It's been almost two months since I last visited the Bay Tree coffee-house in Holywood, County Down so, arriving there at about ten to eleven, four of us managed to get a table in the original section. They have extended the place out to where there was a pottery shop.
I didn't recognize anybody except one regular, who just happens to be a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
It was buzzing as usual. The Bay Tree has changed quite a lot, not just in its layout, within the last few years: its tables, chairs, décor, kitchen, crockery; even its miniature green, paper serviettes have changed (they're white now)! The chairs feel as if they weigh a ton: nobody will steal them!
Personally I preferred the Bay Tree as it was about ten years ago; its original layout was fine. To my mind it didn't require much modernization at all. It had a cottagey feel to it with its old-fashioned chairs and chequered table-cloths which was preferable.
That said, I'm still fond of the Bay Tree and prefer it to all the others in the town. It's still very good for breakfast and lunch; I haven't eaten dinner there yet, but I'm sure it's of a high standard too. The food is home-made, wholesome and fresh. They try hard and this is reflected by their loyal clientèle.
We ordered our usual "coffee and a cinnamon", their signature cinnamon scones, the recipe of which remains a closely-guarded secret. They're hard enough to describe because they're unlike conventional scones: doughy, warm, sweet, circular, melted butter, sultanas. I often wonder where Sue discovered the recipe. You're missing out if you haven't tried them yet!
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