Labelled as a "must do" experience in Belfast, The Merchant Hotel's afternoon tea is a quintessential British experience that has effortlessly gained such a reputation.
Served up in The Great Room at the heart of the hotel, you can soak up the Victorian grandeur and remarkable chandeliers that add a timeless sense of glamour to the occassion. Bathed in bronze, orange and dark green colours, The Great Room delivers opulence to a tee.
In this 2 AA Rosette awarded restaurant, the dynamic team of patisserie chefs prepare a menu of traditional delights while also inviting innovation and excitement in the selection and presentation of the afternoon tea - on a classic three-tiered silver stand.
From a rich Oolong to a refreshing house blend, a myriad of teas make for an elegant accompaniment to the food menu. If you fancy it, you could even upgrade your afternoon tea experience to include a cocktail or glass of champagne for that extra touch of decadence.
With traditional, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and nut free menus, The Merchant ensures no guest is left out. Each is split into three sections, namely sandwiches, bakery and patisserie to finish. The chefs take a classic egg sandwich and pair it with creamy mozzarella and italian herbs; while a simple ham and cheese sandwich is transformed by soft brie and a sweet onion marmalade. Of course, the afternoon tea classic is left to its timeless elegance: smoked salmon, dill cream cheese and a light crunch of cucumber.
Sweet treats include a refreshing lemon drizzle cake and a light mango and coconut cremeux, with the chefs showing off their innovation by pairing pistachio and orange blossom in a delicate madeleine. The innovation doesn't stop there as the team perfectly crafts a chocolate sphere which is filled with summer berries and vanilla. Of course, the menu would not miss off the classic scone which come served freshly-baked and accompanied by Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve.