On the far end of Terminal 4 where the Southwest flights depart from the C gates, there exists one final dining opportunity, at least one that doesn't require you to stand and eat with one hand and down a beer with the other. As if you are strolling on the Champs-Élysées in April, it's a small but bustling French brasserie that serves standard dishes like crepes, baguette sandwiches, and onion soup gratinee, as well as higher end plates such as steak frites, mussels mariniere, and pâté. I have to admit I don't come to Phoenix thinking I want a French classic meal. Chili maybe, burritos sure, escargots?...jamais!
I was trying to eat smartly before my flight home and ordered the $16.50 Shaved Grilled Chicken Salad, which was quite s pile of gem lettuce and torn basil almost completely covered by focaccia crisps and Parmesan shavings with bits of chicken barely visible underneath, and all of it somewhat overwhelmed by the Parmesan vinaigrette (photo: http://bit.ly/2EW3gGG). It was marginally disappointing, so it was a good thing my colleague shared a $9.50 order of the House Frites, which were plentiful and crispy with a smoked paprika aioli and house ketchup for dipping (photo: http://bit.ly/2BoCOWu). Even on an expense account, I still felt it was pricey for airport dining.
FOOD - 3 stars...just a bit much for a pre-flight meal
AMBIANCE - 3 stars...it's the airport...duh
SERVICE - 3.5 stars...pretty fast because they have to be
TOTAL - 3 stars...if you really need fine French dining at the airport after security