Empire Building

LAX Reveals Local Restaurant Bids for Makeover

“Sideshow” Nancy Silverton pitched Spuntino Italian snack bar Photo: Hadley Tomicki

L.A.X. is scrapping its corporate food concessions to bring in independent restaurants and vendors that are synonymous with the city’s culture, benefiting both local businesses and our palates. Today, the L.A. Times reveals which area eateries are in the running. Among the bids are those from LA Mill with Michael Mina, M Cafe de Chaya, Geisha House, Border Grill, Bertha’s Soul Food, Park’s BBQ, 25 Degrees, Ground Works Coffee, Nick and Stef’s, Serenata de Garibaldi, Homeboy Industries, and Market Cafe. Bertha’s owner Rich White sums up our excitement when saying,”To take oxtails, take greens, take macaroni and cheese on the plane with you, it’s historic.” But which proposal makes us most eager to see as a reality?

Nancy Silverton’s new Italian concept. The grand dame of baked bread has pitched plans for Spuntino, a snack bar with cured meats, pressed sandwiches, and focaccia that sounds like a Mozza2Go-inspired dream come true in Terminal 7. We’d likely never complain again about overpaying for an airport sandwich if it came between two slices of Silverton. In fact, we’d probably book a trip somewhere just to try it. We’ll let you know which restaurants advance past the pitch stage as soon as we know, and in the meantime, we find these prospects thrilling, even if Panda Express and Burger King are also up for consideration.

LAX hopes to give taste buds quite a ride [L.A. Times]

LAX Reveals Local Restaurant Bids for Makeover