Last week I had a three hour connection in Denver, giving me a perfect opportunity to try out the Timberline Steaks & Grille, a Priority Pass restaurant.
I wrote about this restaurant when it was first introduced to the Priority Pass network. A valid card entitles the cardholder and each guest $28 in credit, which can be used for any food or drink item. The credit CANNOT be used for tip. If you have Priority Pass with American Express Platinum, Hilton Aspire, or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you are allowed up to two guests.
I was traveling with my friend John on United, meaning it was necessary to take the train from Termianl B to Terminal C. This took about seven minutes and security re-clearance was not required. As you come up the escalator from the train, the restaurant is immeidatley on your right.
We did not have to wait for a table: the restaurant was about half full at 8am. The restaurant has nice tarmac views, but a bar rather than tables line the window. We sat next to a fireplace.
A breakfast menu was provided:
We asked about ordering a filet (a favorite breakfast of ours in other airports…) and were told the only option available was steak and eggs. Not that we needed anything: our flight from Los Angeles to Denver on United had included a nice breakfast.
Not all that hungry, I just ordered French Toast with a side of fruit and coffee. John had pancakes.
The food was okay.
As I surveyed the restaurant, I noted that nearly every patron was paying with a Priority Pass card. A group of 20 were seated in the middle of our breakfast that had Priority Pass cards.
Note again that your $28/person credit does not include tip. Do the right thing and tip your waiter or waitress 15-20% of the full bill.
CONCLUSION
While the French Toast and fruit were fine, my egg and kale puff pastry breakfast on my Untied flight to Denver (pictured below) was a far better meal.
It’s worth a stop if you find yourself with a long layover, but never worth scheduling a long layover just to take advantage of it.
I mean, if you didn’t order the Salmon Pizza or the Steak and Eggs, I can’t really help you.
“nearly every patron was paying with a Priority Pass card.”
Priority Pass is 38% of Timberline’s business!
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2018/06/09/how-much-restaurants-get-reimbursed-by-priority-pass-and-whether-its-profitable/
You got just about the simplest thing on the menu, of course the UA meal was better.
Give it a fair shot next time, come hungry and get something interesting like the salmon breakfast pizza. It’s not amazing food, but it’s very good.
That egg and kale puff pastry was the best puff pastry I’ve ever had! And you misspelled United again 😛
I had a chance to try both Timberline and Capers Cafe Le Bar in PDX for lunch last month and posted a combined review of both. I concur that Timberline is average, though certainly far better than the snack towers of sadness and stale pita bread at most Priority Pass lounges. Very good craft beer selection if that’s your thing. I might not go out of my way to arrive early or purposely schedule a long layover to eat there, but it’s nice to be able to grab a decent hot meal and/or a drink before a flight. Capers was better if you find yourself in Portland.
BTW, I swear you have a man-crush on the untied.com guy as much as you talk about flights on “Untied” 🙂
I agree with Lenin1991,
you ordered the simplest, most boring items and then were surprised they were average. That puff thing is good on UA, (I had it a couple weeks ago), but I’ve also had the Smoked Salmon Breakfast Pizza, the South of the Boarder Omelet, and the Eggs Benedict with Shrimp in
Denver. For lunch/dinner I’ve had the Shrimp & Grits, Trout Almondine, Miso Salmon, Pork Chops & Filet Mignon. All were perfectly acceptable, some very good. Nothing spectacular, but certainly worth the visit and worth eating. If I’ve got the choice now between a 1:35 layover or a 3 hour one, I take the longer and grab a meal.
Dem er.
At
What the heck is that extra writing under my post. :-/
Prices are cheaper than I thought — you can actually get a meal for under $28! My expectation was that this would not be possible at a PP restaurant. I am used to higher prices. Just some weeks ago I was traveling at LAX and paid $15 for a take-away breakfast burrito!