- Meet our cover star: Lady Bushra - 28 January, 2023
- Film review: My Best Friend’s Exorcism (Amazon Studios, 2022) - 30 September, 2022
- LGB Alliance is an anti-trans ‘hate group’, says anti-extremism org - 23 August, 2022
This autumn, guests to Manchester’s iconic Cloud 23 can experience a gorgeous pairing of cocktails and fruit – Bubbles and Berries.
Hilton Manchester Deansgate’s luxury sky lounge is serving up this unique menu featuring bespoke Bubbles & Berries-themed cocktails, a typically indulgent afternoon tea and a uniquely inspired five-course cocktail progression menu with tapas-style berry dishes.
We were lucky enough to try out the progression menu, which really plays to the strengths of Cloud 23 and turns the traditional concept of the tasting menu on its head – putting the cocktails first.
The colourful progression menu starts with Bold BlackBerry: a fruity cocktail of Perrier Jouet Brut, vodka, blackberry, lemon and apple. This is accompanied with rich fresh fig stuffed with Brie and wrapped in smoked pancetta.
Next up we had a delicious zinger with delicate accompaniment: the Zesty Gooseberry (gooseberry caviar is a thing!) with chilli crab mousse, avocado puree and crispy melba toast.
Next up was the Crisp Lingberry (garnished with wild berry tea on the base) with beef fillet carpaccio, micro cress salad, balsamic red onions and pistachio crumb garnished with redcurrants.
Then we had the Spicy Blueberry (Perrier Jouet Rose, ginger, rose and blueberry foam) with flambeed apple and cinnamon sorbet.
The five-course menu ended on a high note: the Rich Red Berry cocktail with a deconstructed black forest gateaux. Superb, retro and as breathtaking as the sky-high views of Manchester. Well played, Cloud 23!
You can also indulge in the bespoke Bubbles and Berries Afternoon Tea whilst enjoying views of the Manchester skyline. The Afternoon Tea includes dishes such as ham and redcurrant croque monsieur, caviar blini with pomegranate pearls and a traditional scone with raspberry jam and Kir Royale clotted cream.
Finally, the aperitivo-style menu boasts a series of Bubbles & Berries cocktails with flavoursome savoury bites such as beef carpaccio with balsamic onions, pistachio crumb and red currant served on sour dough crisp, or try the king prawn and wasabi served in a seaweed waffle cone with micro cress salad and pickled ginger.
Available until 12 November, Bubbles & Berries will be hosted in Zeus lounge, with food menus available throughout Cloud 23.
So, whether you’re celebrating, enjoying a day in Manchester or just looking for a new experience, Bubbles and Berries is the tastiest way to wine and dine your way through the crisp autumn months.
To make reservations at Cloud 23 call 0161 870 1670 or emailcloud23.manchester@hilton.com. Alternatively book online via www.cloud23bar.com
