Cafe Manor

They say you learn a new thing everyday. Well, today was no different.
After a hefty shopping trip round Donaghadee (never thought I’d hear the day when I’d be saying that…) on a wet, miserable, I was in dire need of a pick-​me-​up (it’s not what you’re thinking) and a little sit down. My dad, for the second time that day, and recommended this particular coffee shop to me, and for the second time that day I decided to go follow his recommendation.
Café Manor wasn’t all that busy at 3:30 on a Monday afternoon, but due to the weather that was hardly surprising. I plonked myself on a comfy seat in the corner, and was immediately approached by a waitress who has a large ‘specials’ board in one hand, and a menu in the other. I informed her I was only in for a hot chocolate, so she passed me that particular menu instead. As I glimpsed down the variety of coffees /​teas /​other beverages, my eyes fell upon the ‘Choc-​O-​Lait’ option, which sounded particularly interesting. The menu mentioned something about chocolate on a stick, but I wasn’t all that sure what this drink was really all about.
Fortunately, the waitress was back in no time at all and when I asked what the ‘Choc-​O-​Lait’ was, she explained that you got a glass of hot milk with a little cube of chocolate on a stick, and the idea was that you stuck the stick (try saying that at pace) in the milk and created your very own hot chocolate. Bring it on, says I, and opted for the dark chocolate variety.
Within minutes, my ‘Choc-​O-​Lait’ was sitting right in front of me, dying to be dipped. I wasn’t too convinced when I first saw it… I mean, it literally was chocolate on a stick. However, once I’d dunked, stirred and drunk, I was in utter heaven. Honestly the best hot chocolate I had ever tasted, and what a novel idea! The little chocolate stick came wrapped in a piece of card which had all the details of the ‘Choc-​O-​Lait’ phenomenon on it, including the fact that it was produced in Belgium. I knew I loved that country…
With wonderful service, a stunning little coffee shop, and the introduction of this amazingly imaginative drink, I simply have to give Café Manor five stars.

Café Manor looks like a little castle at the side of the road. It is attached to the walls of a large, privately owned manor house and as a stranger to the area it was all a bit like a fairy story.
I could see the side of a castle wall and a big castle style gate with a sign saying entry was gained only through the café so I went in with the purpose of getting behind those gates.
I chatted to the waitress who told me that behind the walls lay an ancient walled garden and I was welcome to go in for the princely sum of £1.50 — how could I resist? I could walk around and pretend I was in the secret garden whilst supping a cup of Teapigs tea — a really nice blend of flavored tea that you will only find in some places.
The little walled garden is well maintained — I guess that is where my £1.50 goes — and it is full of blooming flowers, trees, benches, ornate statues and quaint little areas to sip your tea. I was well impressed with it. At the back I also spotted another secret door with private written all over it — i tried to get in but I couldn’t, I imagine that leads up to the manor house itself which I tried to see from the road but couldn’t.
The café inside is a modern mix of pine and light. The roof is plastic or glass plates so a lot of light comes in and there are net curtains on the roof to shade the midday sun. The place was heaving and as I left I asked a lady who claims to eat there all the time her favourite dish and she recommends the chicken and chorizo lasagna. I personally recommend a tea, a sunhat, a sun chair and the little ancient walled garden out the back.