Darren
Jul 4, 01, 4:12 am
Right off the heels of the American flight, I spent the night in Reading with a good friend of mine and his wife. Though I am not particularly fond of London, I do enjoy them very much, and see them whenever I can. This trip included a delightfully blueblooded party, where I was dreadfully out of place. But I enjoyed it just the same, and got to see a slice of English life that I probably would not have otherwise seen.
In London, I met up with Richlond for the London-Dubai flights. Unfortunately, this was to be a turnaround thing for personal reasons. So I can technically say that I have been to Dubai, but realistically not.
The last time I was in the Terrace lounges at LHR's T4, it was all torn up. I think the bottom was completely closed, and everyone was stuffed (literally) into the Concorde lounge. I was also told that they are working on a third level, but it was not open. The concorde lounge is in the middle, and the first lounge is downstairs. I was told I had access to both, though not everyone did. I am not sure why, to be honest, and I don't know the criterion for being allowed into the Concorde lounge. The downstairs lounge was more crowded, but I went down to test out the shower facilities. The lounge includes a spa/shower/makeup/pampering area, where a tired traveler can go to feel pretty again. I was told to ask for one of the steam rooms, but they were closed. The showers were nice and spacious, and included this German-made showering machine. Complete with instructions on the wall. It resembled one of the deradiation getups that you might see in the movies, with flashing lights and lots of jets spraying in oddly enjoyable directions.
In order to protect my delicate complexion, I decided to forego the makeover and headed back to the lounge for some computer time and some serious lounging. Richlond had not yet arrived, so it was my time to relax. Many very nice computers in the lounge, but the Internet is slow as molasses. Thought for a while that they were trying to communicate via carrier pigeon. Several flat-screen televisions dotted the lounge, predictably playing the latest Wimbledon match. To the opposite side, there is a bar and eating area for the pre-flight dining option. Didn't partake, but rather just had a pretty decent Ceasar salad and a glass of wine or six.
Rich arrived a little early, and so we headed down to the gate. The 777 was set up like the AA flight, but the darker interior and lower ceilings made it seem smaller. It quickly became painfully obvious that BA uses some of the older planes on the middle east routes, as we went through a plethora of mechanical problems. My only problem was when I pushed down the television set, only to have it not come back out. The constructive flight attendant used the British Repair Method and stuck a fork in to pry it out. Rich's first seat would not recline completely into the bed position, and his second did not have an operational video system.
The cabin was relatively empty. I think maybe there were 3 other people. The flight attendants were fantastic, and personally made me feel like a valued customer. They did know my name without asking, and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. On several occasions, they made recommendations of different foods and wines that they preferred, and would never let a glass become empty without being right there to fill it up. Very professional, fluid, and inviting.
Food was good, though I have learned what not to order on BA. Steak. The FA's have a pendant for overcooking things.
Wine list (*-what I had)
Champagne
* Piper Heidsieck Rare
Whites
Sancerre Cuvee Edmond, 1998, Alphonse Mellot
Saint-Aubin Premier Cru Les Cortons, 1999, Roux Pere et Fils
Tokay Pinot Gris de Riquewihr, 1997, Dopff au Moulin
Reds
Bahand-Haut-Brion, 1997, Pessac-Leognan
* Brunello di Montalcino, 1995, Leonardo (think we cleared out their stock)
Beune Premier Cru Les Epenottes, 1998, Domaine Parent
Appetisers
Loch Fyne smoked Salmon
* Warm onion and goat cheese tarte tatin
Mixed salad
Main Courses
Grilled fillet steak, parsely butterm potato cake, and wilted spinach
* Iranian braised chicken, walnut and pomegranate spiced sauce, pistachio and coriander basmati rice
Risotto timbale with gorganzola cheese
Dessert
* Michel Roux's lemon tart
Usual cheese list
Normal breakfast stuff
The menu was inspired by Michel Roux of the Waterside Inn of Bray. Though I have not been there, I did go to the Fat Duck in Bray, where part of the topic of conversation was about the Waterside Inn. Though someone said they felt Roux was getting too big for his britches, most of the comments were good and most of the people felt that his Michelin star was justified.
In London, I met up with Richlond for the London-Dubai flights. Unfortunately, this was to be a turnaround thing for personal reasons. So I can technically say that I have been to Dubai, but realistically not.
The last time I was in the Terrace lounges at LHR's T4, it was all torn up. I think the bottom was completely closed, and everyone was stuffed (literally) into the Concorde lounge. I was also told that they are working on a third level, but it was not open. The concorde lounge is in the middle, and the first lounge is downstairs. I was told I had access to both, though not everyone did. I am not sure why, to be honest, and I don't know the criterion for being allowed into the Concorde lounge. The downstairs lounge was more crowded, but I went down to test out the shower facilities. The lounge includes a spa/shower/makeup/pampering area, where a tired traveler can go to feel pretty again. I was told to ask for one of the steam rooms, but they were closed. The showers were nice and spacious, and included this German-made showering machine. Complete with instructions on the wall. It resembled one of the deradiation getups that you might see in the movies, with flashing lights and lots of jets spraying in oddly enjoyable directions.
In order to protect my delicate complexion, I decided to forego the makeover and headed back to the lounge for some computer time and some serious lounging. Richlond had not yet arrived, so it was my time to relax. Many very nice computers in the lounge, but the Internet is slow as molasses. Thought for a while that they were trying to communicate via carrier pigeon. Several flat-screen televisions dotted the lounge, predictably playing the latest Wimbledon match. To the opposite side, there is a bar and eating area for the pre-flight dining option. Didn't partake, but rather just had a pretty decent Ceasar salad and a glass of wine or six.
Rich arrived a little early, and so we headed down to the gate. The 777 was set up like the AA flight, but the darker interior and lower ceilings made it seem smaller. It quickly became painfully obvious that BA uses some of the older planes on the middle east routes, as we went through a plethora of mechanical problems. My only problem was when I pushed down the television set, only to have it not come back out. The constructive flight attendant used the British Repair Method and stuck a fork in to pry it out. Rich's first seat would not recline completely into the bed position, and his second did not have an operational video system.
The cabin was relatively empty. I think maybe there were 3 other people. The flight attendants were fantastic, and personally made me feel like a valued customer. They did know my name without asking, and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. On several occasions, they made recommendations of different foods and wines that they preferred, and would never let a glass become empty without being right there to fill it up. Very professional, fluid, and inviting.
Food was good, though I have learned what not to order on BA. Steak. The FA's have a pendant for overcooking things.
Wine list (*-what I had)
Champagne
* Piper Heidsieck Rare
Whites
Sancerre Cuvee Edmond, 1998, Alphonse Mellot
Saint-Aubin Premier Cru Les Cortons, 1999, Roux Pere et Fils
Tokay Pinot Gris de Riquewihr, 1997, Dopff au Moulin
Reds
Bahand-Haut-Brion, 1997, Pessac-Leognan
* Brunello di Montalcino, 1995, Leonardo (think we cleared out their stock)
Beune Premier Cru Les Epenottes, 1998, Domaine Parent
Appetisers
Loch Fyne smoked Salmon
* Warm onion and goat cheese tarte tatin
Mixed salad
Main Courses
Grilled fillet steak, parsely butterm potato cake, and wilted spinach
* Iranian braised chicken, walnut and pomegranate spiced sauce, pistachio and coriander basmati rice
Risotto timbale with gorganzola cheese
Dessert
* Michel Roux's lemon tart
Usual cheese list
Normal breakfast stuff
The menu was inspired by Michel Roux of the Waterside Inn of Bray. Though I have not been there, I did go to the Fat Duck in Bray, where part of the topic of conversation was about the Waterside Inn. Though someone said they felt Roux was getting too big for his britches, most of the comments were good and most of the people felt that his Michelin star was justified.