The Mystery Muncher
Café Thyme at the Old Byre Visitor Centre, Machrie
We tried out the Café Thyme for a family lunch, but perhaps I’ll start with the idea that the Old Byre now grandly calls itself a Visitor Centre – and so it is! With a toddler, a 9-year-old and four adults of varying ages we could have been a hard group to amuse – but we dug in sandpits, drove trucks, bought lovely clothes, played tennis, painted plates, swung on swings, threw a few hoops – all working up an appetite for lunch.
Lunch itself was easy to manage despite the varying needs of our group. For jaded adult tastes, Turkish pides cooked to order in the wood-burning oven provided variations on the pizza idea; although a little on the small side they came with a great range of toppings and fresh salads. Café Thyme tries to use local, seasonal food wherever possible, although this wasn’t too obvious from our plates. Children’s chicken nuggets and chips hit the spot for the 9-year-old, who reported that they were ‘fine’. I guess it’s hard to provide stand-out food for most children with their conservative tastes. Would have been good if the chicken nuggets could have been free-range, which amazing product is actually available on Arran at Hooked and Cooked in Brodick Harbour – of which perhaps more another time!
Desserts were typical of Arran fare, sticky toffee pudding being in fact precisely that: sticky and sweet. Profiteroles were our other choice – what chocolate delights could Café Thyme provide? Profiteroles are always a favourite for me and these were no exception, just a little on the soggy side perhaps. It would be delightful if Café Thyme could experiment more with its Turkish credentials and expertise by offering an unusual Turkish style dessert to go with its pides. The welcome and service was friendly and prompt, despite there being a large number of customers spilling out onto the outdoor tables. The café setting is modern and pleasant, with a unique range of teas, interesting stained glass designs – and beyond these, the most fabulous views out across Kilbrannan Sound.
