AND The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon began life in a way similar to any number of cute cupcakeries that have opened in Manchester over the past couple of years.

The mini scones in the second course were incredibly fluffy and light, as well as outlandishly cute and went perfectly with the clotted cream and strawberry jam they came with them.

It was born in 2008 out of a trip down under for Anna and James that inspired them to start their own cupcake revolution from their home kitchen.

After a couple of years selling thousands of cakes at the Piccadilly Farmers Market in the city centre, And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon found a permanent home on Burton Road in West Didsbury.

It's stands out from a lot of south Manchester competitors.

Take the afternoon tea (£10.95 per person) in this gorgeous vintage inspired tearoom.

And DishAfternoon tea

This is the perfect way to while away a couple of hours on a rainy, slightly hungover Saturday afternoon. It is served from 1pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and booking is essential. 

The tea comprises of three courses, a choice of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a choice of three cakes with a pot of loose-leaf tea all served on a three tiered, china cake stand made by in the area.

InteriorInterior

On my visit I chose the egg and lemon and chive mayo sandwich, while my fussier half went for a cheese and chutney sandwich, without the chutney.

The tangy mayo was the perfect companion for the egg and soft whole wheat bread (with the crusts cut off, in mini triangles, as it should be for afternoon tea). I was assured that the cheese sandwich hit the spot as well.

I’ve already made a mental note to convince someone else to join me next weekend so I can sample the roast beef, rocket and horseradish sauce sandwich.

I accompanied my sandwiches with a pot of peppermint tea, complete with a tea strainer - a novelty of which I will never tire. Mr Fussy doesn’t like hot drinks, so requested a thick, sumptuous, ice cold vanilla milkshake as a replacement.

The mini scones in the second course were incredibly fluffy and light, as well as outlandishly cute and went perfectly with the clotted cream and strawberry jam they came with them. The accompaniment of strawberries dipped in dark chocolate was a taste match made in heaven.

Sweet boxes and fancy cakesSweet boxes and fancy cakes

At this point, I have to admit, we were both feeling incredibly full. Anyone who thinks that afternoon tea is simply a posh snack between lunch and dinner has another thing coming if they visit The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon.

I decided to soldier on with my Daim bar cake. The sponge was slightly heavier than I am used to, but layered between sections of creamy, caramel filler, topped with more of the same and crushed pieces of Daim bar, the effect was delicious. The sneaky mouthful of McFusserton’s lime drizzle cake was equally as mouth-watering, with the tang of the lime surprisingly blending perfectly with the buttercream icing.

The admission from the man who regularly eats us out of house and home that he couldn’t manage his pint of Guinness cake and Chocmeister cupcake at this point, was in stark contrast to his earlier manly boast that he definitely wouldn’t need to take any of his cakes home.

We requested a very stylish doggy box.

I had a chocolate brownie that was just the right side of rich, and a deep red, chocolatey, buttermilk covered red velvet cupcake for breakfast this morning.

My only slight gripe is that despite being told we could just replace the tea with the milkshake, we found out on paying there was a small supplementary charge. Even so, I hugely recommend you pay And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon a visit, or even make the most of their outside catering, cupcake classes or special occasion afternoon teas, such as the Jubilee or Father’s Day themed ones.

ALL SCORED CONFIDENTIAL REVIEWS ARE IMPARTIAL AND PAID FOR BY THE MAGAZINE. 

And the Dish Ran Away With The Spoon, 230 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LW www.dishandspoonfood.co.uk

Rating: 15.5/20 (please see the criteria below for an explanation of the scoring)
Food: 7.5/10
Service: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5

PLEASE NOTE: Venues are rated against the best examples of their kind: fine dining against the best fine dining, cafes against the best cafes. Following on from this the scores represent: 1-5 saw your leg off and eat it, 6-9 get a DVD, 10-11 if you must, 12-13 if you’re passing,14-15 worth a trip,16-17 very good, 17-18 exceptional, 19 pure quality, 20 perfect. More than 20, we get carried away.