Capital One Lounge Debuts at DCA With José Andrés Food

"Opened on Nov. 19, the new 5,500-square-foot lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Terminal 2 near Concourse D is a culinary-forward airport concept designed in collaboration with chef José Andrés. "DCA is my home airport, so it was the perfect place to create a completely new airport experience with our friends at Capital One — one that is centered around great food and drinks, giving travelers the quality and taste they’ve come to know at our José Andrés Group restaurants," chef José Andrés told Food & Wine. “There's not really a blueprint for what we're doing here,” says Jenn Scheurich, head of Capital One Travel + Retail Experience. “We're trying to do something that's entirely new.” The José Andrés Group’s first foray into airport dining offers a menu of Spanish tapas — including pan con tomate, gambas al ajillo (shrimp swimming in garlicky olive oil), and chicken-filled croquetas — with ingredients like olive oil and jamón from Spain thoughtfully sourced from the chef’s longstanding purveyors and prepared in a full commercial-quality kitchen on-site. "Here you will find some of my favorite dishes — including croquetas like my mom used to make. Of course, everything is better with a great glass of Spanish wine or a cocktail on tap," Andrés added. "Travel should be an adventure, and that starts with the food and drink." The full-service bar features signature cocktails such as Ben Franklin’s Milk Punch made with Torres 20 Spanish brandy and the Fino Red Snapper, a sherry-based spin on a Bloody Mary; on tap for quicker service is the Continental Sour made with rye whiskey and a Spanish Tempranillo red wine floater, plus a thoughtful list of spirit-free cocktails. For dessert there are Basque cheesecake, flan, and tahini soft serve ice cream drizzled with olive oil. Just as delightful, the same cart that rolls around Andrés’ D.C. restaurant The Bazaar will make appearances in the lounge and, depending on the day and time, will deliver mimosas, gin and tonics with various garnishes, cheesecake with a host of toppings, or caviar and labneh in tiny handheld cones. The space’s design — with a warm color palette, leather banquettes, and local art — takes inspiration from José Andrés restaurants as well as other Capital One lounges, but it was also designed with traveler conveniences in mind, with power outlets at every seat and plenty of luggage nooks and bag hooks. An adjacent "On the Fly" cafe serves coffee and grab-and-go meals and snacks from the José Andrés Group, like Xuixo (Catalan pastries filled with chocolate or vanilla cream), salads, and sandwiches; Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders get a 50% discount on purchases. Access and pricing are tiered: Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders receive unlimited complimentary access and can pre-book a reservation in the Capital One app, Venture and Spark Miles cardholders can purchase entry for the discounted rate of $45, and it’s $90 for non-cardholders. Capital One has been operating lounges since 2021, with locations including Dallas Fort Worth and Denver, and this Landing concept is the company’s latest culinary-focused approach, with another Landing slated to open soon at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA)." - Regan Stephens