Q. When is a lounge not a longe?
A. When the lounge is a Priority Pass lounge (sometimes).
Priority Pass, the worldwide network of over 1,000 airport lounges, has been adding some unconventional venues like restaurants and even some Minute Suites. Traveling through Denver, CO recently, I was surprised when the Lounge Buddy app, which seems to update automatically, alerted me that DEN now had a Priority Pass Lounge – Timberline Steaks & Grille.
I was travelling in the morning and decided to stop for breakfast. My departure gate, A26 was only a three-minute ride away on the airport train. Escalators from the train to the concourse level end right next to the restaurant.
The restaurant is open Sunday – Friday 06:00 – 22:00 and Saturday 06:00 – 21:00. For food and beverages, Priority Pass members receive a $28 credit, or $56 credit if they register one guest. Present your Priority Pass card before ordering. The credit is very generous for breakfast. Here is the breakfast menu:
I ordered the steak & eggs and a mimosa to max out my credit. The steak was supposed to be 8 ozs. It was actually more like 14 ozs.
Timberline did an excellent job with this meal. The steak was prepared medium and juicy. The potatoes had just the right combination of a crunchy outside and soft inside. The eggs were cooked as ordered. Each item was served at the right temperature. Then, to top it off, a delicious Mimosa.
The bill came to $26. The restaurant charged nothing, although the bill shows a calculation that is not the same as a straight $28 credit.
Lunch begins at 10:45. I looked at the lunch menu to see what it offered.
For lunch, the Priority Pass credit will go along way but may not cover the total bill. If you have a guest, the $56 credit may cover both meals if one spends slightly more than $28 and the other spends correspondingly less.
Seating at the bar and tables is strictly restaurant style. Although Timberline has wifi, you would not want to hang out here after a meal unless there was something of great interest on the TV.
Final Thoughts
The delicious a la carte breakfast courtesy of Priority Pass was a very welcome surprise. I applaud Priority Pass for starting to expand its arsenal of lounges to include restaurants. Lounges are great places to relax and work, but not many lounges can match a restaurant for food. Ideally, one would visit Timberline for a delicious meal and then retire to the United, American or Delta lounges for work or relaxation.
