Cote D'Azur

Apologies for not writing sooner, but I've only just managed to dig a laptop out from the dust after having a little building work done. It's not the one with the photos though, so you'll have to wait a little longer for me to add those! (Since added!)

Why is it that French airport shops are generally much more attractive than English ones? Is it because even if you buy a children's book from the newsagents there, they wrap it as a present and take time to do it beautifully, despite the queue building up? Or is it simply that the produce looks so much more appetising? Rather than selling everyday chocolate and giant bags of sweets, they sell a range of delicious French cheese, magnums of French champagne, foie gras, saucisson...the list could continue, but those are just a few of my favourites.

The restaurant food is a self-service affair but not as we know it in England. Admittedly, there isn't a choice as at Stansted - see my post about the simple and delicious food at the airport, but the food all looks quite appetizing; the best thing being that you can buy wine in a carafe from a tap! How good is that?! Red, White or Rose from a machine that in England, only dispenses soft drinks -wonder if we could get one installed in the staffroom at school?! No Tartiflette on the menu unfortunately, so we both ordered pizza -not frozen from a packet, but made there in front of you with fresh dough and toppings of your choice, and cooked in a feu-de-bois (wood burning oven). Just a reminder, this is a self-service restaurant in the airport! Usually these are delicious, but unfortunately this once, the girl left it in a little too long and the base was certainly crispy in parts, if not burnt and black. Oh well, the carafe of wine made up for it at just 4 euros!

Good food at Stansted?

Having been on a few days away, I was surprised at how quick and easy the journey was. We left an hour and a half to get through check-in and security at Stansted, but when we arrived, there were no queues at check-in, a short wait at security and we were through in the lounges with nothing to do.

Nothing, that is, until I spotted the Caviar House and Prunier bar/restaurant and remembered how delicious it was last time I sat with girls and had a quick bite before heading off to sunnier climes! So, little more than a suggestion was needed to the boyfriend before we were sitting on the high stools and looking mouth-wateringly at the display of fresh fish, salmon and caviar in the fridges. All the food looked amazing and I quickly chose a simple plate of Scottish Smoked Salmon. My boyfriend was a little more adventurous and went for the Salmon Tartare spiced with chilli.

I think the thing I enjoyed most about the meal, apart from actually eating it of course, was watching the man prepare it. The company obviously has a 'set' way of presenting each dish, but it was deftly done with as little handling of the ingredients as possible. The salad and dressing was tossed in a bowl and the salmon and other fish arranged beautifully. The salmon itself tasted fresh and clean and was served with 5 brown bread triangles, a side of crunchy crispy salad and a slice of lemon, all wrapped in a little piece of muslin so that when you squeezed it, none of the pips went over your dinner - brilliant!

The boyfriend's dinner was also scrummy the salmon was made at the company, rather than bough in, and was served out of it's tin! The presentation was fab. with the salad begin packed into the base of the tin and the salmon being served almost on the side. It was very unusual having the salmon packed in a tin that way, but obviously kept it very fresh. Just a hint of chilli came through, but enough to add a little spice. I could have eaten his as well as mine!

Although the restaurant is a chain, and mainly an airport based chain at that, and despite the fact you know you get exactly what you're getting, the menu's do change regularly. You do, however, know exactly what you're getting, even if it is simple and formulaic. I've eaten there twice and it hasn't disappointed on either occasion. There's a good selection of wine and the Chilean White we had was also perfect with the salmon.

I can't wait now for another opportunity to leave the country and sneak in a simple but sophisticated lunch!