The Resident
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Local restaurants look to branch out as city airport expands concessions
By Stephen Baxter
Hoping to bring some San Jose flavor to travelers, several local restaurants have been included in concessions proposals at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
As part of the airport's three-year, $1.5 billion overhaul, airport officials released a request for proposals in fall 2007 for new restaurants throughout the airport. Six firms submitted proposals by the Jan. 24 deadline, and several local restaurants were included. A proposal from Areas USA SJC LLC included Paolo's Restaurant, Willow Street Pizza, LeBoulanger and an incarnation of the seafood restaurant Lou's Village.
Willow Street Pizza started in Willow Glen, and LeBoulanger is based in Sunnyvale.
After about 60 years in business, Lou's Village at 1465 W. San Carlos St. closed. For co-owner Tom Muller, opening a scaled-down eatery called Lou's Village Crab Shack would be a good way to revive its taste.
"We have a lot of signature items on the menu that we feel would be good for the traveler: Manahattan and Boston clam chowder, crab louie, shrimp cocktail and a limited breakfast menu," Muller said. "If we get it, our customers will have to take a trip to get to Lou's Village, but that's OK."
Airport officials are expected to make recommendations in March to the airport director, who will choose a proposal for the San Jose City Council to consider in April.
David Vossbrink, spokesman for the airport, said airport officials are looking for a range of food and beverage services, a strong customer service record, adequate revenue for the airport and a mix of national eateries and regional restaurants that represent San Jose's character.
"Our goal is to have people land in San Jose and know that they're in San Jose and Silicon Valley," Vossbrink said. Federal Aviation Administration rules prohibit quotas for local restaurants, but Vossbrink said many airport officials in other cities have been embracing regional food establishments.
In addition to the Areas proposal, San Jose airport officials received plans from Creative Host Services Inc., Host International Inc., Pacific Gateway Concessions LLC, Westfield Concession Management LLC and AMS-SJC JV. Vossbrink said that city procurement rules forbid airport officials from naming each restaurant involved in each proposal, but others have said that Original Joe's and other local restaurants are involved.
Paolo's has been serving Italian food in the Santa Clara Valley for 50 years, and it has stood at 333. W. San Carlos St. for 17 years.
Its owner, Carolyn Allen-Samavarchian, said she would like to open an upscale wine bar at the airport that would serve Italian panini (sandwiches) and other items.
