The Mystery Muncher at Felicity’s

Felicity at Eden Lodge has been in residence for a year now, much to the relief of folk in Whiting Bay, who feared a bleak future without their pub.

So a group of old friends celebrated a reunion by gathering there recently for a cheerful meal. We looked more for a relaxed atmosphere and easy food than gourmet surprises – oh, and did I mention the drink? And this is just what Felicity’s provides.

From a cheerful greeting – we were early but they not fazed – to a table with a great view of diving gannets, we were excellently looked after. Ok, the range of starters didn’t appeal much – dredged scallops, farmed salmon, soup on a hot night, olives and hummus for just short of £6? – but when we settled for sharing plates of said expensive hummus we were pleasantly surprised to find it tasty, (we would have liked a more generous serving) and accompanied by excellent olives and garlicky flatbread. Old Engine Oil beers were delicious and the selection of gins fashionably impressive.

Fish n’ chips is usually a safe choice on Arran and so it proved, with crunchy batter, hand cut chips and crushed peas. Sea bass was nicely cooked but came with ‘seasonal vegetables’ of baby corn, carrots and green beans, rather boring and surely not seasonal on Arran? Come on Felicity, you have a great seasonal grower in whiting bay. And if not Robin, perhaps ACLI could help out from its new demonstration allotment.

The smoky burger was good and meaty, accompanied by great local smoky cheese, but the so-called chorizo was hard to recognise, being insipid and bland. The high point of our mains came with the tuna nicoise, dirty great big hot steaks – they checked how we wanted it done and it arrived beautifully cooked – and the accompanying green beans, eggs and potatoes were warm, the lettuce cold, an interesting combo. We failed to check if it was line caught, perhaps by now having enjoyed too much of the Old Engine Oil.