August 8, 2008

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport to feature local
restaurants and shopping

HMSHost has been awarded two new 12-year food, beverage and retail concessions contracts at Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), part of the airport’s $1.3 billion Terminal Area Improvement Program. HMSHost and its local partners will bring 24 new restaurant brands and the retail shops that will transform the new Terminal B/North Concourse and remodeled Terminal A into an environment that is uniquely San José.

National and international brands will join well-known local icons making their debut throughout the new terminal, including: C.J. Olson Cherries, Author’s Bookstore featuring Hicklebee’s Book Emporium, Chiaramonte’s Deli, Mojo Burger, Santa Cruz Wine Bar, Schurra’s Fine Confections, Techshowcase, the San Jose Shark Cage, Sonoma Chicken Coop, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Starbucks, Sunset News, Sushi Boat, Harbor Express and Una Mas Mexican Grill.

“HMSHost has delivered quality experiences to our passengers for more than 40 years,” said Bill Sherry, director of aviation for Mineta San José International Airport. “As we build our new airport for the 21st century, Host has adapted to meet the expectations both of our community and our travelers for an airport that reflects the local personality of San Jose and the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley.”

“Travelers to and from San José will have a taste of local shopping and food in this great city from the moment they step into the airport,” said Pat Banducci, Senior Vice President, Business Development, for HMSHost.

Free-standing shops, kiosks and in-line stores will create a shopping destination within the airport. A salute to Santa Clara’s agricultural heritage, C.J. Olson Cherries of Sunnyvale will sell its famous fresh produce as well as gift baskets featuring dried fruits, nuts and chocolates, all available for shipping. Techshowcase will serve as the launch for new products from BlackBerry, Sony, Nokia and other brands with in-store demonstrations of new-to-market technology gadgets.

Sunset magazine will lend its name to Sunset News, which will feature monitors broadcasting the San José Travelers Information Network, created by HMSHost to deliver current event and promotional information.

The Shark Cage restaurant and bar, a joint effort by HMSHost and the Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment Group, will pay homage to the local professional hockey team, the San José Sharks. Vintage team photographs and sports memorabilia will adorn walls outfitted in the Sharks’ colors of teal, black and silver. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus will focus on American comfort foods..

At Sonoma Chicken Coop’s airport outpost, farm-raised chicken will be slow-cooked over an open fire, and served with sides of leek mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables or black beans. Grilled salmon risotto and BBQ ribs will appear alongside salads, soups and appetizers such as goat cheese fondue. Regional ingredients will be procured from local farmers.

San José’s oldest Italian delicatessen, Chiaramonte’s, opened its doors in 1908. Chiaramonte’s at SJC will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner from an overhead blackboard menu of the Sicilian family’s time-tested recipes for sausage and mushrooms, beer-braised sausage and meat loaf with garlic mashed potatoes. Made-to-order sandwiches, salads, chili and Pyramid Ale House beers from its nearby Berkeley brewery, will also be served.

With views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Santa Cruz Wine Bar will showcase local labels at a semi-circular bar for wine tasting and a restaurant for food pairings. The wine bar will serve food from Brioche Dorée Café next door. Designed to complement the featured wines, the menu will include artisan breads and salads of fresh greens, nuts, cheeses, olives and fruits.

Local entrepreneur Peter Favre’s Mojo Burger will serve its signature Meyer Natural Angus beef from Montana, 100 percent natural Happy Dan chicken from Martinelli Farms and fresh cut fries, all made to order. Like its San José locations, Hawaiian-themed art, tropical flowers, flat-screen TVs for adults and children, an open, all-glass exhibition kitchen and airy island theme will distinguish Mojo Burger from other food court options.

The New York Times calls Una Mas “A Who’s Who in Healthy Mex.” An SJC staple, the Chu family’s Harbor Express serves healthy, preservative-free Chinese staples and daily specialties. Sushi Boat, a San José-area Japanese restaurant, will bring its unique dining experience to the airport.

Banducci added, “These outstanding local stores and neighborhood restaurants—including homage to the local sports team—deserve a place inside the airport because they all send the message about the importance of San Jose’s history—the city has a rich past that has translated into a wonderful present. With the addition of these stores and restaurants to the new terminal, HMSHost plans to be a part of the San Jose community and to make the traveler’s day better for quite some time.”