Originally Posted by
Smirnoff
I agree with you that the pre-ordered VLMLs are usually dire/bland/weird and that the veggie choice on the standard menu is always far far better. I don't know why they can't simply make the VLML the normal meal. Mrs Smirnoff usually orders a VLML, but I usually end up swapping with her, so that she can get some edible stuff off the main tray. And the kids always order AVMLS as you are guaranteed a nice kid-friendly curry with rice, which always goes down better than some bizarre aubergine stew with cauliflower, rock-hard chick peas and vegan dumplings. The only problem then is that they get a 2nd meal of something weird like spicy curried okra sandwiches.
Same bizarre reasoning goes into shorthaul VLMLs, where you don't get a dessert, you often don't get milk, and you get a stale breadroll wrapped in plastic. It's quite bizarre. Somewhere in Europe there must be a mountain of uneaten unopened stale bread rolls in platic packaging. I assume they are being kept for ammunition in a future war somewhere.
I must confess I was reasonably impressed on my latest long haul flights with my DBML. I had something with a bit of flavour, including some kind of chicken curry, to replace the boiled salmon or boiled beef you usually get.
I confirm Smirnoff's remarks re the funny bread rolls which seem to be made of a mixture of flour (possibly gluten free) and water. Revolting. And there's no dietary reason why it would be any better for me than a wholemeal roll from the regular bread basket.
It's also true the DBML trays usually come without salad dressing for some reason, unless you have a very wide awake FA who spots it and nabs the dressing from someone else's tray.