When Botanist first came to Manchester, I got really excited about a space which combines dining with the aesthetics of a garden. We all know Manchester isn’t best known for its sunny skies, so creating an indoor environment where you can socialise and chill sounds ideal to me. Here, I explore Botanist’s spring menu at their Media City site in Salford, Greater Manchester with my blogger friend, Lacey of Laceyfitspo.*
I have a slight obsession with teas and hoarding teas from my travels. I love trying out new teas as you can try lots of different flavours but without the fullness of typical meals or desserts. I know a lot of people find anything but black tea dull and weak tasting, and it can be an acquired taste as quite often the smell is stronger than the taste, but I love it. I was therefore excited to see Bird and Blend Tea Co. (used to be Bluebird) being added to Manchester’s repertoire! This is especially so since I hate coffee. Here, I attend their launch event open to the general public. *
Time for something a little different on the blog. In the current economy, sorting your finances has never been more important. A lot of this is prioritisation, you could eat out for lunch every weekday but you could also be saving that money to go towards something you want more. This could be a deposit for a house or a holiday (for more delicious food!). And let’s not forgot saving for a rainy day when life does throw you a curve ball and you find yourself suddenly needing to pay off a large sum.
I was invited to the giffgaff gameplan event to see how they can assist with this. The day involved delicious food from The Principal Hotel in Manchester as well as thrifty ways of living!
I venture out to Knutsford in Cheshire to try out their Afternoon Tea at the recently refurbished Courthouse. There’s something I really like about an Afternoon Tea. I know that it’s an all day affair and you are essentially gorging yourself on a combination of sandwiches, scones and desserts. You essentially need to forgo food on either side of the Afternoon Tea (or at least, I’ve had to)! It is usually nothing overly special, and yet I have thoroughly enjoy each Afternoon Tea I’ve eaten. I think because of the way it’s presented, you can essentially take your time and enjoy a long conversation with people without staff bringing and taking plates around you (apart from the occasional tea top up).*
Tattu was one of those places I’ve pondered visiting for a while. With an Asian fusion vibe, the food was either going to be hit or miss. I’m not against the idea of Asian fusion food, but as I grew up with Asian food, I know what is considered good by those standards and will therefore draw comparisons. Of course, I also grew up eating Western cuisine from my home country of Northern Ireland so I’ve had a varied upbringing in terms of food. When done right, fusion food can work, Hong Kong cuisine is proof of this blending of Chinese and English flavours.
Albert’s Schloss is located on Peter’s Street and it is hard not to spot with its impressive doors which is surrounded by foliage. I love watching how it changes with the seasons with beautiful wisteria in Summer and delicate fairy lights in Winter. I’ve heard many good things about their selection of beers and ales, so decided this would be an excellent place to bring a friend who would appreciate this. We visited one evening in December.
