The Stock Exchange Hotel has just launched its brand new Afternoon Tea experience, and we were buzzing to see what the venue’s Michelin-starred chef Niall Keating had to offer.
Nestled within the grand old bones of the former Stock Exchange, it was immediately clear that these lot would be serving up a Northern twist to one of Britain's most quintessential rituals: afternoon tea.
You'll be wowed upon just two steps into the joint before shortly being seated in a cosy booth under that soaring glass dome as light from the outside world pours in. And then, just as you're gaping in awe of your surroundings, attempting to capture the vibe perfectly on your phone camera, a server comes along and pours you a glass of renowned Champagne Collet Brut NV. Perfect.
After a nice bit of nattering with your guest, you'll soon be brought out a tower of sweet and savoury treats. Let's start with the fruit scones because, let's be honest, you simply can't do afternoon tea without them. These were warm and faintly golden, served with silky strawberry jam and a proper dollop of Cornish clotted cream. No theatre, no fuss, just tradition done right. Crumbly yet moist, these are the kind of scones you could eat five of.
The savoury bites very much so hold their own, too. The favourite among our offerings was the pork and Bury black pudding sausage roll with golden pastry and a rich, peppery filling that’s every bit as indulgent as it sounds. It’s bold, beautifully seasoned, and proudly northern.
The artisan sandwiches, however, were our favourite out of the tiers. The Prawn Marie-Rose served in milk rolls was perfectly buttery, while the roast beef with creamed horseradish offered all the tenderness with a fiery kick at the end. And if you’re in the mood for luxury, the truffled chopped egg mayonnaise delivers it with silky finesse. Elevated, indulgent, utterly moreish. This was the star player of the meal.
With that said, however, this afternoon is way more than just scones and sandwiches. The sweet treats here are unapologetically decadent. The hazelnut and praline Valrhona chocolate waffle cone goes lovely with the venue's signature '1906' tea (but more about that later).
The raspberry and vanilla choux bun was a cheeky nod to Black Forest nostalgia, and the Eccles cake macaron? Genius. A macaron filled with sticky-sweet raisin, topped with shortbread crumb – a love letter to local flavour with Parisian flair.
Niall and his team have hand-picked twelve teas to complement the menu from artisan specialists PMD. The '1906' tea is named after the year that the Stock Exchange building was opened and is made solely from seedling tea bushes planted around the turn of the last century, now over 100 years old.
This tea aims to recreate the unique flavours enjoyed in 1906 by those working and living in the stock exchange and across Manchester, and is a delicious brew benefiting from the depth of flavour of these mature but delicate tea bushes.
There’s also a Cocktail Afternoon Tea option for those seeking inventive drinks to complement the menu. Guests can choose from the Daytime Daisy’s (a creative blend of London Dry Gin, chamomile, vanilla, lemon and egg white) or the refreshing Citrus Serenade (grapefruit, bergamot, sparkling wine).
And to really make you feel fancy, the Stock Exchange Hotel’s Afternoon Tea will be accompanied at the weekend by live music courtesy of an array of local musicians, including a monthly visit from the world-famous Hallé Orchestra - Manchester’s original symphony orchestra.
The regular Afternoon Tea offer is available for £35 per person, with Champagne pairings starting at £45 per person. Reservations are strongly recommended.
"Manchester has always been a city that inspires creativity, ambition, and connection," says Executive Chef Niall Keating. "This afternoon tea experience reflects that legacy while also providing a warm, welcoming and delicious new afternoon tea experience for the city."
Find out more here.