I don't know about the other points, but this point seems strange. I suspect that there was a bad ISM who wasn't instructing the junior staff onboard of the correct precedures. I haven't been on any long haul flights that are not late night departures where there hasn't been a pre meal drinks service.
This has happened to all 3 of my CX251 HKG > LHR Flights in the past two months. It seems like a norm that if ISM chooses an express meal service, nuts will be there but not handed out.
I asked the cabin crew nicely and was given a couple as she said "we don't give them out anyway, so have as many as you want"