May 29, 2013

HMSHost to Bring a Fresh Dining Experience to Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Local Michigan culinary and brewing flavors soon to be available to travelers

GRAND RAPIDS, MI —Global restaurateur HMSHost will welcome travelers to Gerald R. Ford International Airport withBell’s Brewery Bar, a West Michigan favorite, and Great Lakes Tap Room, a new restaurant which is characteristic of the Great Lakes region. A third restaurant, Greens, will feature creative, healthy, and fresh dishes. HMSHost will also refurbish the existing Starbucks and Great American Bagel and will continue to operate a Quiznos.

“We are excited for the upcoming changes to our terminals and we are confident that visitors of Gerald R. Ford International Airport will certainly enjoy the new dining options that HMSHost is bringing,” said Kent County Department of Aeronautics Executive Director Brian Ryks, A.A.E. “We are so pleased to have HMSHost as a committed partner in our efforts to integrate components of local Michigan businesses into our airport.”

“Beer City USA’s” largest airport will soon be home to a beloved member of the local brewing community with the opening ofBell’s Brewery Bar. With award-winning craft beers like Lager of the Lakes and Kalamazoo Stout, Bell’s Brewery Bar in the airport will give travelers the chance to experience West Michigan’s irresistible culture of food and craft brewing. The menu will be driven by a bounty of fresh ingredients from a variety of West Michigan suppliers through Bell’s own Eccentric Café menu. From an assortment of unique burgers to the Walleye Po’ Boy, the menu includes something for everyone. While enjoying a meal in the Grand Hall pre-security Bell’s, thirsty travelers can delight in a unique collection of historical beer artifacts adorning the walls.

Great Lakes Tap Room will have an industrial, yet warm and inviting look and feel in the airport’s Concourse B. A variety of regional beers will be available including Goose Island Nut Brown Ale from Chicago, New Holland Mad Hatter IPA from New Holland, and Great Lakes Holy Moses White Ale from Cleveland. Menu items such as brewhouse chips and warm, soft gourmet pretzels dusted with sea salt with cheddar stout dipping sauce, will pair very well with the many varieties of beer. Those yearning for an entrée will enjoy the slow roasted tender pulled pork platter, Italian beef, or chicken pot pie.

For travelers seeking consistently healthy and nutritious food any time of day, Greens will be in the pre-security Grand Hall Food Court area of the airport. Greens caters to every guest’s individual preferences. Guests can personalize their entrée-sized salad or pack their Panini with a wide selection of crispy greens, vegetables, cheeses, croutons, pita chips or mouth-watering meats like steak, shrimp, chicken, ham, or tofu. Delicious, yet quick items from the set-menu like the southwestern salad or a grilled steak with pepper jack Panini are also available.

“HMSHost is very much looking forward to continuing our strong partnership with Gerald R. Ford International Airport. We are proud to be working with the airport on opening a high quality collection of restaurants which we are confident will please travelers,” said HMSHost Senior Director of Business Development Bryan Loden. “We are very excited for this dining program’s focus on Michigan craft brewing and its connection to many local suppliers.”