By Neil Sowerby
WITH The Yang Sing promising to unveil an exciting new project, a Chinese Tea House, “the first of its kind here in the UK outside of London” in time for the Year of the Sheep in February it seemed a good time to explore the delights of its Afternoon Tea deal.
Described as Manchester’s “best kept culinary secret” and available Monday to Saturday between 12 noon and 6pm, this is a far remove from crustless limp triangles with thinly sliced cucumber and cup cakes. It is very Chinese, predominantly savoury stuff.
You do get a pot of tea, of course – a choice of loose leaf Jasmine. Orange Pekoe, Pu’er, Shou Mee and Shui Xin – but your appetite has already been sharpened by a glass of Prosecco before you sample the dim-sum delights of paper-wrapped prawns with water chestnuts and coriander, steamed seafood yam tart in a coconut sauce and, a personal favourite among the eight tiny courses, cuttlefish bumblebees. No bees were hurt in the making of this – it is a presentation in homage to Manchester’s symbol. The whole tea costs £11.50.
Presentation (along with a bizarre pan-fried sticky water chestnut cake) is probably the only thing that lets the Afternoon Tea down. Staff, amiable as ever at this unstuffy Princess Street institution, bring over a series of dishes a mite randomly. Tea should have more ceremony. Let’s see what 2015, the Year of the Sheep brings.
For a full Afternoon Tea menu visit this link and also check out the restaurant’s Christmas Menu.
Yang Sing, 34 Princess Street, Manchester M1 4JY. 0161 236 2200.