My two favorite places growing up were the airport and staying at a hotel. Now, as a United Airline’s flight attendant, I get to do both, A LOT. I enjoy racing through the terminal trying to make my connection home (only to find out that it’s been delayed for an hour, bummer). But when I do get the chance, the best way to spend time at the airport is to EAT (and people watch at the same time).

Yes, eating at the airport is expensive (heck, even with my crew discount, its still a bit steep). But ask any flight attendant, and we will tell you places that are definitely worth your money.

I go through some of our bases more frequently since we have more flights going in and out of there. I spend the most time in SFO (San Francisco), DEN (Denver), ORD (Chicago) and IAD (Washington D.C.).

Right now, I’m writing this in Boston, waiting for my flight to D.C. (first time in Boston..), and I’m having a not-so-great clam chowder – such a disappointment (I thought Boston was known for it!) and a total waste of money.

So, to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you, here are my favorite GOOD EATS.

DEN (Concourse B):
I enjoy being in Denver the most. I make my way upstairs to Paradise Bakery & Café. I always luck out and the soup of the day is Fire Roasted Tomato Soup (maybe its always the soup of the day). It’s piping hot, topped with garlic sour cream and tortilla strips. YUM! Their cookies are really delicious too. I’ll sneak a couple sample pieces while I’m in line.

ORD (Concourse C):
I think Chicago has the most options since it is United’s biggest hub. We have a employee cafeteria that serves a mean omlette, but if I don’t get there, my hands-down favorite food is Café Zoot!’s Italian sub. It’s humongous, but I could eat one in one sitting.

As a side note, Eli’s Cheesecake and Garrett’s popcorn is also available and always yummy. For the budget conscious, there’s a Mc Donald’s too.

IAD (C&D Gates):
When I’m in IAD, I always wish its morning time. California Tortilla makes the best breakfast burrito. I also like the sandwiches from Pot Belly. I enjoy Wendy’s and Dunkin’ Donuts too! I think all of these food joints are available outside the airport, but Dunkin’ Donuts doesn’t exist in L.A. so I always get excited when I see one.

SFO:
One word, the most expensive airport to eat at (in my experience). I go to Subway because they have a daily $5 sub special. But they also have a Boudin’s that serves good clam chowder in its famous sourdough bowl and a take-out Gordon Biersch that has really good garlic fries.

So it’s not about eating, but I must share this shopping tip: If you really have a long layover at SFO, you can walk over to the international terminal (the bridge that you go through has a great view of planes at the gate) and peek at high-end stores like Coach and Gucci. If you only have time to stay in the domestic terminal, there’s a Mango store (women’s boutique) with some cute things in front of the main food court. I also enjoy the cushy moving walkways, and you’ll know what I mean when you step onto one.

So recently, I’ve noticed that I have three favorite places to be – the airport, hotel and eating at restaurants. Wow, I think I’ve hit the jackpot with this job (Although I love being home the most).

So the only catch to this story is that these places only exist if you fly United Airlines.. and pretty soon Continental Airlines (since we are merging to become the world’s biggest airline! Impressive, huh?).

See you at an airport near you!

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Here’s Bompas & Parr’s yum-yum recipe:

INGREDIENTS
• 150 milliliters gin, such as Hendrick’s
• 300 milliliters Indian tonic water
• 50 milliliters Simple Syrup
• Splash of rose water
• 5 gelatin leaves
• UV black light

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine gin, tonic water, simple syrup, and rose water in a large heatproof measuring cup; set aside.

Cut gelatin leaves into fine pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Add enough gin and tonic mixture to cover and set aside until gelatin softens.

Place softened gelatin mixture over a pan of simmering water and heat until gelatin leaves are fully melted.

Remove gelatin mixture from heat and stir in the remainder of the gin and tonic mixture. Strain back into the measuring cup. Pour into a jelly mold or bowl and refrigerate until set.

Unmold jelly by briefly immersing the mold or bowl in a bowl of hot water, then invert over a serving plate. For maximum effect, turn off all the lights and switch on a black light, then serve the glowing jelly to thrilled diners.

Ta-dah!

Total: 20 mins, plus time to set
Active: 20 mins
Makes: About 3 servings

Source: www.chow.com

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Although I was hoping for a more crazy look and feel (as per my previous post), I must say, I was quite pumped and excited — as you can see from all the pictures I took of the Domo figurines that come with the straw (cost $1.99 and I bought three…).

There are tons more pics below of the actual 7-Eleven store experience with Domo all around.  Enjoy!

Domo Trio on my laptop…aren’t they cute?  The hip-hop Domo cracks me up.  Look at him, so gangsta, haha!

Domo Coffee Cup for 99 cents which I didn’t buy.  If it looked exactly like it did in ceramic form, I would have bought 100.

Domo Goods

Spotted the Domo Manga behind a yellow “caution: wet floor” sign…

Spiced Pumpkin Latte by Domo. Perfect for October

Domo Slurpees of course!

Ahhhh, I just love this guy…<3

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DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Domo, the fuzzy brown creature with a trademark enigmatic open-mouth expression, takes 7-Eleven® stores by storm this fall. From collectible Slurpee® cups filled with Fuji Frost by Fanta, and flocked Slurpee character straws to Big Bite® hot dog containers, coffee cups and even an exclusive Domo Attack! Energy drink, Domo will have 7-Eleven customers seeing brown, interrupted by red and sharp white teeth.

Created by Japanese illustrator and director Tsuneo Goda as the mascot for Japanese public television station NHK in 1998, Domo has a unique look and personality that quickly catapulted the character into one of the Internet’s biggest sensations. Domo has achieved pop culture super-status through user-generated content and thousands of viral videos on popular websites like YouTube, Facebook and Flickr.

“Fuji Frost has a sweet red-apple taste, which is a tongue-in-cheek choice since apples are the one food Domo doesn’t like,” said Jay Wilkins, 7-Eleven category manager for proprietary cold beverages. “Because Domo loves Slurpee drinks and appears everywhere in our stores, theoretically Fuji Frost Slurpee drinks are Domo-proof.” Fuji Frost is named for Mount Fuji, Japan’s most well-known landmark.

A new three-part webisode, which can be viewed exclusively online at www.slurpee.com and www.domonation.com, tells the story of Domo and his friends on a quest for a Slurpee beverage. Each of the 30-second segments will debut weekly on the two websites starting Oct. 1. The stop-action animated Domo video was created and produced exclusively for 7-Eleven by dwarf inc., the Japanese animation company that originally created Domo and all his friends.

Collectible cups feature Domo and his furry sidekicks enjoying Slurpee drinks and one showing Domo experiencing a Brainfreeze™. For Domo fans, a tiny flocked Domo character is affixed to premium Slurpee straws, selling for $1.99. From hip hop to wrestling themes, each of the four Slurpee straws features Domo sporting a different costume and accessories.
Coffee and Big Bite hot dogs, two of 7-Eleven’s best-selling proprietary items, also get ‘Domo-nized’ as a limited offering through Nov. 15. To reach younger coffee drinkers, 7-Eleven is offering coffee in a special brown Domo cup for just 99 cents. Store signage promoting the coffee deal urges customers to “Obey the Domo.” Likewise, the Big Bite hot dog also will retail for 99 cents and be served in a cardboard “clam-shell” carrier resembling Domo’s face, with the mouth opening to reveal the food.

“You won’t be able to go to a 7-Eleven store in October and miss Domo,” Wilkins said. “We’ve let Domo fans know he’s coming with notices on Facebook and Twitter, and the online buzz about his 7-Eleven debut has already been building.”

A larger-than-life Domo candy display will feature Snicker’s and Reese’s candy bars in the open mouth of the character as well as a shelf to display Domo DVDs ($15.99), where available. Collectibles like Domo Qee* miniature action figures in cup-like packaging ($9.99), Domo Manga comic books ($3.99), plush characters and apparel, like caps and T-shirts are also available. 7-Eleven has even emblazoned special-edition gift cards with Domo’s likeness. Domo is also front and center on much of the in-store product signage and storefront banners.

Big Tent Entertainment, the marketing and licensing company behind Domo, helped broker the deal with 7-Eleven. “Because Domo has such a hugely devoted, cult-like following among kids, teens and young adults, we believe he’s a perfect match for 7-Eleven and its iconic Slurpee brand,” said Big Tent Chief Executive Officer Rich Collins. “7-Eleven has created some very cool collectible items that will have Domo fans and Slurpee drinkers alike coming back for more.”

Read a sample of the DOMO manga that will be at 7-Eleven too!

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Well, Mari, our very own cute beverage specialist, was informed by a little bird, a fantastic concoction that tastes exactly like the white gummy bear candy. No exaggeration. The recipe is unique and it will definitely taste better and more accurate than any you find on Google.

Required Ingredients:

• 1oz raspberry vodka (or a bit of white cranberry for a virgin drink)
• 1/2oz sweet and sour
• 1/2oz peach schnapps
• Splash of sprite

Mix!

The great thing about this mini-cocktail is that you can adjust to your liking and it will pretty much taste the same. Of course we like our drinks on the stronger side…maybe that’s why I can never wake up after our GNOs…

Enjoy! It’s a cute drink to start any night out!

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