Have you ever thought about dining at the airport? I mean having the time to sit down, enjoy a meal and linger over drinks and conversation? For the first time ever, I had enjoyed elevated airport dining that is comparable to dining out in the city and it was amazing!
I fly to and through the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport a few times a year. But it’s usually early in the morning or late in the evening and I’m focused it getting to my gate on time. Last month, I was heading home from one of my visits to Atlanta. I decided to drop off my rental car early in order to spend some time in what is known as the largest airport in the United States. I heard that there is a dine-in restaurant that was nominated twice for a James Beard Award. As a foodie, I wanted to check it out, so I headed directly to Concourse E in search of this mythical dining experience.
One Flew South is the creation of two Atlanta based businesses, Global Concessions and Jackmont Hospitality. Both businesses run many of the concessions at the airport as competitors. In 2009, they heard that was unused space available for food service so they came together because they wanted to offer an upscale restaurant that was Black led and focused on southern food from the African-American perspective.
I arrived at the E concourse of the airport, bags in hand, and there was a line up to get to the hostess stand. There is a dining area outside the restaurant (like a patio but indoors) with the warmly lit entrance to the dining room on the right. We waited approximately 5 minutes to get our names on the list then another 10 minutes to be seated. Once inside, you will see a mix of high and low top seating with two bar areas that also include seats.
In the 15 years since it’s been open, the menu has evolved to offer Asian and southern flavours and is now a restaurant and sushi bar. The menu features makimono, nigiri, sashimi and hand rolls on one page. The other page offers a selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts. They also offer a three course menu with beverage pairings.
While perusing the food list, my eyes were immediately drawn to the Lamb Ribs with bourbon molasses sauce, sweet potato salad, apple, peanuts, kale, goat cheese, and benne seeds. I was salivating as I ordered it but the ribs would not be ready for another 30 minutes. I couldn’t risk waiting that long but I hope to try this dish in the future. I settled on Hamachi Crudo with Peruvian hot sauce, takuan, scallion oil, and micro greens. The fish was fresh and the hot sauce gave it a nice kick but was not overpowering. My main dish was the Pork Belly and Potstickers. This dish was delicious! The flavourful broth with the ramen, juicy potstickers and oh so tender pork belly sang in my mouth.
My partner ordered the Smoked Trout Croquettes with chorizo aioli and green pea salad. While the croquettes were good, the green pea salad was outstanding! The dressing wI may have found my fork stealing more than one bite without invitation. The Smash Burger with black truffle ketchup, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, bacon jam and a side of fries was a pretty good. No complaints.
The drink menu includes a selection of beer from Georgia as well as US domestic and imported ones as well. But the wine list is no slouch! They feature fourteen wines be the glass – red and white each. And I spied a DRC on the list that was not priced outrageously. (If you know, you know.) I decided to see if the wines were to my liking. I started with a glass of rosé then a white and finished off with a red because why not?! The wines I ordered were all good! Looking around the bustling restaurant, I think One Flew South would make a great spot for afterwork drinks if it wasn’t located in an airport.
The service at the restaurant is very good. My server was knowledgable about the menu and drink list. I did not have to wait or flag her down for service or to get the bill. This restaurant is refuge from the hustle and bustle of the food court. If you have at least an hour an half to spare before going to your gate, it’s worth it to indulge in elevated airport dining at One Flew South Restaurant and Sushi Bar.
