British Airways (2483 pictures & videos)

8/10

Australia (ORR) to United States (LOZ), 23 Mar 2003

Economy Class

Dinner - Canapees; Goat cheese and pine nut torte; Lamb shank, olive oil mash and roasted root vegetables; Stilton, unpasteurised Boerenkaas and Crottin Jeune Goat Cheese; Vanilla panna cotta with mixed berries and vanilla ice cream. (Menu Card)

In the lounge: Tanqueray no. 10 gin & tonic. In the air: Krug Brut Grande Cuvee NV; Domane Wachau Riesling Smaragd Terrassen 2001; Meursault, 2000, Chartron et Trebuchet; Chateau Desmirail, 1996, Grand Cru Classe Margaux; Warre's, 1986, Re

In the JFK Concorde Lounge the evening started off with a G & T. For pre-flight dining, it was possible for you to take caviar with the usual accompaniments, although it wasn't on the menu. In the air, the champagne started off the flight and was served with some canapees (sorry, I ate one before remembering to take a snap). The Goat cheese and pine nut torte was rather tasteless in my opinion, but the Riesling and particularly the Meursault were very good. In retrospect I should have taken the scallop and spinach ravioli option. The Lamb shank was good (but not the most tasty I've ever had) and the mash in particular was excellent, being heavily loaded with lightly sauteed garlic whole clove segments: quite daring for airlines! Of course the Margaux complimented the lamb perfectly. The cheeses were OK but as usual, they are pre-prepared on a plate. It would be far more impressive to see a full cheese board as they do in restaurants. I find soft cheeses on all airlines are served way too cold to be lovely and gooey - perhaps the smell might put others off. The port was excellent as one would expect. The pinnacle of the meal was the Vanilla panna cotta which was absolutely wonderful especially when sampled with the Sauternes. Service was perfect except that they thought it was my birthday but they were three days late - but I am not going to deduct points for that!

Date added: 2008-05-21   //   Flight: 7:0   //   Aircraft: Boeing 747-400, First