Birthday in Brilliant Belfast
After a introduction to Belfast via a fantastic day trip from Western Scotland, it’s fitting to go back for a special visit to celebrate a birthday.
I still love the Titanic Quarter and this time had time to spend in the amazing museum there. I could have spent more time if my feet hadn’t started hurting from all that standing and taking in as much information about the ship as possible. It gives a good insight into the history of shipbuilding and the area itself.
The coffees were good and hotter than usual from the Pocket (excellent filters and chocolate coconut cake) close to our neighbourhood and Papercup by the Titanic Museum. The last one at the more corporate Franklin & James not so much though.
While the birthday afternoon tea at The Merchant was good and in the most scrumptious surroundings, I was gob-smacked when the waitress decided to explain what an Afternoon Tea was to us before taking our order. This was in Northern Ireland and they were telling us Brits what afternoon tea was! I was further astonished when on two separate occasions my boyfriend was taken to be a woman. He does have amazing shoulder length hair but have they never seen a man with hair in Belfast? Once may have been amusing but the second time it started to grate. It was a shame the attention to every detail shown in the food presentation, take-out box and interiors didn’t extend to the service. Although it’s worth popping in just to see the interior of this former bank.
The balance out this extravagance, the other meal was at the popular Bunsen Burger which holds a special place in the heart of the beloved due to a previous solo visit. The place has a delightfully simple menu written on a business card and good, fast service.
Next time, we’ll take tea at the gorgeous Fitzwilliam hotel where we had a fabulous birthday cocktail experience. It was so lovely I’m tempted to stay there next visit! We also enjoyed great beers at our local The Practioner too. The area where we stayed at the Tara Lodge was excellent due it’s numerous restaurants and cafes plus fast food joints that we don’t see in England which came in handy for a quick late snack on Afternoon Tea day.
On the last day, the (free) exhibition at City Hall tugged at my heart way and I am heading straight back there for the next visit to continue with it. Belfast is one place (that I actually want to go to) that’s easy to get to from Birmingham Airport and as I sensed last time, it is on the up.
October 2019
