Vicars Cafe Bistro.....Social Enterprise at it's best.....

Having looked at the Saltaire Festival last year one of the local eateries took my eye.  Vicars Cafe Bistro is a busy cafe in the very heart of the famous Saltaire World Heritage site which is run with a Christian outlook and a vision to serve the community, aiming to encourage people to look at Christianity in a different light and recently it achieved Social Enterprise status (businesses whose prime purpose is social, who operate ethically and are democratically owned and governed).





Alongside the busy Café they run an evening Bistro on Fridays and Saturdays. A selection of seasoned dishes (including meat, fish, and vegetarian options) are available, with a menu which changes on a monthly basis. From a table for one to a group of 24, they can cater to your needs so if you’re planning a celebratory meal out, why not choose Vicars?

If you're looking for a recommendation for any eatery then what more could you ask for than a visit from a Michelin Star chef.....Alan Murchison visited the cafe back in May and cooked up a storm.

He's executive chef of L'Ortolan, a restaurant in Shinfield near Reading with a Michelin star, three AA rosettes and 8/10 in The Good Food Guide.

As Managing Director of 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group, he's set himself a goal to open 10 Michelin star restaurants by 2018.  






They host several group events in the Red Room Lounge, such as the popular weekday Mum and Baby Groups, ‘Knitterati’ knitting sessions, and weekend Storytelling group 'Tell Me Another' . The Red Room is also available for local artists to exhibit their work, and the space is available to hire for events. They proudly continue to support the efforts of local events and groups such as the Arts Trail and Saltaire Festival.



They support the Red Fund a charity working to aid HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe.  As much as possible their goods are sourced locally or Fair Trade with cakes baked on site and food prepared fresh for each customer.  They are always keen to hear new ideas of how to create community within the area.

As a Cafe they are open Monday, Wednesday - Saturday between 10-5pm. And as a 5 course meal Bistro on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30pm ..... (booking is essential for the evenings).  

So if you're local or just visiting, nip in for a cuppa and a chat, find out what they're about or even join in, they'll be more than pleased to see you.

Teacup on Thomas Street.....one of Manchester's finest!

                                              

 

Ok, so you've done the shopping in Manchester and you're trying to think of somewhere different for food and a cuppa but you're surrounded by the ordinary..... look no further than Teacup on Thomas Street in the city's Northern Quarter for delicious breakfasts, lunches, evening meals plus a large selection of cakes and loose leaf teas and a cracking cup of coffee (two shots in every cup).


Teacup on Thomas Street will feature in The Good Food Guide 2013 and they couldn’t be prouder. It's the UK’s best selling restaurant guide and is a trusted list of the best producers, restaurants, chefs, cafés and eateries across the UK.  The Good Food Guide is written entirely independently, following customer recommendations and journalist reviews.


They're grateful to all of their customers, whose constructive feedback has helped shape their business, and whose recommendations have helped them to get noticed by such a respected institution. The Good Food Guide sets a benchmark of quality, and they're honoured to be recommended in the new edition.

Now down to the important stuff.....the food!  From breakfast to supper they have a delicious menu to suit the tastes of even the most discerning diner.  How about kicking off with their 'Scrambled Deluxe'.....a perfect start to any day.  Creamy scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with piperade and delicious smoked Gnome Hat peppers.  A Basque delight!



If it's lunch you're after then their 'cheeky' Moo Pie (minus the horns and hooves) on the left is the perfect cure for the Autumn blues.  Longhorn beef in a buttery pastry, served with creamy mash and root vegetables.  Desperate Dan would love it!  

Or on the right, how about Catalan Sausage Roll with sweetly smoked sausage wrapped in flaky puff pastry, served with a rich bean ragu and a crisp fragrant salad.  Just ever so slightly a cut above Greggs!




Now as the day goes on and you're thinking of teatime why grill at home when you could be eating a tasty Rarebit Chutney on Doorstep Toast at theirs with a nice cup of loose leaf tea served hot or chilled.

Did I mention the cakes?  They offer a huge selection of cakes, cookies, muffins and sweet pastries cooked with love in the Teacup Bakery and a new list is presented for your pleasure and indulgence every day.  

Wherever possible all ingredients are locally sourced. organic and fair trade.  Your server will be able to provide you with the provenance of any item on the menu and where they can't source the best option that item will have been withdrawn from the menu temporarily, such is their commitment to customer satisfaction and sustainable sourcing.

Book Teacup for your Christmas party!

£20 for two courses and a Christmas cocktail
Passionate about refreshing old favourites and reviving British classics, their chefs have created a Christmas menu which gives a Teacup twist on traditional Christmas dishes.
Try the Gobble Gobble Pie for a slice of Christmas lunch – juicy turkey & cranberry wrapped in flaky puff pasty, served with root veg, creamy sage mash and gravy. Or tuck into the Mistletoe & Swine; rich pork sausages wrapped in pancetta blankets, served in a crispy Yorkshire pud with apricots and black pudding.  If you’re already tired of turkey sandwiches why not try the Christmas Momos – crispy Himalayan dumplings filled with root veg, tofu and festive spices. Served with seasonal greens, curry sauce and crunchy Christmas Quavers.




Christmas dishes are available everyday at lunchtime, and evening service from 6.30pm Wed to Sat.

Click here to view the full festive menu.

They're offering a Christmas party package, perfect for work’s-dos or large get togethers. £20 for two courses and a Christmas cocktail.

Spaces are limited so get in touch with them on..... christmas@teacupandcakes.com and 0161 832 3233 to arrange your party.

Now the downside is me being a Jack Russell is I'll have to sit outside tied to a lamp post while the old dears go in and stuff their faces.....just hope they bring me a doggie bag with some of that Gobble Gobble and a slice of cake.....

Teacup on Thomas Street

53-55 Thomas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M4 1NA, United Kingdom

Tea Room, Coffee Shop, Café

About our maps

Get directions

+44 161 832 3233   @teacupandcakes   teacupandcakes.com  

Baked-to-order Madeleines 

coming soon to.....

Teacup on Thomas St

The cake connoisseurs at Teacup on Thomas St have come up with the perfect winter warmer for the cooler Autumn weather. 
Every Wednesday (and Wednesday’s only!) their expert chefs will bake French Madeleines fresh to order, serving them hot from the oven while you wait.
Madeleines are lightly fragranced French sponge cakes, and are loved for their delicate flavour and soft texture. Madeleines will be served with a rich French hot chocolate.






Madeleine Wednesdays will launch at the Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2012. Check out their pop-up stall in Albert Square from Saturday 22nd September. 







For more information 
on Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2012 visit foodanddrinkfestival.com.

Teacup nominated as ‘Casual Dining Venue of the Year’ at Manchester Food & Drink Festival Awards 2012

They're delighted to announce that they have been nominated as ‘Casual Dining Venue of the Year’ at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival 2012.
Awards are granted through a combination of customer votes and secret judging.

Please help them win by casting your vote HERE.

Manchester Food & Drink Festival is the UK’s biggest celebration of food and drink, and will celebrating it’s 15th festival this year. They're honoured to have been part of the festival in previous editions, and they're going to be there cooking up something special once again this year.

Liverpool's family friendly restaurant.....What's Cooking

Heading into Liverpool with the kids at the weekend and looking for a family friendly restaurant that serves great food.....look no further than the multi award winning What's Cooking? in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on The Albert Dock which overlooks Liverpool's The Three Graces.  It's been serving up great food since 1978 and sources it from local butchers, farmers and bakers to provide you with the finest and freshest daily produce available from sustainable sources.



They're an American Diner style no-nonsense, TexMexin', Nachos and Cheesin',  Burger flippin', Chicken wingin', Steak sizzlin', Fajita wrappin', Drink pourin' sensation.....plus they have free WiFi, TV's in every booth and free DS Lite available for the kids!




There's always a great deal to be had too.....whether it's a 3 course meal deal for £20, a bucket of beer or a bottle of house wine for a tenner to the exceptionally priced 'Lets Do Lunch' where you get 2 courses for £10 or the Sunday Specials menu where you get 3 courses for only £15 all day long.....why should Mum cook for the family on a Sunday when she can relax and enjoy herself too.....Result!

                                                                                                         

Now if you're a fan of US TV series Man V Food this one's for you.....The Olympic Burger.....all you have to do.....is eat 24 ounces of ground beef in 24 minutes.....oh yeah, and all the trimmings.....and its FREE.....c'mon Dad are you man enough to step up to the challenge.....and if Dad isn't Randy Santell definitely is and you can watch him try live.....




You've seen the programme, you've winced at the challenges. Well have we got a treat for you! On 18th October What's Cooking will be hosting 'Man Vs Food' with 113 competition champion Randy Santel of Kansas City, America. 

During his UK tour Santel will be stopping of at Liverpool to take on the Olympic burger challenge. For those of you who don't know the challenge consists of 1 x 24oz beef burger with 6 rashers of bacon, cheese, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos as well as 2 sides of chili chips! Santel only has 24 minutes to devour this feast or he pays the forfeit!

                          

Smoked Salmon Tarte Tatin

Here's another Tarte Tatin recipe but with a twist this time.....courtesy of those lovely food blogging people at..... JustLoveFoodLeith 


And that twist I mentioned... its muffin size  Shetland Smoked Salmon, Samphire, Herbs, Crowdie and potato Tarte Tatins with a duck egg and lime mayo served with seasonal leaves.

Ingredients:

Scottish smoked salmon slices

Samphire

Chopped chives

Spring onion, sliced finely in diagonal

Parsley leaves (not chopped but whole)

Waxy potatos simply boiled, peeled and crushed (Charlottes jersey Royals or Maris Peer are ideal)

Crowdie (you could substitute cream cheese)

Butter

Sea salt flakes

Freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

1. Line a muffin tin with butter.
2. Cover with smoked salmon slices to the brim, add the potato mix (potato, all herbs, Crowdie cheese, the samphire and season to taste).  Then overlap the ends of the salmon slices to cover the mix.
3. Top with a round of puff pastry (you can make your own, but as usual, Ralph says..... ready made works just as well).  Make sure to tuck in the ends of the pastry all around the edge of the tin.
4. Egg wash it and bake at 220 C for 20 minutes.
5. Take it out of oven and let rest for 5 minutes and then turn by placing a plate or board over before turning so they do not crumble (like they do on The Great British Bake Off).

Serve with seasonal salad, a nice mayo of your liking and a wedge of lime or lemon.

If you're feeling adventurous, for a delicious accompaniment make a Samphire Butter with white balsamic and the juice of one lime.

In a saucepan simmer the Samphire, some parsley and coriander stalks with butter, freshly ground pepper, add just a splash of white balsamic vinegar, the juice one lime, cook for about 5 to 7  minutes until tender, blitz and pass through a fine sieve, let cool and ready to serve.