It's About Thyme - Fine Dining

With this post to my blog site, I am way out of sequence as regards our October road trip.  I last left you in western Kentucky, headed east.  From there it was onto southern Ohio, a taste of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, a museum in southern New York and finally, down into Virginia.

But, as the fall season comes to a close, I thought that it would be appropriate to write about this restaurant before the winter settles in and while road trippers are still out and about.  Destination, Culpeper Virginia!  

I'll start by stating that this was one of the best dining experiences that Laurie and I have had in recent years.

This is the entrance to It's About Thyme, a cafe/restaurant in the center of Culpeper Virginia.  I hadn't researched dining opportunities in Culpeper but we stopped here for lunch just on a whim... 

Of course, the fact that It's About Thyme was quite busy might have factored into our decision.  Sorry about my bald head in the second photo...but its the best shot of my naked noggin I've ever seen and it gives you a nice view of the restaurant's decor.

One more view of It's About Thyme's dining area.  It is a warm and welcoming environment.

I don't usually post photos of a restaurant's menu.  But a quick perusal of the menu and the offerings available to diners at It's About Thyme, bolsters my stance that the restaurant is not just average, nor a bit above the rest.  Fine dining indeed, and at reasonable prices too!  In addition to Lobster Salad and Wild Mushroom Ravioli on the Lunch Specials menu, items on the main menu such as the Pork Roast, the Palazzo Pot Roast and the Pepper Steak take the restaurant to a higher level.  

As someone who watches their expenses and tracks them, the fact that diners don't have to break the bank to experience the quality at It's About Thyme, is truly a positive factor.  Even better, note that 3 of the main course options allow for smaller portions...an excellent idea indeed!  

Our server started us out with this focaccia bread and it was beyond excellent.  Both the texture of the bread and its impact on our taste buds were over the top.  We finished it off in no time...and our server brought more too!  

It was explained to us that the locals initially complained that the focaccia bread that It's About Thyme was serving was 'stale'.  Actually, the original version had a normal crust and it was firmer as per the usual version of focaccia.  So more olive oil was added, the rising process was changed and this softer and flavorful focaccia was the result.  John, the owner, told us that he bakes 4 - 6 large pans of this bread every day.

Laurie has been eating healthier plus a lot less than she used to... Also she never gets to have mushrooms at home as yours truly won't eat them.  So, when she saw Portobello Mushrooms on the menu, her luncheon decision was instantaneous.  The mushrooms were sauteed with some amazing tomatoes, red wine and butter.  These warm ingredients were served over field greens...all stacked on top of more of that amazing focaccia bread. ($16.95) Laurie was in heaven!  Her lunch was 'only' excellent... I tried one of her tomatoes...amazingly tasty!

For my midday repast, I chose the Open Face Ham Sandwich. ($18.50) In this case the focaccia was topped with ham, Swiss cheese, tomato and bacon, then warmed in the oven and topped with bechamel sauce.  As you can see, it was served with a side house salad.

I was torn between the house salad and the open face ham sandwich as to which I liked best!  Both were excellent... I don't know what made the tomatoes so flavorful but they were over the top.  I think that both of our lunches are proof that excellent food doesn't have to be too fancy.  Quality ingredients combined creatively to maximize texture and taste, then presented in an appealing way...those are the keys to It's About Thyme's popularity.  

We passed on dessert after our wonderful luncheon and all of that focaccia bread.  However, like all of our food, the presentation of two of the available dessert options was very appealing.  Other options were available...as per that not on the tray.  Overall service was very professional.

This is John Yarnall.  He is the owner and founder of the restaurant.  In 1995 he moved his It's About Thyme French restaurant from Philadelphia to Culpeper.  At the same time, he broadened the menu to include a wider selection of European cuisine.  John chatted with us for a few moments between greeting customers and visiting other tables.  We learned that as much as possible he raises his own vegetables for the restaurant.  This includes a indoor hydroponic garden which gives him a head start on spring planting. 

The business has expanded significantly since it opened.  Two of John's daughters and a daughter-in-law are now part of the business.  The Thyme Market next door to the restaurant offers a European style take-out market.  Adjacent to the Thyme Market, The Copper Fish seafood market offers fresh seafood and it also  features a raw bar.  Beyond the food options, the Yarnall family also offers 7 guest suites for travelers above the markets.

It's About Thyme is located at 128 East Davis Street in Culpeper Virginia.  Phone: 540-825-4264.  Website: https://www.thymeinfo.com/home. 

My next post will get us back on track as we headed through Kentucky and the next stop on our October road trip.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave