The Mystery Muncher

The Drift Inn in Lamlash is so well known to folk on Arran that it scarcely needs a write-up here. Still, it was our destination of choice for a family reunion recently and it worth seeing how a favourite pub copes in the midst of the summer season. Of course it was busy and of course we had to wait for a table, despite having arrived early. And yet, the welcome was really friendly, with reassurance that the wait would be brief, which it was. We felt happy to wait, ensconced in one of the sofa corners, each with a favourite drink.

Since this was a reunion, tales of mountain, jungle and high seas were being told and it was a long while before we got our act together enough to put an order together. Yet we were treated with infinite patience, and made to feel as though this was our evening, to be spent as we chose, with the staff ready to make this work for us. Rather than the feeling you get in different settings that you, the customer, are there to make life go well for the waiter.

Finally almost everyone went for fresh sardines as starter; each plate holding a nice plump pair of tasty – if bony, but that’s sardines for you – fishes, accompanied by a tomato and caper salad which really nailed the right level of piquancy. The baked Arran Brie was sweet and molten, with a tomato salsa, and demonstrated well the Drift’s policy of using local produce whenever possible.