The posting "Best Restaurant in the World..." got me thinking about airport cuisine. Believe me, I wouldn't have otherwise!

Usually, due to time constraints, I want something fast and reasonably tasty. Sometimes it's possible to find something healthy, too (say a PDX Macheezmo Mouse classic burrito, or a Wendy's baked potato). But occasionally, I get to the airport early, or (more often) there's an unexpected delay, and I have time for a really good meal. Only problem is, of course, I'm at the airport!

There are some fine dining establishments in airports, I'm sure, but I don't know of many. My favorite, by far, is Legal Seafoods in BOS (clam chowder, baked scrod, Sam Adams, followed by Boston cream pie and a cup of joe). But I'm sure there must be others...

------------------

If a Wendy's baked potato is "healthy", then I wanna know what "unhealthy" is!!!

The best airport cuisine I've found is when I've actually found a chain restaurant that has an airport location (e.g., Legal Seafood, Friday's, etc.).

Everything else falls into the "ballpark food" category. Except that the ballpark (unlike the airport) does enough volume to prevent the stuff from getting cold and stale...

Some airports have "real" restaurants with good food - as good as any down town restaurant - and where, believe it or not, people who are not at the airport actually come to the restaurant.

Best airport restaurant ever.......the old Newarker Restaurant at the old Newark Airport. Does anyone remember it?

------------------
speedbird001

The "Encounter" restaurant on top of the Theme Building at LAX is a good place to eat. I eat there nearly every time I'm flying a red-eye back to NY. It has received favorable reviews in several newspapers and magazines, also. Not cheap, certainly, but better than airplane food by a mile!

Washington National's new terminal has a couple of decent places, including a Legal Sea Foods and a California Pizza Kitchen. Unfortunately, I almost never get to use them, because the frequency of flights to NY is so great that I never have a long enough wait.

Bruce

I think some people favorably compared the old Newarker Airport Restaurant among the best in the Northern NJ/NY area. I have never eaten there, but I remember it. It overlooked the main lobby area.

DD

I second "Encounters" at LAX. It is a great place to watch the activity at the airport, and the food is excellent (though a little pricy). They just redid the interior into a retro-'60s look. If you have the time when you're at LAX, it's my recommendation out of all the airports I've been to.

Encounters at LAX sounds cool, how do you find it? as I will be passing through LAX in Feb. Rgds Paul

I'm partial to Friday's at ATL. Though I feel a bit sheepish when taking advantage of the first-come first served section at the bar. I walk right in and sit down amid the angry and uncomprehending stares of those waiting for an hour or more for a table in the normal dining room.

[This message has been edited by SRQ Guy (edited 11-14-2000).]

Encounter is on the top of the strange "Theme Building" at LAX, the spider-like structure that sits between the two rows of terminals, amid the parking lots. You need to walk to the East end of the building, where you will find two elevators that take you to the top. On the ride, you get to listen to futuristic music!

The restaurant actually gets crowded at times. Once when I showed up with two of my kids, we had to wait a while for a table. They take reservations, however, if you know that you will be there.

Dinner runds at least $40-50 per person, without alcohol. The food really is good, if a bit pricey.

Bruce

London - the old Aubergine (but no more...)

Sydney - Tetsuya

There is a Friday's in PHL too, its not bad for an airport restaurant. There is a decent restaurant in the PHL airport Marriott, its not actually in a terminal but is connected to the airport by brick and steel.

Jay

Agree that ENCOUNTER at LAX gives you everything an great airport restaurant should...great food, service and view of "the action." All with a flare of Jetson-ian fun.

by a mile, it's the barbecue at dfw - in a couple of different locations in various aa terminals - anyone remember the name? this is great regional food - stuff that's hard to get (ie real bbq smoked over wood, as opposed to gas-cooked garbage) outside of the south

also, check out the new "figs" in lga - haven't been yet but it comes from one of the best chefs in boston (todd english of olives/figs fame - other olives are now in dc, vegas, and soon, nyc)

Austin is my favorite for food -- Matt's El Rancho or Salt Lick BBQ followed by Amy's Ice Cream -- some of the best ice cream in the world.