Official 2011 airport bar Thread

[turkeyjerky]

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My flight just got delayed, but it's cool--I'm sitting at a chili's drinking spotted cow (kudos if you know the state I'm in).

Some observations from my first interview:
A really loud bar with far apart seating makes for a less than stellar social.

Shouldve gone for better beer at said social, drinking amstels to stay sober just wasn't worth it.

I wish the PD would've asked me some questions during my interview--like any at all, it felt like I was conducting the interview. In fact, I think I actually had to end it by saying "those are really all the questions I have for you." I try to ascribe to the Larry David method of interviewing, guess it just worked to well this time.

I shoulda stayed an extra day and went to the beach. F/ck snow in November.

On the plus side, I really liked this program and have no idea how I'm gonna pick between programs come ROL time.

So who's with me, in spirit at least. Next up, crown royal (cause chili's doesn't stock whisky)

 

[coldweatherblue]

time moves at a different pace in airports. basically the pace at which your liver metabolizes etoh.

there's a pretty sweet sam adams brewhouse at the atlanta airport. i'm sure everyone on the trail will have at least a few layovers there.

spent some time at an applebees in houston.. so much they had to page me overhead or else i'd have missed my flight haha.

my first interview was a flight across the country to an amazing program in a perfect city full of basically the nicest people i've met since starting med school. they are reeling me in; i'm buying the hype lol.

 

[McPoyle]

My flight just got delayed, but it's cool--I'm sitting at a chili's drinking spotted cow (kudos if you know the state I'm in).

Wisconsin eh?

 

[Braves123]

had a few at gladstone seafood in LAX

beware of the bartendering offering side shots-->you'll get a beer and a shot
had about 60 oz of beer and a few whiskey shots here. Also the bartender always ask if you want your drinks doulbed. Prices are a bit high, and food somewhat expensive, but not sure if thats an LA thing

 

[drizzt3117]

La guardia is the worst airport. They don't even have a bar in the secure area, the least thry could do is give me the opportunity to get hammered on overpriced beer. So far, # of girls getting trashed at the interview dinner = 1.

 

[artaxerxes]

for real JFK is quite as well.

 

[Jolie South]

I really liked this wine bar, Vino Volo, at Dulles. Had a delicious rosé with red berry notes.

I also like Houston Hobby for all the Pappas restaurants with their to-go drinks: anything from beers to fancy mixed drinks.

Kansas city airport only had horrible lite variety American beers purchased out of a cooler at the gate.

 

[twofer]

Vino Volo is a chain. They have some nice wine samplers which are a great value. Food sounds good on the menu, but the result is very meh...

 

[Jolie South]

Vino Volo is a chain. They have some nice wine samplers which are a great value. Food sounds good on the menu, but the result is very meh...

I don't know. I had some delicious truffle mac and cheese there. I would definitely go again.

 

[KSDeacon]

I really liked this wine bar, Vino Volo, at Dulles. Had a delicious rosé with red berry notes.

I also like Houston Hobby for all the Pappas restaurants with their to-go drinks: anything from beers to fancy mixed drinks.

Kansas city airport only had horrible lite variety American beers purchased out of a cooler at the gate.

As someone who's lived in KC for most of my life, i can 100% agree with that statement. Our airport BLOWS. Although to be fair, it has improved from where it was 10 years ago. At least there are now bathrooms and some form of food once you get to the gates. Used to be nothing but chairs and the jetway.

 

[drizzt3117]

ATL is pretty sweet, lots of options.

 

[BigRedBeta]

As someone who's lived in KC for most of my life, i can 100% agree with that statement. Our airport BLOWS. Although to be fair, it has improved from where it was 10 years ago. At least there are now bathrooms and some form of food once you get to the gates. Used to be nothing but chairs and the jetway.

KCI definitely suffered in the post-9/11 environment. Prior to that though it was easily the best get-in/get-out airport in the country (if you were willing to fork over enough $$$ for circle parking). Having your baggage claim immediately next to the gate was a blessing. There should be something from Boulevard available everywhere in that airport...if there's not (even at the gate) then it's failed at a level I didn't think possible.


As someone who's now gone through two interview trails (residency and just finished up for fellowship this fall), my biggest advice is to look for bars that are farther away from center of the airport. Like at Chicago Midway, go down the A terminal and avoid the central hub. Will make a huge difference in service, how quickly you get a table, etc...

 

[drizzt3117]

Had a nice local microbrewery in Atl, eyepatch, pretty delish'. Was drinking Belgian all night at the pre-iv dinner, pretty awesome!

 

[drizzt3117]

Best pre-interview dinner restaurants? Discuss.

 

[Jolie South]

Best pre-interview dinner restaurants? Discuss.

I liked USC pre-interview dinner: Maria's Italian Kitchen in downtown LA. We got to order what we wanted instead of eating the typical bar food.

 

[drizzt3117]

I liked USC pre-interview dinner: Maria's Italian Kitchen in downtown LA. We got to order what we wanted instead of eating the typical bar food.

Wash U had a really nice restaurant as their pre-interview dinner, a central west end place called brasserie by niche, pretty delicious. I was quite a fan of Emory's brew pub downtown though, it was def more trendy than other places. The first two places I've been had prix fixe menus.

 

[Jolie South]

Wash U had a really nice restaurant as their pre-interview dinner, a central west end place called brasserie by niche, pretty delicious. I was quite a fan of Emory's brew pub downtown though, it was def more trendy than other places. The first two places I've been had prix fixe menus.

We went to an ok place for Emory, but it was the traditional "eat bar food and drink beer" event.

 

[Xamwell]

Beth Israel in NYC had multiple sushi platters for the interview day lunch. Impressive 🙂

 

[drizzt3117]

Beth Israel in NYC had multiple sushi platters for the interview day lunch. Impressive 🙂

That sounds nice, emory had macaroni grill for lunch 🙂

 

[Jolie South]

That sounds nice, emory had macaroni grill for lunch 🙂

Nicest lunch I've had so far was at USC. We went to the faculty club, where I ordered a lobster poboy and this delicious chocolate velvet dessert.

 

[2012mdc]

Wash U had a really nice restaurant as their pre-interview dinner, a central west end place called brasserie by niche, pretty delicious. I was quite a fan of Emory's brew pub downtown though, it was def more trendy than other places. The first two places I've been had prix fixe menus.

Nice. Emory has the Friday group going to a Thai Sushi bar that looks pretty trendy.

Hopkins took us to an Irish Pub and Restaurant which had good beer and pretty good appetizers. It was also a plus to be able to see MNF.

ATL's airport is legit. A bunch of options everywhere

 

[drizzt3117]

Nice. Emory has the Friday group going to a Thai Sushi bar that looks pretty trendy.

Hopkins took us to an Irish Pub and Restaurant which had good beer and pretty good appetizers. It was also a plus to be able to see MNF.

ATL's airport is legit. A bunch of options everywhere

Oh yeah, the residents were talking about that yesterday haha. Sounds fun! Yeah we watched MNF at TAP, it was cool, the guy from Minnesota was sad though 🙁

 

[MilkmanAl]

Vouch for KC's airport being freaking terrible. I'm actually not sure if they have Boulevard in there, though they certainly should, but they do have an Arthur Bryant's or two.

Good restaurants so far:
KU (in Kansas City): M&S Grill. It's one of the few places in the Midwest with fresh seafood.
Louisville: Porcini's (Italian and of Rick Pitino fame)

 

[drizzt3117]

I was at the same Chili's as the OP yesterday and they didn't have spotted cow! 😡

University of Washington had some awesome lunch today, linguini alfredo with chicken 🙂

 

[turkeyjerky]

At the re vive bar in Philly having a bloody mary-- not too bad. I wonder, is it too early for an old fashioned? (they have maker's)

Hmm, I'm kinda disappointed with the direction his thread has taken--I was hoping for more tipsy rants or stories. But I will say that I've been disappointed with the lunches do far, typically cafeteria food or pizza--guess EDs aren't as flush as derm or surgery departments.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Unfortunately, there's generally not too much exciting about getting buzzed at an airport...unless you're a pilot.

 

[drizzt3117]

At the re vive bar in Philly having a bloody mary-- not too bad. I wonder, is it too early for an old fashioned? (they have maker's)

Hmm, I'm kinda disappointed with the direction his thread has taken--I was hoping for more tipsy rants or stories. But I will say that I've been disappointed with the lunches do far, typically cafeteria food or pizza--guess EDs aren't as flush as derm or surgery departments.

Rads lunches have been nice. Haven't seen anything ridic on the trail yet except this one girl I've seen a couple times who smears gets toasted at the dinners lol

 

[badasshairday]

KC airport is the worst by far. So boring. Crappy food options. Weird gate security. 👎

Phoenix airport is nice.

Wisconsin and Colorado have the best beers, period.

Rads lunches/dinners have been freaking amazing.

 

[2012mdc]

KC airport is the worst by far. So boring. Crappy food options. Weird gate security. 👎

Phoenix airport is nice.

Wisconsin and Colorado have the best beers, period.

Rads lunches/dinners have been freaking amazing.

I think I'll have to get my suits re-tailored at the end of interview season

 

[turkeyjerky]

Unfortunately, there's generally not too much exciting about getting buzzed at an airport...unless you're a pilot.

After my third dogfish head before noon, I'm inclined to both disagree and agree with you.

 

[2012mdc]

At the re vive bar in Philly having a bloody mary-- not too bad. I wonder, is it too early for an old fashioned? (they have maker's)

Hmm, I'm kinda disappointed with the direction his thread has taken--I was hoping for more tipsy rants or stories. But I will say that I've been disappointed with the lunches do far, typically cafeteria food or pizza--guess EDs aren't as flush as derm or surgery departments.

Well get drunk and provide us with a rant/and or story.

 

[drizzt3117]

After my third dogfish head before noon, I'm inclined to both disagree and agree with you.

Damn, good work dude. I have had all direct flights so haven't had the opp to spend as much time as I usually do in airport bars, as a former consultant they used to be my office/parlor 🙂

 

[turkeyjerky]

Damn, good work dude. I have had all direct flights so haven't had the opp to spend as much time as I usually do in airport bars, as a former consultant they used to be my office/parlor 🙂

Note, thats noon local time, id barely be awake by this time were i at home. I'm definately digging this re:vive place. Good bar. Good playlist (half 80, half indie w/ some scattered classic rap), chill crowd. So much better than chili's or houlahans.

You know, there's a certain awesomeness to the airport bar scene. Buncha people,some getting drunk some having a quick drink and sandwich. Most in a rush, some with (what seems like) all he time in the world. getting to know people from a different part of the country with whom you have nothing in common and will never see again. Almost makes all this traveling worth it.

 

[drizzt3117]

Note, thats noon local time, id barely be awake by this time were i at home. I'm definately digging this re:vive place. Good bar. Good playlist (half 80, half indie w/ some scattered classic rap), chill crowd. So much better than chili's or houlahans.

I'm flying to Philly now, might have to check it out tomm on the way out!

You know, there's a certain awesomeness to the airport bar scene. Buncha people,some getting drunk some having a quick drink and sandwich. Most in a rush, some with (what seems like) all he time in the world. getting to know people from a different part of the country with whom you have nothing in common and will never see again. Almost makes all this traveling worth it.

I agree, It's a pretty fun place to meet people, although in the consulting community you certainly do see the same people now/again lol.

 

[username456789]

I'm still waiting for some of you guys to cross paths in an airport bar somewhere.

FWIW I'm in Philly today/tomorrow, but I'm not traveling via plane.

 

[drizzt3117]

At the re vive bar in Philly having a bloody mary-- not too bad. I wonder, is it too early for an old fashioned? (they have maker's)

Hmm, I'm kinda disappointed with the direction his thread has taken--I was hoping for more tipsy rants or stories. But I will say that I've been disappointed with the lunches do far, typically cafeteria food or pizza--guess EDs aren't as flush as derm or surgery departments.

Dude I'm at the same place and it has magic hat #9!

 

[2012mdc]

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/11/the-grub-street-airport-restaurant-guide.html#

Got this from a friend's post on Facebook.

E-mailed the article to myself so that I could refer to it in different airports.

Seems pretty solid except for some of the places they mention aren't in the actual airport and would be too much of a hassle.

Nothing like having a few beers after a successful interview day and relaxing on the flight home

 

[olemissbabydoc]

This may be my favorite thread right now. I'm a bit early, but I'll be airporting before I know it - and the food aspect of this one reeled me in!

Good luck to all you 2012ers!

 

[drizzt3117]

Back on the road again, how are Pitt n Dallas?

 

[turkeyjerky]

In Nashville, celebrating the end if interview season. This bar actually has live music--it's country, but still pretty sweet. Biggest disappointment of this trip: girls in Tenessee ad not nearly as hot as in other parts of the south I've been to.