Not that I've ever done it, but I've always known in-flight dining in the first-class seats is, well, classy. Now United Airlines has upped the class factor by teaming with Charlie Trotter. This isn't the first time United has teamed up with a restaurant, either. Earlier this year it introduced a menu from Trader Vic's on its first-class flights to Hawaii.The famous Chicago chef has crafted two menus, one for first class and one for business class. If I were flying first class, which I expect to be doing after I win next year's James Beard award for food writing, I'd start with the sautéed prawns and crispy short rib won tons with organic Thai barbeque sauce and chilled sweet and sour cucumber relish. I think I'd follow that with orange and ginger cured duck confit with roasted shallot vinaigrette, braised fennel and hazelnut jasmine rice. The very idea of eating duck confit at cruising altitude sounds like some sort of culinary Mile High club.
In the not unlikely event that I don't win a Beard award, the business class menu ain't so bad either. I'd be more than happy to lunch on citrus cured smoked salmon with a caramelized fennel citrus salad. For a main course, I'd go with the mustard braised pork medallion.
8-15-2007 @7:44PM MJ said... Many thanks for the improvement of food..........Now do I have to be on the plane for 12 hrs to get it?=this is great
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8-16-2007 @12:12PM Barry said... "but I've always known in-flight dining in the first-class seats is, well, classy"
Well, not really. You get food as opposed to having to buy it which is nice. And you do get metal utensils and a napkin. But the food you have to choose from, for say breakfast, is a way-greasy "cheese" "omlette" or cereal. Don't get me wrong it is nice to have food, but classy? Eh.
Now the free cocktails, that's a nice touch. ;)
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8-16-2007 @2:29PM AK said... I see that this will not change the cracker selection I have flying coach. So meh.
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8-16-2007 @2:12PM Christy said... Doesn't matter. NOTHING could persuade us to fly United ever again.
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8-17-2007 @10:00PM vivshmack said... for all the great food writing you do here & at gothamist, you *definitely* have my vote for a james beard award!!
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