I’d not flown from Stanstead for a long time and therefore hadn’t experienced the winding ‘yellow brick road’ taking you past numerous duty free outlets and shops before finally arriving at the cafés and restaurants. There was the usual plethora – Starbucks, Pret, Wetherspoons etc. But (a) it was very early in the morning, and (b) I was on my own and wanted a treat. Most also involved queuing up and then managing a wheelie bag, handbag and tray containing a Styrofoam cup of coffee and chilled sandwich whilst trying to find somewhere to sit.
I then saw “Halo Fizz Bar”:http://www.stanstedairport.com/at-the-airport/restaurants/halo/ in the middle of the concourse with its sit up bar. Having got perched, I noticed an offer of a bacon or sausage sandwich and coffee for £5.25. I checked whether the bacon was crisp and was told by a friendly girl behind the bar that it could be if that’s how I’d like it. With a cheeky glass of early morning prosecco my bill came to £12.95.
The coffee was good and strong and the hot milk served in a separate jug. The bacon sandwich, in my choice of white toasted bread, was excellent with little fat on the bacon and the brown sauce was served in a small dish – no irritating plastic sachets here.
I lingered over my fizz, with the screen in view and had a wonderfully relaxing start to my trip.
People sat on either side of me were having scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and avocado on toast. There are other options on the “menu”:http://mag-umbraco-media-live.s3.amazonaws.com/1013/7359-halo-food-menu-breakfast-mains-v2-lowres-0316.pdf more suited to later in the day. One chap was either being terribly decadent in having a whole bottle of champagne to himself or he was trying to calm pre-flight nerves.
The website describes the bar as: ‘As an island of calm amidst the busy terminal. Its luxurious design oozes glamour; from the stunning turquoise bar and soft leather upholstery to its glistening glasses, shiny ice buckets and rows of champagne that sparkle at you from under the large golden halo that frames the bar.’ It’s a spot on description and I’d definitely recommend it.
