Three Excellent French Brasseries Found Inside Airports

June 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM | by JetSetCD | Comments (0)

Cafe Rouge at LHR T4.

What food do you reach for before hopping on a plane? For many, it's hearty (burgers, pizza, pasta), snacky (chips, candy, chocolate) or healthy (sushi, salads, granola), but what about Frenchy? Don't walk through your next airport terminal so quickly, or else you may miss some of the most interesting airport cuisine out there. Yep—we're talking about French Brasseries.

It's rare to find them, but when you do, we recommend stopping in for some Moulet et Frites, frogs legs, or just a simple Caf� au lait. Here's three great French Brasseries found at major airports:

· Cafe Rouge at London-Heathrow Terminal 4
Reminiscent of the classic Orient Express trains, Cafe Rouge at T4 is lengthy but thin, with clean lines and subtle art deco touches. Like a proper brasserie, its position makes it ideal for people watching, a sport made all the more intriguing by the fact that you're still before security. Someone awaiting your arrival could always pop up here for a Croque Monsieur and eavesdropping on tearful farewells. Plus, it's open from 5am clear until 10pm. Honorary mention: Chez Gerard in Heathrow's Terminal 3.

A few promo shots of Le Grand Comptoir

· Le Grand Comptoir at Houston-International Airport, Terminal C North
This brasserie claims the title of most stereotypically French. Somehow, they've crammed a restaurant, jazz club and wine bar all into one, bordered by walls stenciled with appealing French words and images of recognizable Parisian architecture. The menu here changes based on the seasons, but rest assured that French Onion Soup and Steak Frites are a staple, as well as a large selection of Pinot Noir, Bordeaux and—naturally—champagne for wishing bon voyage. Note: it's airside (after security).

La Vie on a regular day

· La Vie at New York-JFK Airport Terminal 5
Salade Ni�oise, Sole Meuni�re and Creme Caramel? Oui x 3! This very cozy eatery is airside, just nearby JetBlue's Gate 22, and has a rather extensive menu for an airport restaurant, but then you really can't go wrong with any of the places in T5. Do note that La Vie is run by former chefs of hotspots Balthazar and Pastis. New Yorkers, you know what that means: must. go.

We caught the chefs of La Vie cooking up oysters at a past Terminal 5 event

[Photo credits in order: Jaunted, SSP, Mordy Steinfeld, Jaunted]

Jaunted

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