Things to do in Stansted when you're grounded

I always knew the time would come when hundreds of people would need my 'Stansted and surrounding area' restaurant reviews. And here it is: flights are still grounded across London because a volcano erupted in Iceland.

If you're stuck in the Stansted area with some time to spare and a rumbling stomach, try out some of these places I've written about in the past, all within easy reach of the airport by train, bus or cab.

Kim's Coffee House in Saffron Walden has a fantastic selection of tea and some great lunchtime snacks.

The Lemon Tree in Bishop's Stortford - a classy yet comfy restaurant with a traditional menu of well-cooked locally sourced delights.

The Cricketers in Clavering is a gastropub famous for giving birth to Jamie Oliver, or something.

Sandyford is a local vineyard, in Great Sampford where you'll always get a friendly welcome, a glass of good wine and some pretty views of the countryside.

Audley End House - an English Heritage stately home with lovely grounds and a good cafe. I can't promise apple-based food at this time of year, though.

Finally, there's a fantastic place called the Farmhouse Delicatessen in Stansted Mountfitchet. I've written about it many times but I can't find a post in which it's the nub and gist. It started solely as a deli, then added a few tables for lunchtime dining. It's now a fully-fledged cafe with a deli counter, and serves evening meals on Fridays and Saturdays (I think). The service is friendly and I'm never disappointed by the freshly-prepared local food.

Hope the skies clear soon ...

Take it away now

My house is very close to the train station. It takes me about five minutes to walk/run there in the morning (downhill all the way) and about seven minutes to get home (uphill struggle). On that short journey I pass three Indian restaurants, two Chinese restaurants, a delicatessen, a cafe, two convenience shops, a restaurant, two pubs and a fish and chip shop.

Imagine my delight and relief, therefore, to find out that a new Indian takeaway has opened at the station!

This one, however, is an Indian takeaway and coffee house, which does mean that one can buy a hot drink and snack at the station when the train is delayed. Theoretically it also means one can phone ahead an order to be collected on the way home, although this means I must remember to put a menu in my bag! I've picked up a menu: it looks fairly standard, with one or two things I fancy trying.

It was freezing cold on Saturday and I couldn't summon up the energy to go out for food, so I decided to order a takeaway. What better opportunity to try out the new place? Oh - except they don't deliver on Friday or Saturday! Well, what's the point of that? Everyone knows Friday night is curry night, except those people who know that Saturday night is curry night! And I was extra-frustrated by the fact that they'd put a leaflet through my door at about 3pm on Saturday afternoon. Ok, it's just down the road but it was cold out, and that's the point! I can't help but think it was a missed opportunity, new boys.