Very few U.S. airline FAs serve with any real style because "our primary concern is your safety [and most of us could care less about anything else]."

So cart vs. hand delivered makes little difference. All the clomping back and forth simply emphasizes the lack of finesse. The service is never going to compare to the service in a fine dining restaurant whether or not the carts have cloths on them. So let's just concentrate on food quality. I think the issue of service style is a lost cause.

I suspect that deep down in the subconscious for many (and not so deep for others) resides resentment at the idea of playing the role of "servant" to the passenger upper crust.