Halo is a coffee house-tea room in Poulton and a frequent haunt of mine for lunch or afternoon tea and cake. Situated above Gabriel’s House on Ball Street, opposite St Chad’s church, it’s conveniently located in the town centre and guarantees great quality homemade food at every visit.
Gabriel’s House sells darling gifts and items for the home – a treasure trove of Sia products, chic interior gems plus unique jewellery and scarves. If you’re in need of a gift for a woman, you’ll find it here, along with a little something for yourself I often find. You have to go through the shop and up the stairs at the back to reach Halo, so the chances of a purchase are high!
The café is petite and snug with a handful of tables in a room decorated very much in the vein of the shop below – quaint and inviting. It’s nearly always busy (testament to the popularity of the establishment) so I find the best chance of getting a table is mid-afternoon, which just happens to be perfect for tea and cake.
The menu is varied and reasonably priced. Choose from a long list of hot and cold drinks, including a good range of teas – I always opt for my favourite Assam brew. Food-wise breakfast, brunch and lunch are catered for with hot and cold sandwiches, toasties and salads, all served with salad and coleslaw; jacket potatoes with infinite fillings and tasty soup; plus favourites such as toasted rarebit and Halo club sandwich.
The specials board always delights with tasty dishes like potato cakes with smoked salmon and cream cheese and cauliflower mornay with crispy bacon.
When it comes to cake, there’s always a hot pudding and a selection of slices and scones. The egg custard is perfect and a personal favourite.
Halo is the perfect venue for a lunch break, shopping stop off or catch up with friends whether you’re dashing or have time on your hands. It feels a little like being in your mum’s kitchen; familiar and comforting with food served up as it comes out of the oven. Expect to pay around £7 for a sandwich and tea. There are a number of public car parks nearby (paid) and a bus stop almost opposite.
Good luck resisting the urge to buy something you don’t need but desperately must have from Gabriel’s House on the way out!