Teacup Kitchen, Manchester | Just Add Ginger

Even though I've been working in Manchester for five months, I still don't know anything about it. Oh, I could tell you where Primark is, or where the Arndale is, but I still haven't discovered the city's hidden treasures yet. And that is something I'm really hoping to change.

One evening, just before Christmas, Boyfriend surprised me and met me after work on my side of Manchester. Normally it's a mad run to the train at Piccadilly, so it was nice to take some time out and explore the city away from the main street lights and scores of Christmas shoppers. 

Teacup Kitchen is in Manchester's Northern Quarter, just a short walk away from the Arndale Centre and Market Street. Somewhat reminiscent of Leaf on Bold Street in Liverpool, the welcoming atmosphere immediately embraces you, and invites you to stay awhile. If it had been during the day I could easily see myself sitting there for hours getting lost in a book. It's almost like you have walked off the street and sat down in someone's kitchen - there's a cosiness, and something very comforting about the atmosphere that just makes you feel instantly at home

Tummy's growling after long days in work, we immediately started to peruse the menu. Perhaps guessable by the name, Teacup Kitchen offers a very large selection of amazing-sounding teas. If you are an avid tea drinker, you would be in heaven here. Our teas come in cute teapots, with an accompanying egg timers which allowed you to choose how strong you wanted your cuppa. With a warm feeling now in our bellies, it was time to peruse the food menu. 

Being a sucker for a good plate of pie and mash, I chose the Cluck Cluck pie, and Boyfriend chose the same, but with chips. No shop bought meals for Teacup - the pies are freshly made, and oh could you tell! The confit chicken was so succulent and juicy it almost melted in your mouth. The veggies were cooked to perfection, with a slight crunch as you bit in to them, and the mushroom sauce was a well-seasoned accompaniment. And the mashed potato - oh, the mashed potatao! Creamy, delicious, and not a lump to be found. Honestly, this was one of the best slices of pie I've ever had, and I didn't want it to end.

Even though after our main we were feeing rather full, there was no way we were leaving without sampling dessert. I had already been eyeing up the Peanut Butter & Cookie Dough Brownie on the menu, and Boyfriend had been intrigued by the chocolate and nut tart (which I think was the dessert special of the day.)  Both were delicious, but I think I won with my choice. A rich, indulgent brownie, topped with lashings of peanut butter and gooey cookie dough, served with a ball of creamy, flavoursome vanilla ice cream, and dusted with chocolate. So generous a portion I couldn't finish, I ended up asking for the remaining dessert to be boxed up so I could take it home (no shame!) A dessert so tasty I was not willing to leave behind. 

I may not know much of Manchester yet, but if you are planning on visiting the city, love tea, cake, or beautiful freshly-made grub, you must head over to Teacup Kitchen. With a menu you'll never get bored of, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that just makes you feel so at home, it's a real hidden gem. 

For more information about Teacup Kitchen, head to:

http://www.teacupandcakes.com/