The Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester
Today, I’m revisiting an
afternoon tea that was spectacular on a whole different level, quite literally.
Yes, allow me to take you 23 floors above ground level at Manchester City
Centre’s iconic Hilton Hotel. Cloud 23 is the cocktail bar in the skies which
serves food and drinks for every occasion.
It’s the highest point in the
city, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing the most stunning backdrop to an
afternoon of indulgence. Be sure to dress to impress, as the Cloud 23
experience is pure class.
There are a range of different
afternoon tea experiences on offer, from a basic Cream Tea (£14) to the full
traditional fare (£25).
We had the traditional
afternoon tea with a cocktail each – or, in my case, a ‘mocktail’. The cocktail
menu is innovative and full of theatrical creations, including a fine selection
of non-alcoholic alternatives in the ‘Blue Sky Drinking’ section.
I had a ‘Cherry Blossom Skies’:
a light and fluffy cream fizz flavoured with cherry, almond and citrus.
Reminiscent of a Bakewell tart with added zing, it was deliciously refreshing,
although very indulgent. It certainly wasn’t the kind of drink to quench your
thirst, but that didn’t matter, as the afternoon tea comes with an unlimited
supply of hot drinks – tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
 |
| Mocktails |
The selection of sandwiches
were roast ham on brown bread, prawn mayonnaise with bistro salad on a tortilla
wrap, a goat’s cheese and beetroot wrap and a Croque Monsieur. All the
sandwiches were fresh and flavoursome and there was a good cross-section of
flavours.
 |
| Traditional Afternoon Tea |
Our scones were served warm,
although by the time we’d finished the sandwiches, they’d gone cold. They were
filled with dried apricots, which didn’t bring much to the scones in terms of
flavour. I prefer the more traditional sultanas.
 |
| Scones |
Sitting aboard the top tier of
the three-tiered cake stand in all their glory were some truly scrumptious
cakes. There was a vanilla and chocolate sponge cake, a strawberry and white
chocolate tart and a cheesecake in a shot glass. The vanilla and chocolate
sponge was my favourite: not at all rich and very moreish. The cheesecake was disappointing.
Cheesecake is my ultimate favourite dessert, so I was expecting great things. The
texture was wrong. It was too airy, making it more like a mousse, and it lacked
a crunchy biscuit base.
If you love an indulgent
afternoon tea, Cloud 23 is an experience you simply can’t afford to miss. The
views and ambience make it well worth the £25 per person, especially when you
can have an unlimited supply of cappuccinos, lattes or hot chocolates as well
as a wide range of tea blends.
Relax in stylish and
sophisticated surroundings with unparalleled views, delicately prepared
sandwiches and cakes and decadent cocktails. Whatever the occasion, it’s the
perfect way to celebrate.
Pre-booking is essential. Gift
vouchers can be purchased online.
Website: https://www.cloud23bar.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment