On one of our summer travels, a 45-minute layover turned into a 3-hour layover. And I was traveling with three young children. Alone
“Uh-oh,” was my first thought. “What are we going to do?”
I wandered over to the directory and spied Vino Volo, which looked like a wine bar, and decided to check it out. (Research… right?)
When we walked up, it was like an oasis of relaxation within Dulles airport. There were cafe tables in the walkway, but the store also had nice seating, great jazz music, a comfortable, inviting bar and a retail area with wine and all sorts of wine gadgets.
We scored a table near an outlet so my kids could charge their video games and play at the same time, I could charge my computer (and download a movie from iTunes for the flight) and my daughter was thrilled to use the iPad to watch a Strawberry Shortcake movie on NetFlix.
I looked over the menu, ordered half orders of grilled cheese and some sort of sparkling juice for the kids and a half brie and prosciutto sandwich for myself and the World Noirs flight of wines to taste.
Each glass of wine was accompanied by a tasting sheet, listing characteristics of the wine as well as the price for a bottle.
I was delighted by each of the wines and ended up buying a bottle of the Elusiv Pinot Noir to share with my husband once he joined us on vacation. Conveniently, they also sold padded cases to keep the wine safe in my bag.
When the food came, I enjoyed my sandwich, which was a nice break from the typical airport fare, but the grilled cheese was a bit too gourmet for the kids. I ordered a meat plate with salamis and the like and my kids were happy again.
In what seemed like no time, our layover neared its end and it was time to board the plane to Boston.
I hoped our next flight that Saturday (which my husband would be flying with us) would go through an airport with a Vino Volo location and, sure enough, it did.
I shared my new discovery with him and this time we asked permission to bring in more kid-friendly food, which was graciously granted. My husband and I enjoyed a few glasses of wine, a meat and cheese plate and another delightful layover was over quicker than I ever expected it to be. I almost felt like I was on a date with my husband!
On your next flight, check to see if there is a VinoVolo location in the airport (there are 12 locations now) and turn waiting time into relaxation time.
Have you visited Vino Volo or any other airport wine bars? What have your experiences been?
I hate flying. But, this makes me want to take a trip.
I’m curious as to how the prices compared. I know most things in airports are outrageous compared to the outside world. Did you find the prices reasonable, or were they on the high end?
That’s great that they allowed you to bring in kid friendly fare. Perhaps they’ll take a hint and offer a few less than gourmet items on the menu for traveling families.
Surprisingly, the prices were quite reasonable for what we got!
The children’s food was $6 per serving for a small order of mac and cheese and my sandwich was also $6, what I would expect to pay at a cafe.
Most of the wines were between $7- $14 per glass ($20- $40 per bottle for most bottles), and the flights were from $7 to $14 for three tastings.
Those sound like pretty standard non-airport restaurant prices. Fun!
What a cool place! I’m glad to know about it and will look for it when I travel. The menu looks pretty good and the prices look reasonable. Thanks!
My kind of airport stop! What airports are these in… cause that’s where I’m going to fly to! Sounds like very relaxing and not airportish… if you know what I mean.
Reading this makes me want to buy a ticket….to Dulles Airport! So glad you were able to take a bottle of Pinot to share with the hubby. Great tips!
FWIW, my cousin (1/2 way to becoming a Sommelier) works at a Vino Volo and they are aggressively expanding across the country. She is hoping to be transferred to Dallas this fall to run one of the two they are planning to open this year at DFW. Cheers!