Review: United's invite-only Classified restaurant at Newark
As a frequent United flyer to Europe, I spend a lot of time inside Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Terminal C. Because United is the terminal's sole occupant, the lounge options are limited to United Clubs and the Polaris Lounge, with no Priority Pass options.
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For some lucky United flyers, there's another option to enjoy a nice meal and excellent runway views; plus, it provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy terminal. During a recent trip, I finally got the chance to experience it myself.
Here's what it was like to enjoy lunch at Classified.
What is the Classified restaurant?
Classified is United's private, exclusive, invitation-only restaurant, which opened its doors in 2017. It is in Newark's Terminal C, past security, near gate C120.
Getting access
To have a chance at being invited to Classified, you must book a ticket with United leaving from Newark. I've held Premier elite status with United for about five years now, and this was my first invite. So, they're definitely on the rarer side — which meant I was thrilled to finally get the opportunity to check it out. My invitation came by email the day before my flight.
I clicked through the email and was prompted to enter my MileagePlus number to choose from a few reservation times.
Once I made my reservation, I received a confirmation email.
Entering Classified
Classified is hidden inside a different restaurant, Saison — sort of like a speak-easy concept. I checked in outside the Saison and told the waitress I had a 2:15 p.m. reservation for Classified.
Within a few minutes, a new waitress appeared, greeted me and escorted me through a nondescript restaurant to a door that said, "Private."
My waitress opened the door and guided me down a long, dimly lit hallway, where I took a left and was met by the restaurant. Definitely like a speak-easy.
Upon entering the restaurant, everything felt simultaneously intimate and ornate, with brass light fixtures and colorful seating. There were only a few tables with space for about 30 people throughout the restaurant, which is shaped like a long oval. Large panoramic windows on one side immediately drew my eye toward stellar airfield views of Boeing wide-body jets scheduled to head to Europe later that evening.
There were three big-screen TVs at each end of the restaurant and one in the middle playing the local news.
As I sat down at my table, I was offered a choice of still or sparkling water, and I opted for sparkling. The table was clean and elegant, with a simple flower arrangement, salt and pepper shakers, glass and tableware. The knife was plastic — because of security requirements inside the airport — although it was still made to look elegant.
After bringing my water, the waitress informed me that I would save 20% on my bill if I used a United MileagePlus credit card.
The Menu
Saison and Classified share many of the same menu items; however, Classified's menu tends to be more upscale and features some elevated twists. The cuisine is a mix of American and European.
Classified — unfortunately, in my view — follows the trend of nixing physical menus in favor of digital ones; this is something that's prevalent at airport eateries run by restauranteur OTG, including all of those at Terminal C. I was asked to scan a QR code to order from my phone rather than with my waitress. I asked for a paper menu; the waitress provided one but informed me it was outdated. You can see the full menu here.
The digital menu showcased a few popular items from various categories at the top; it was otherwise grouped by drinks, the raw bar, appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees. I ordered three courses: an appetizer, a sandwich and dessert.
The drink menu was expansive, with a solid selection of premium beer, spirits and wine. The drink prices aligned with what you'd expect from most airport bars, especially in the notoriously expensive New York City market.
I opted for the tableside aperitivo highball ($20), which was made right in front of me. This drink consisted of St. Agrestis Paradiso, Rinomato Bianco and soda. It took about five minutes for me to get my drink after I ordered it.
The food
I debated trying the strip steak, but I opted for a lighter fare since I was having a fairly late lunch ahead of a six-hour transcontinental flight, during which I was planning to be productive and get some work done.
I started with the Tsukiji Bluefin tuna crudo ($24). The dish arrived shortly after my drink.
I usually steer clear of fish in airports or airplanes, but I was surprised at how tasty and refreshing this dish was. The tuna was fresh, and the spicy sauce and avocado complemented it perfectly.
Next, I chose the Classified chicken sandwich with organic grilled chicken, havarti cheese and heirloom tomato on a ciabatta roll with hand-cut fries ($20). You could substitute the fries for a simple salad at no extra cost. This came so quickly after I received my appetizer that I hadn't finished the tuna yet.
This one was disappointing. The chicken was dry and bland and needed more seasoning, and the sandwich had too much cheese. The fries, however, were crisp and tasty.
Once I finished that, I waited for my dessert to come. I was torn between the Classified Creme Brulee ($15) and the Seasonal Pavlova ($16). My waitress recommended the Creme Brulee, so I went with that.
It took about 20 minutes after I finished my main course for the creme brulee to come. It was topped with fresh berries and powdered sugar and had just the right amount of burnt char with a sweet yet tangy flavor. It was refreshing and the perfect way to end the meal. This, by far, was the highlight of the meal for me.
The experience
Throughout my visit to Classified, only a few of the other tables were occupied. I never saw more than six diners at any given point, including myself, making this quite an intimate experience. I only saw one server, who was working all of the tables and was fantastic.
My waitress was friendly, helpful and eager to answer any questions I had. She informed me that all the bread was made in-house and that everything was made fresh and cooked on-site — something that can be a challenge for airport restaurants. She also told me that most customers are surprised that security requirements mean that you won't get a steak knife if you order a filet, just a plastic knife.
We chatted for about 20 minutes after I wrapped up my meal, and she told me that the restaurant sees, on average, 30 reservations throughout the day, from breakfast to dinner.
Compared to the a la carte restaurant at United's premium Polaris Lounges, the menu at Classified is much more extensive.
Each table had power outlets, and the restaurant had a private, fast Wi-Fi network available.
There were two private restrooms for Classified customers that offered a swanky aesthetic — and floor tiles that spelled out "looking good."
On my way out of the restaurant, my waitress informed me that if I wanted to eat at the restaurant again, I could book another reservation online using the link in my original email rather than waiting for another invitation.
Overall impression
Since this was my first invitation to visit Classified, it was worth it just for the experience, the novelty and the great airfield views. The food was above average, though my sandwich was disappointing.
Considering that a three-course lunch with fairly basic options with a drink cost more than $100, I'm not sure I would dine there again. The prices were not unreasonable for what it offered, but it's more than I would normally want to spend in the airport before a flight.
I compared the menu to other restaurants inside Terminal C, and the prices were similar. Still, those other restaurants don't offer the ambience and views that Classified has. Also, if you hold a United MileagePlus card, you can save 20% off your bill, making this a more reasonable option.
If you get the invitation to go Classified, I believe it is a worthwhile experience to try it at least once. On the other hand, if you have the choice between Classified and the Polaris Lounge (which long-haul business-class passengers can access), I would opt for the Polaris Lounge and its private — free — dining menu. If you were choosing between Classified and the standard United Club, though, I would say to go with Classified for a proper meal and for the privacy and quiet.
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