It’s a known fact that it rains a lot in Vancouver, but a local chef has taken our city’s often dreary weather forecast and used it as an inspiration for a playful twist on a classic menu.

A Raincouver-themed afternoon tea is currently being served at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8 Restaurant (900 West Georgia Street).

Created by chef de cuisine Dennis Peckham, the whimsical tea set brings the drizzles indoors and is available through April 12 (Wednesday to Sunday).

Served in Notch8’s private dining room, guests will see fitting décor like rain clouds and umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, and am impressive three-dimensional stormy-weather painting—complete with lightning and torrential downpour.

Start off with some warming tea from Fairmont’s own Lot 35 tea selection, which range from black to green to herbal teas.

Savoury food creations include blueberry scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, beet-cured salmon, mushrooms and bannock, seared bison, crab profiterole, and more.

The desserts pay homage to Vancouver’s rainy reputation, such as chocolate mud tart with chocolate soil, rainbow shortbread, wild-berry rain-drop macaron, rain puddle sweet bun with apricot filling, and an umbrella cupcake topped with an umbrella crisp.

Notch8 at the Fairmont has introduced many creative and conventional afternoon tea menus over the years, including one that invited guests to enjoy their tiered meal inside a window display case, and fun themes like chocolate laboratory and enchanted forest, among others.

The Raincouver afternoon tea ($65 per person, $32.50 for children, plus taxes and fees) has seatings available at various times throughout the day. Reservations can be made online.