Afternoon tea at Sage Gateshead - a top setting for music but what about the food? While Sage Gateshead is famed for music performances what did we make of the afternoon tea?
Byline: James Moore
Well over a decade on from its construction the Sage remains a jewel in Tyneside's crown.
And while it's an established landmark and music centre, is theSagereally renowned for its food?
We went to try out the WinterAfternoon teaand put that to the test.
When we visited, on a Wednesday afternoon, it was very quiet. There were a few people in the casual cafe area but in the dining area there was only one other table.
This was earlier in the afternoon though so it's unlikely anyone going to see a performance that evening would be there yet.
We'd booked online where the offer of 'winter afternoon tea' had been available since December 1 for [pounds sterling]15.95 per person.
There was no offer of the 'gentleman's afternoon tea' that is often available and essentially trades in some cakes for some pastries.
There also wasn't any formal offer of adding prosecco to the tea, although the website offered Sipsmith (gin) cocktails for [pounds sterling]6. More on that later.
Evidence of the winter theme was in the sandwiches with turkey and stuffing first up. They came with a good selection of four other types of finger sandwiches - slightly more than expected.
Making up the list was cream cheese and cucumber, ham and mustard, egg and cress and caramelised red onion and hummus.
A nice variety with the turkey and egg being my favourites.
Moving up a layer were we on to the cake selection - another good mix.
The highlight for me were the white chocolate profiteroles - fresh and a nice twist with the white chocolate.
The Christmas tree shortbread was a close second with Victoria sponge and a mini meringue making up the cake collection.
With bulging belies by this stage we tucked into the fruit scones with jam and clotted cream. They weren't warm which was a shame and didn't strike me as being all that fresh - but once lathered in cream I didn't notice.
We weren't provided with a drinks menu but it would have been no use to me. My spectacularly boring order of 'normal tea' needs no menu. My wife asked if they had lemon and ginger and they did.
I'd remembered from the website that the Sipsmith cocktails were on...
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