Earlier today I wrote about Barney’s Beanery, the new Priority Pass restaurant in Terminal 2 at LAX. Last night, I had a chance to try it after landing from New York. I’ll sum up my experience in one word: disappointment.
I flew in economy class from Newark to LA last night. If I had unlimited upgrade instruments or resources, I would have upgraded, but I don’t mind economy on westbound flights because it keeps me productive. Indeed, I worked for the entire 5.5 hour flight last night instead of sleeping. United also serves complimentary meals to EconomyPlus passengers. The butternut squash ravioli with fruit and a brownie was excellent. But also small. I was hungry again when we reached LAX.
First off, the TSA is pretty lose in letting people past security. I used my United boarding pass and had no trouble entering Terminal 2. Since there is no airside transfer from T7 to T2, I walked through the parking structures, a walk of approximately 10 minutes.
The restaurant is just past the security checkpoint. I arrived at 10:15 pm. At first I thought there was a line to enter the restaurant, but it was just a Delta flight to JFK boarding. The position of the boarding gate directly adjacent to the restaurant does not provide a quiet dining environment.
I noticed that there was no one sitting in the restaurant area: only the bar was occupied. After waiting for a couple minutes, a hostess appeared. Suspecting that I may have missed the cutoff, I asked her about having dinner.
The problem was not that I was too late: the problem was that the evening chef did not show up! She admitted that there had been no food service all evening.
After reviewing the menu, I had my heart set on Mexican food. Too bad…I had to stop on my way home for something.
The hostess suggested that I have a couple drinks at the bar with my $28 in Priority Pass credit, but I figured that was not a smart idea considering my car was parked nearby and I’d be driving home…
I asked if this happens often. I was told, “Well, not often…but it happens.” And when does food service usually end? “Usually around 10:30p, sometimes 10pm.” That’s fairly vague.
CONCLUSION
I’m not sure whether I’ll arrive early next time I fly out of LAX just to try the restaurant, but it will be a good option for Delta flyers…provided the chef is there. Too bad I have nothing positive to report from last night.
@ Matthew — If this establishment had a history of refusing service to Jewish people would you eat there?
@Gene: I think the restaurant’s checkered past in West Hollywood is deplorable. There is no defense. But I believe in forgiveness and redemption. If they treat customers with dignity now, I don’t have a problem based upon the sins of the past.
@ Matthew — If this establishment had a history of refusing service to race-baiting people would you eat there?
Yes.
I’d eat there if the food was good, and I would return whenever possible. I could care less about their history or that of the owners – unless the history was “Damn their food has sucked for quite while…”
Why is it you care, if someone else enjoys eating at a place YOU decide that people shouldn’t patronize because the owners have a different world view and it hurt your feelings? Grow up.
You were able to enter T2 with only an inbound boarding pass, no boarding pass showing a flight OUT of LAX?!?
Hi Matthew,
You used a EWR-LAX BP to get into T2? Never tried an already flown BP before.
I would also like to know. Usually the wrong airports pass wont scan….. Otherwise, the agent was not doing his/her job properly.
I had an onward boarding passt that I used. Did not use EWR-LAX.
great to meet you in NY FTU! very interested in that last point as well that you were able to enter terminal w/ an inbound bp. if this is a consistent policy, then it opens up a whole new world of PP restaurants (ie: the JFK T-7 that Stefan is so fond of) on arrival airports.
You didn’t review the restaurant. Post again when you have actually eaten there!
I frequent the one in Pasadena and can say that the food is not great, but the Mexican you had your eyes on would have really hit the spot.
The chef not showing up can happen to any restaurant. I thought this was going to be an actual review.
Two very tired senior, non-frequent flyers with no LAX experience and with very limited dining options open upon arrival for connection. Two burgers with fries and a ginger ale = $86.62 Canadian. Told waitress to ad 15% for herself, but discovered after the fact she added 18% – to tired to argue. Frankly we thought the food quite average, the service predatory and the prices exploitive. Never, ever again.