I am periodically invited by United Airlines to eat at CLASSIFIED, some sort of upscale restaurant at Newark Airport when I am traveling there.
I really don’t get it – when I land I just want to get out of there. There has never been a time where I thought it would be nice to have a pricey sitdown meal at the airport after I emerge from the plane.
The page to reserve a table beckons me… “Tucked away from the crowds at Newark Airport, a secret corridor will lead you to CLASSIFIED — a completely unique dining experience in a trendy, intimate space.”
I pass by lots of “secret corridors” in Newark Airport, and I have no interest in going down one for a “unique dining experience” in this invitation-only 36-seat restaurant.
Airport restaurants are typically expensive as it is, but at CLASSIFIED I could start with a steak tartare appetizer for $24 and one of their signature cocktails, which do not have prices displayed.
I could follow this with a Tomahawk Ribeye for $100 and a side of Broccoli Rabe for another $12. And maybe a Pistachio Cannoli for dessert for $10.
Also, the subject of the email was “Here;s (sic) the secret password – you’re invited to CLASSIFIED” and there was no password in the email – just a link to click to create a reservation with my frequent flyer account number. That disconnect annoyed me.
Maybe this is a thing that people love and I just don’t get it.