The Orangery at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is just one of the prestigious hotel's restaurants, but it does have something very special. Set beneath a soaring glass atrium, the room is flooded with natural light, with curved golden banquettes, soft neutral seating and contemporary artwork creating a stunning backdrop for afternoon tea, Champagne and oysters or casual snacks.
Here, afternoon tea is the headline experience. A traditional menu, the line up starts with finger sandwiches including English organic cucumber with lemon emulsion, Burford Brown egg mayonnaise, coronation chicken with macerated raisins, and Scottish smoked salmon with yuzu and dill cream cheese and caviar. Savoury bites follow in the form of a Cheshire cheese tart and Rhug Estate beef with horseradish in a Yorkshire pudding.
But, it's when it comes to sweets, that things start feeling particularly indulgent. Handcrafted pastries include strawberry and Champagne with vanilla sponge and mascarpone mousse, apricot and almond choux with miso praline, a tropical creation combining coconut and pineapple, and a chocolate and lime tartlet. Freshly baked scones arrive with Cornish clotted cream, Mrs Darlington’s strawberry jam and lemon curd. Vegetarian, plant-based and gluten-free versions are also available.
Later in the day, The Orangery is known for its Champagne and oyster menu, taking the indulgence up a notch once more. Oysters are selected according to the season and can be paired with dressings including Champagne and pink peppercorn, cucumber, apple and elderflower, smoked chilli mignonette or Thai green dressing.
There's also a snacks and sharing menu for something between afternoon tea and a full meal. Highlights include Devon crab with avocado and gin-pickled cucumber, lobster rolls with crispy nori and trout roe, organic beef sliders, Graceburn feta with chilled tomato consommé and grilled watermelon, and a Scottish salmon tasting with gravlax, hot-smoked salmon, capers and blini.