Grand Breakfast

 

The attention to detail is one important ingredient which makes this hotel de luxe and the best of its kind in Belfast.

By way of example, when I returned to my room last night, some member of staff had wafted in and brought out the tray with tea, coffee and biscuits; and there were many other little touches of detail, too. The curtains had been drawn and my bed sheets neatly pulled back a few feet.

Breakfast was fit for a merchant prince. As one would expect, it was superlative.

I breakfasted in the Great Room of Belfast's Merchant Hotel, once the banking hall of the Ulster Bank headquarters. The domed ceiling and surrounding plasterwork in this room is indeed superb, what with putti and angelic figures looking down on us, many of them gilded.

The seating and upholstery is luxurious, an opulent maroon velour with abundant gold detailing.

I was shown to my table and asked if I'd like some fresh fruit-juice and tea or coffee. Having a brief perusal of the menu, I chose the full, cooked breakfast.

It arrived speedily, as did the selection of toast and pastries.

Breakfast was served on a large plate and consisted of sausage; two rashers of lean back bacon; half a tomato; a large whole mushroom; two thick slices of black and white pudding; an egg, a little disc of potato bread; and soda bread. Have I omitted anything? I think not.

Of course the menu had other items thereon, including smoked salmon and scrambled egg.

I think I'll go for a stroll now, perhaps towards the Cathedral Quarter.