Ever thought of Airport as a place to go to chill out and have fun?
My co-worker does. She loves airports and takes full advantage of airports during Holiday travels with her family. They get to the airport way ahead of time and hit the stores, restaurants, and bars.
Recently, I had to spend 5 hours at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport before my flight. My colleague's airport attitude came to mind, and I decided to enjoy the next 5 hours and instead of surviving them.
First I took a ride on the Skylink train between the terminals. It makes a half circle between the terminals and riders can get a good view of the airfield with parked airplanes beneath and watch the planes landings and takeoffs. Pick the window facing inner circles for a better view.
After that, I took a mile long stroll through terminal B to decide where to indulge myself. While walking, I thought of how many times I've been in an airport and had to make a quick call on where to eat and drink. As you know, the major food chains are the features landscape of any US airport, and I try to avoid them if possible, but sometimes there's no time to sift through all options, and I have endured less than mediocre food and wine on more than one occasion.
On this trip, I had all the time in the world to be peaky and find the right restaurant.
Check DFW airport maps to find your location.
Check DFW airport maps to find your location.
As I walked through the airport three places attracted my attention.
One of them is Dallas Cowboys bar with modern, clean design, good drinks selection, decent menu and great looking burgers. It's likely where I would end up if I was with my colleagues on the business trip and had to grab a quick bite. Not this time though.
I craved more sophisticated food and had time to enjoy a glass of good wine. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen attracted my attention with its sign: Straight from the Bayou.
I looked at the menu, saw the magic word "crawfish," started drooling and went in. Of course, I picked the dish that had the most crawfish in it: etouffee and fried crawfish. I also knew that I would need a refreshingly acidic white wine to go along with it.
Pappadeaux's Wine List
Pappadeaux's wine list was a complete surprise. I was sure that I would struggle to pick a wine to go with my meal and I did. For a good reason!
How often do you see the wine list that starts with Vinho Verde from Portugal, continues with Trebianno from Texas, offers Gruner Veltliner from Austria, Pinot Grigio from Italy, Albarino from Spain, Riesling from Mosel and finishes with Chardonnay from California? What are the chances to find it on the airport restaurant menu?
I had to start with Trebianno from Texas of course. After all, I was in Dallas.
I found it a bit too buttery and not acidic enough to cut through the oily food on my plate. I ordered Vinho Verde next, and it delivered just what I expected. The refreshing acidity counterbalanced the crunchy crawfish. Nectarine and white peach complemented well the southern flavor-rich etouffee with dirty rice.
I still had time to enjoy another glass of wine. Vino Volo wine bar was a perfect finish to a travel day. I picked a Summer Picnic flight to keep up with a wineswinging mood of exploring the wonders of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Summer Picnic Tasting Flight
The flight began with 2017 Andre Dezat Sancerre. It delivered what is expected of Sancerre: light body, the nose of green apples, fresh cut grass and white flowers. On the palate, dry light body with pear and green apple sang in tune with aromas.
2015 Agro de Bazan Granbazan, Etiqueta Ambar, Albarino picked the baton from Sancerre. On the nose, it's an intertwined aroma of a banana flower, apple, and mineral notes. On the palate, it picks up with yellow plum, golden apple, white pepper and pleasant almond bitterness.
Domaine de Mourchon Loubié Rosé 2017 completed the trifecta. On the nose, it started with a subtle rose bush note, continued with strawberry and watermelon. The palate is crisp, medium-bodied with strawberry, lingonberry, minerality and a pleasant light bitter note of almonds.
Overall, my favorite was Granbazan Alborino for its floral aromas and flavor complexity.
Next time you're in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport you know where to go if you're in a mood for seafood or good wine. Go wineswinging in both places if time allows. Pressed for time? Visit Pappadeaux if you're starving because the food is flavorful, portions are generous, and the wine list may satisfy anyone. Go to Vino Volo if you pressed for time because they always have an impressive wine to try and light snacks and sandwiches to go along with it.