Perfect Your Preflight Routine With These Food and Drink Options At Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
Presented by
Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you’re that pro flier who likes to arrive at the airport an hour before the flight, there’s finally a good reason to show up even earlier. Start your trip the right way with the new Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), where The Infatuation has helped curate select food and drink options for any type of traveler. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to NYC or a seasoned local, there's a calm space for you to enjoy before your flight.
Start at the self-serve counter in the lounge, where chefs from NYC’s Happy Cooking Hospitality have curated select dishes inspired by the menu of sister restaurant Joseph Leonard. If you’re already on vacation mode, take advantage of made-to-order options from the comfort of your seat, available by digital ordering and delivered. A drink pairing is the next move, because we all want to feel fancy at the airport (even if we’re in sweats and sandals). Parcelle has curated the wine list and Apotheke has created local NYC-inspired cocktails, plus the new Sapphire Signature cocktail.
Let’s face it, sometimes even that’s not enough to make flying less daunting. We’ve got you covered—Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can book one of The Reserve Suites in the Sapphire Lounge at LGA, a private suite with premium amenities and features for a fee. Settle in with an exclusive menu from Jeffrey’s Grocery, such as the “Fresser” Platter or a customizable Heirloom Grain Salad, along with more upscale Parcelle wine selections, and you just might be tempted to miss your flight (don't worry, the dedicated host will keep you on schedule).
So whether you’re a local or booking your next trip, check out the guide below for more about the places repping NYC on the big (sky) stage and treat yourself to some R&R before the flight.
Joseph Leonard looks like a tastefully furnished studio apartment that's 50% bar. Every inch of space serves a purpose, including the upper level bar seats, perfectly engineered for surveying the action while you eat. The menu is American with both French and Southern touches, and while we prefer the dinner selections to the brunch ones, it's a nice place to dine any time of day. The petit steak is a good choice, and the cauliflowers with tahini and harissa are a hit as well. For a lighter option, check out the egg sandwich served during the day.
photo credit: Emily Schindler
Even though we have to cover a lot of ground, there are a few spots we return to often because they are perfect for so many things. Jeffrey’s Grocery is the ideal example of that. When Jeffrey’s Grocery first opened, it was a kitschy little cafe that also tried peddling groceries. They eventually ditched the faux store-front, upgraded the chef, and made the most out of the space. We love Jeffrey’s because the people are friendly, it’s easy to get in, and the food is great—especially the raw bar. It’s our go-to West Village weekday lunch move, and one of the better brunch situations in town. It’s also just a fun place to hang out, and that’s important in our book.
photo credit: Art Gray
The first Apotheke opened in Chinatown in 2008, and that original location is part of the reason why there are speakeasies in every New York City zip code. We’re partial to the one in Nomad, where you enter through an unmarked door on 26th street. The subterranean interior is lit mostly by candlelight, and there are several huge booths along with a central seating area that consists of what is essentially a large, partitioned ottoman surrounded by stools. This is a fun place to drink, especially if you’re looking for something low-key but fancy. The cocktails are elaborate and apothecary-themed, and the soundtrack is pleasantly jazzy.
photo credit: Collin Hughes
If you care about wine and talk about it often, you’ll like hanging out at Parcelle. The vibe is casual and unpretentious. There's no actual bar here, but you'll find green couches, an array of little round tables with corduroy chairs, and a communal table where you can ask potential new friends how the chilled light red from Portugal is. Around 10 wines by the glass are available, and you have access to Parcelle’s full inventory of bottles as well (they’re also a wine retailer.) Although there’s a full food menu, we prefer using this place for pre-dinner drinking.