Thyme, the perennially popular restaurant located at Custume Place in the heart of Athlone, has retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand status for 2021.
Initially awarded to the restaurant in October 2019, the news was positively received by proprietor John Coffey amid the hospitality turbulence which has been a notable feature of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We were obviously hoping to retain our Michelin Bib Gourmand status for the forthcoming year and to have confirmation of this realisation is a welcome boost for the restaurant and our staff who have had to endure a turbulent year within the hospitality industry,” John remarked.
With business doors closed for the foreseeable future, John is hoping that the summer season will witness trade recommence and Thyme welcoming guests to the ambient eaterie.
“It has been a particularly difficult ten months to date for the hospitality industry and hopefully should Covid-19 case numbers fall accordingly, we will be in a position to reopen our business in the summer season. The aspiration is to remain open once business finally recommences,” John commented.
Thyme opened for a brief period prior to Christmas but with Covid-19 case numbers being so prevalent there was not the same atmospheric festive feel which would be in abundance in previous years.
“While we did open for that three week period prior to Christmas there was not the same atmosphere in the restaurant as we were aware that further hospitality restrictions were imminent,” John stated.
Looking towards the future and the hope that vaccine rollout will be on the increase from mid to late Spring. John and his dedicated team at Thyme look forward to busy season of summer trade.
“I am of the belief that the hospitality sector will be the last to reopen for business, but we look forward to that date with relish,” John concluded.
