Harvest Thyme

Harvest Thyme
Dean St
Abury

Date visited: 2010-06-26 - Brunch

It's... nice, I guess.

Maybe I'm getting harsh in my old age, but I was rather underwhelmed by this place. I ordered (at the counter - there's no table service, but I couned three wait staff plus two chefs and there were only 8 tables full at the busiest point) and had one of the breakfast specials. Eggs Florentine for $12.00, plus a coffee for $3.50. Paid up front, too, which is unusual in such cafes.

The coffee is New World branded, and is a nice enough blend but it was only mildly warm when it arrived - the milk hadn't been steamed sufficiently. I did have a second cup which was hotter, so this could have been a one off.

The Eggs Florentine was... interesting. The eggs were poached properly (in an open pot, not a mould) and I'd give them full credit of this, except they may have used a touch too much vinegar in the water. The certainly did use too much in the spinach, which caused an interesting taste reaction to the hollandaise sauce.

When served, the waiter offered me cracked pepper, which I accepted. So he brought out the huge pepper grinder and.... handed it to me to put it on myself. Clearly, we're not in Lygon St anymore, Toto!

It's worth noting that this establishment does advertise gluten free cooking, so perhaps if any of my coeliac friends were visiting I might give them another try. But, if not, I doubt I'll be back.

So, the food is reasonably OK, the service less so but far from rude. But, all in all the Locust wasn't as impressed as he would have liked. 3 stars, no more.