The Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan by Delaware North Cos. Travel Hospitality Services and M/D Food Group to bring The Original Farmers Market, one of the city’s most historic tourist and culinary attractions, to Los Angeles International Airport, along with other popular brands such as Loteria Grill and Monsieur Marcel.
“Our goal is to bring an authentic, local L.A. experience to LAX,” says Travel Hospitality Services President Matt King. “Our proposed brands are fresh, exciting and will really give passengers a flavor of what L.A. is all about.”
“As we transform and renovate LAX, we want to create a ‘sense of place’ that reflects the locales and flavors of the Los Angeles region,” adds Debbie Bowers, deputy executive director for commercial development. “The competition resulted in a slate of new food and beverage establishments representing some of L.A.’s most sought-after restaurants and celebrity chefs to help put the ‘L.A.’ back into ‘LAX.’”
The approved brand concepts center on replicating the imagery and excitement of The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, an iconic Los Angeles destination for 77 years and a top tourist attraction in the city. Incorporating the iconic Clock Tower in its design, the proposed “stroll through Farmers Market” concept at LAX will attempt to redefine the traditional notion of a food court, offering artisanal cuisine in an environment that conveys the cultural experience and sense of nostalgia of the original location.
The Original Farmers Market at LAX will offer fresh, high-quality foods, vegetables, fruit, snacks and beverages from some of its long-time tenants, including T & Y Bakery, Magee’s House of Nuts, Light My Fire and Three Dog Bakery.
Several popular eateries found at Farmers Market were also approved, including Lotería Grill, a highly rated Mexican restaurant concept, and Monsieur Marcel, a critically acclaimed traditional French bistro serving specialty bread, wine, cheese and snacks, was also included.
Rounding out the approved concepts will be two locations of L.A.-based The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Last fall, Delaware North, as part of a joint venture with partner Marbella Food Services, was also selected by LAX to bring Skewers, a new Japanese Yakatori concept by famed Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and a Wolfgang Express by popular chef Wolfgang Puck to the airport.
Currently, Delaware North operates the recently opened Pink’s Hot Dogs LAX and the Daily Grill Restaurant, both in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, as well as The Encounter Restaurant & Bar, located inside the landmark LAX Theme Building, and another Wolfgang Express.
