Classified

Sure enough, the management of the Classified (in partnership with the United Airlines) jumped on the trend wagon of attracting customers by the advertized 'secrecy' and exclusivity. This is the same trend that caused to spring to life numerous 'secret', unmarked, by-invitations-only restaurants, pop-ups, and speakeasies of our days. The human nature equals anything exclusive with highly prized and desirable. In reality, the 'exclusive' Classified is actually a part of the Saison restaurant (in the back of which the Classified is located), open to wide public. The Classified is staffed with the same employees as the Saison. The Saison, in its turn, is owned by the same corporation OTG that owns the Classified and dozens of other restaurants, both in Newark and other North-American airports. That is not to say anything denigrating about the Classified. First and foremost: the food is very good, and as far as the airport food is concerned, the Classified occupies one of the top spots, even with the proliferation of the fine dining establishments in the world airports. There are more than numerous options for every taste, the service is very polite and obliging, and the comfort for your pre-flight is incomparable. Just for the perk of avoiding the hustle and bustle and the noisiness and the constant commotion the Classified should be given a due credit. After presenting yourself to one of the Saison employees, you are being escorted through a corridor to a completely separated area with comfortable seating and tables arranged in two rows, one facing the airfield, and the opposite one is facing the wall. Certainly, we would recommend you the row facing the windows offering the opportunity to watch the planes take off and land. The ordering and payment is done via tablets mounted on each table. The payment could be done via credit card (the double card readers are mounted on your table as well) or you can pay using your United miles, which can be done on the tablet. The comfortable restrooms are located in the hallway, right before the doors leading to the Classified. The prices are not that bad, even though somewhat on a pricier side. Our breakfast included a STEAK & EGGS (6 oz. Steak, 2 Eggs Any Style, Breakfast Potatoes/$24) and FARM OMELETTE (Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms, Goat Cheese, 3 Egg Omelette/$16). Both choices were very good. Finally, the Classified is accessible from every terminal in Newark. We were departing to Canada from Terminal A and with the Classified located in the Terminal C, we had some trouble figuring out how to get to the restaurant. The web search yielded advices to board the airtrain. That's wrong, you can't take the airtrain once beyond the security checkpoint. But the shuttle bus is the way to go. Once in Terminal A, facing the airside, keep left towards Gate A28, take the stairs down, go outside and board one of the shuttle buses. Once arriving to Terminal C, take the stairs up, and you will find yourself by the Gate C71, from where it is a short walk to the Gate C120, where the Classified is located.