You may remember me visiting Cocoa Cabana at this time last year to try their Christmas afternoon tea. I enjoyed it so much I booked a date with Charlie to go back for some girlie time before the rush of Christmas.
A lovely addition to Cocoa Cabana in West Didsbury is the outside seating area. The owner acknowledges that this time of the year isn’t ideal for sitting outside so there was blankets and hot water bottles to encourage you to get cosy whilst you enjoy a hot drink. Such a cute idea!
Unfortunately the stilton crostinis were off the day we visited but we got extra of the other sandwiches instead so I certainly wasn’t complaining. Thick slices of baguette topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon, turkey and cranberry as well as cheese and pickle sandwiches were also on offer. All were excellent with the smoked salmon being my favourite. Thick slices of lovely salmon on a lightly seeded baguette that wasn’t the most dainty of things to eat but so worth it.
The lovely addition to this afternoon tea that I haven’t seen anywhere else is an extra dessert which was served with a lovely gingerbread truffle propped on a vintage spoon. So pretty and the cheesecake? Wow… a light crumb base topped with white chocolate buttons, cheesecake filling then a plum and pomegranate compote. The compote was refreshing and light with the pomegranate seeds giving a bit of texture. I also loved that the white chocolate had been left dotted around the base rather than mixed in with the cheesecake.
The scones were the same as last year served with cream and a salted caramel sauce rather than jam. Such a good change and the salted caramel here is just incredible. I need to be restrained to stop myself from eating the stuff straight out of the dish with a spoon. The scone was slightly too doughy in the centre but huge and filling. Anyone who can get through this afternoon tea in one sitting deserves a medal.
The top layer was a selection of mini cakes with minty candy canes, brownies and pudding truffles. The truffles are my favourite as they are spiced and gooey in the centre yet encased in thick chocolate which holds the whole thing together. The candy canes were like light macarons with a white chocolate and mint flavour that was really different but worked. The brownies are famous here so not a lot really needs to be said other than you need to come and try one. They are soft and gooey in the centre with a slightly crunchy coating. The exact way they should be and not at all dry.
Your afternoon tea includes your choice of hot drink from the menu and, being a chocolate shop, there is a hot chocolate menu alone for you to peruse. At £14.95 per person the afternoon tea is a bargain and the staff are happy to wrap up anything you can’t finish so you can take it home. The top layer made the perfect breakfast on a dreary Monday morning in the office.
Let me know what you think when you go…
Paid for in full.
1 Comment
Oh my gosh I need to visit! What lovely little touches and the food looks delicious. I might try to get The Bloke and his elderly Dad down there as I think Dad would find it a real treat.