Malmaison is undoubtedly one of the most impressive buildings overlooking Newcastle Quayside and the Millennium Bridge. The Newcastle hotel is within the former grade II listed Co-Operative Society building dating from 1900. It originally opened in 1997 with 122 rooms and was refurbished in 2015 at a cost of £1.2 million. Having recently reopened its uber popular Chez Mal Brasserie we were invited along to sample their Cocktail Afternoon Tea.
Upon arrival we were really pleased with first impressions, with lots of greenery and luxurious furnishing that resembles an upscale New York loft. Soft plush couches and mirrored glass, plump cushions and sectioned rooms so that you can have a private afternoon tea or function.
We were seated in one of the private rooms at the back of the brasserie, there are actually 3 rooms altogether which, when the curtains are drawn back create one big function room.
After explaining the way the afternoon tea worked, hubby ordered a coffee and I opted for the Hendricks GandTea – a fabulous tea cup and saucer filled with a cocktail of Hendricks gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, blackberry & elderflower tea syrup, lemon juice and tonic – simply amazing and definitely something I am going to try and replicate at home!
The afternoon tea was brought out on a slate stand and first impressions were good – the food was all freshly made and there wasn’t a mountain where by you feel guilty leaving lots (I think that is just as bad as having not enough – I hate waste!) – this was a decent amount that you feel full but not overly stuffed!
Our afternoon tea consisted of a fruit scone, hot smoked salmon & crème fraiche wrap, chipotle chicken & avocado wrap, mini burger, strawberry & vanilla pavlova, salted chocolate brownie (GF), lemon & polenta cake (GF), peach & Amaretto cream, frozen summer berry smoothie and your choice of our specialty teas. I skipped the tea and opted for another of the Hendricks GandTeas!
My favourite out of everything for lunch was the mini burger – such a flavorsome little fella with tomato salsa and crispy bun!
The only things I didn’t manage were the smoothie (not my thing, its like drinking yogurt!) and the scone – I was full up at this point as hubby doesn’t eat seafood so I ate his salmon wrap (too good to leave!!)
Overall we would highly recommend Chez Mal for an Afternoon Tea treat, I have plans to go back already and with the choice of Classic Cream Tea (£10), Champagne Afternoon Tea (£25) and Cocktail Afternoon Tea (£25) there really is something for everyone!
XOXO
Debbie
We were invited to try the experience for the purposes of this review. All opinions are our own and genuine.
I do like afternoon tea and this does look very good. I like how there are burgers too
Wow it looks impressive and I like that it’s a bit different with a burger/wrap instead of typical sandwiches!
The presentation is wonderful! It looks gorgeous as well as I bet tasting delicious 🙂 what a treat
What a quirky place for afternoon tea, I love the plants on the ceiling!
My mission is to have afternoon tea in all the major cities in the world! Off to Newcastle I come….
Afternoon tea os one of my fav things to do. I love the malmaison too…great brand…may have to give this a go 🙂 x
I love having afternoon teas and it always feels special. What a fantastic place, would love to visit! 🙂
Oh wow, what a pretty place for an afternoon tea! The spread looked fantastic too, especially the mini burger x
Wow I love the look of this! Afternoon tea is my absolute favourite thing 🙂 ox
I love having afternoon tea. It is the poshest thing ever!
Cocktail afternoon tea sounds right up my street. I love how it’s presented and wraps are one of my fave things to eat (well for lunch anyway lol) x
I have never been to afternoon tea but need to change this – it looks amazing