2:05pm Monday 5th November 2012
By Nikki Jarvis
Dainty little sandwiches, cute cakes and Earl Grey are perfect for a wonderfully girly afternoon tea – but what is there for the manly men in our lives?
Gentlemen in Blackheath who feel slightly awkward holding miniature fancies but secretly wish they too could partake in a leisurely afternoon treat with friends, need look no further.
Chapters brasserie has come up with the perfect solution.
And seeing as my fiancé is a bit of a foodie, a raging carnivore and adores eating out, I decided to treat him to the butch new tasting menu.
Scrapping tea in favour of Greenwich Meantime Beer, I set my femininity aside for a couple of hours.
I never thought I’d dislike anything with chocolate in the name, but I have to say my companion’s Chocolate Porter was anything but sweet.
According to our fantastic server, this beer is a hit with most men and doesn’t get the usually intense reaction from women faced with chocolate.
But my Raspberry Wheat tasted like summer in a glass, and made the ideal companion for the culinary treasures which were about to arrive.
My fiancé’s eyes lit up with pure joy when our separate chopping boards - full of beautiful, but very masculine – snacks was presented to us.
From salt beef on toasted rye with mustard mayonnaise, to the most delicious warm duck croquants with plum chutney, there was something scrumptious for every meat lover.
“This is a man’s dream – no vegetables, just meat.” My companion said.
“But what about this celeriac under the venison?” I replied.
“It doesn’t count because it’s disguised under a mountain of meat.” He said.
I’m not usually a fan of venison, perhaps because I’m a Disney-loving girl who sees Bambi looking up at me from the plate, but this was divine.
Oysters are also on the menu, along with utterly gorgeous deep fried herring melts with garlic and parsley croutons.
We were stuffed, but dessert was still to come.
Apparently, there is one faithful Chapters customer who enjoys the afternoon tea at least four times a week – he cannot get enough of it, and I can totally see why.
Next came the warm chocolate brownie, treacle tart and cream – oh sweet lord.
I can’t do this dessert justice with words.
The brownie was by far the best I’ve ever tasted – we were both in cocoa heaven.
Moist and warm in the centre, it melted in my mouth.
We agreed it would simply be too dangerous to have these available in supermarkets.
So if you’re looking to capture your man’s heart this Christmas, Chapters’ Gentlemen’s Afternoon Tea is certainly a safe bet.
The menu must be booked in advance and is available until the end of November and again after December.
Visit chaptersrestaurants.com
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