about ten minutes.

 Although the wait staff were polite, I felt that the calm ambiance of the lounge and afternoon tea was spoiled by the busyness of the waiters.  I think good waiter, like a duck may be peddling furiously underneath but remain calm on the outside.  They should be invisible, but available when you need them.

Eventually when the smoked salmon was removed, unfortunately the rest of the sandwiches were tainted with the strong flavour of the smoked salmon.  I should have sent them back a second time but the first time had been such an effort I just left. it.

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http://www.slattery.co.uk/

This was a christmas present from my daughter which came in the form a metal pebble. So I took Michael with me.
Slatterys is a renowned local cake maker with a cafe upstairs. The business is housed in an old pub out of Manchester city centre so a car is needed to get there ( unless you cycle!)

We were asked what kind of sandwiches,we wanted  from ham, tuna, egg and cheese, and not given a selection.

5. THE MIDLAND HOTEL
http://www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/the-midland-manchester/news/afternoon-tea-at-the-midland.aspx

Once Manchesters premier hotel, sadly the Midland has been overtaken by it’s newer rivals  the Raddisson and the Lowry.  The Octagon lounge is a bit dark and dreary for my taste and the public areas could do with a make over.
  The tea however was fine and the service was good.  The preserves and jam with the scones was especially tasty. The sandwiches were fresh and NO smoked salmon, but poached salmon on rye bread which was delicious. The cakes were a bit plain and we cut them in half as there were not two of everything.