Beaudevin

By far the most gourmet nice little place I've ever seen in an airport. I was like Scottish salmon?! Sign. Me. Up. Of course I had a lot of time between flights so I was messing around with the little kit, but it was great! It came with two mini bagels, smoked salmon, capers, cream cheese, arugula, feta cheese, tomatoes, onions, and a lemon wedge. I was gettin fancy in that terminal!!!

As airline travel grows less glamorous by the decade, finally there's hope.  

After arriving in ORD, I had a few hours to kill between flights.  With so much time on my hands, I was doing my "airport zombie walk" -- a bored, dazed and mostly aimless lumbering through an airport terminal in the general direction of my next flight.  Through my mental fog, I heard ambient piano music playing and reminisced about the heightened shopping experience at nicer department stores.  

Wait!  Piano music...??  In an airport??  I stopped and eyed in disbelief the baby grand player piano.  The modern-designed wine bar has the look of a European-styled spot with a granite-topped bar, chandeliers made of wine glasses and Scandinavian-inspired wood fixtures. There was only one stool left, vacated as I walked up.  I was about to realize I wasn't the only person in need.  This wine bar offers more than 20 wines by the glass, bottle or flights to be paired with small plates like olives or figs, or various tartines like the roasted herb chicken, turkey berry with goat cheese or a Scottish smoked salmon.  The Nickel & Nickel Suscol Ranch Merlot 2009 was a comforting find at a reasonable per-glass price, as were the assorted cheese and cold cuts even though they were plated ahead of time.  

The bar staff were attentive but not meddling.  Being an open bar in a busy airport terminal, I curiously surveyed the other guests.  I observed a few stopped in for a beer or glass of wine before heading back on their way, while others (such as myself) stayed to engage others in conversation.  Ages ranged from a 20 year-old radio technician visiting his family on leave from the Army to a late 50's-ish gentleman who talked extensively about the 2008 vintage of the Nickel & Nickel Merlot, and everything in between.  

This airport zombie was enlivened and renewed, and I pressed on to my connecting flight happier than ever.  I highly recommend Beaudevin in Terminal 1, Concourse C near Gate 17.

Absolutely amazing!   Best service.  Nancy is awesome.  So nice to have a bartender remember name and what you drink!  In an Airport even!  I take an extra long layover to stop and have one of her fabulous Bloody  Mary's.      
Actually- If I come into the F gates I take the bus to C concourse have something delicious then usually walk back to B concourse--- they are that good!   And remember at ORD you can get it 'to go'.  You just have to finish it before you board

You rock Nancy!!
KristiB