larryflyer

Sadly my experience/impressions were different (and coincidently I was in there last night also, at about 7.30 pm - were you there at the same time?!).

Lady on the main lounge desk was perfectly pleasant, but from there, it went downhill. The waitress who appeared about 5 minutes after I sat down offered me water (just water - no general expression such as "Can I get you something to drink, sir?"). So, I asked for an orange juice (and some water as well) which order was taken (I felt) slightly grudgingly. These were then brought to my table at least 5 (possibly 10) minutes later - although to be fair, the orange juice did taste like it was freshly-squeezed out of an orange (rather than freshly-squeezed out of a bottle), so the delay was perhaps not unreasonable.

I ordered the beetroot starter, then salad, no soup, and the cannelloni main course. All were quite palatable and nicely presented. At no point was I offered any bread (I heard guests on another table having to ask for bread to go with their soup) , although the table was laid with a bread plate and butter knife. After my salad arrived, I asked for some bread. This appeared (again, 5 minutes later) in the shape of one, rather dry bread roll, in a small serving dish. No choice of bread, and (I noticed after the waitress had vanished again) no butter anywhere in sight. I decided not to bother, and ate the dry bread roll (since I was actually quite hungry).

I had not been offered any wine, so when my salad arrived I spoke up. I was then asked if I wanted "red or white" (not offered a wine list, or given any recommendations based on my food selection). Slightly bemused, I said "white" and was then asked if the bottle already open (a Sancerre) would be acceptable. By this time, I just wanted to get on with my meal, so I said yes.

I did not order a desert (there was only one listed, which did not appeal) but I asked for some cheese - anticipating I would be brought a selection of cheese and crackers. I should have expected less by now! What arrived was a small china platter with (nicely-presented):
exactly two small, thin slices of identical cheese (cheddar, I think, but I confess I am not a connoisseur);
3 very ordinary small round crackers;
4 tiny slices of apple, in some kind of sticky sauce.

I think I saw 3 waitresses in all, but the one who served me most often (and failed to offer me any bread, or any wine) was distinctly surly. This came to a head when she came to clear the plate after I finished my main course. Because I was sat in a booth with my back to the wall, it was slightly awkward for her to reach across the table to take my plate. I did what I thought was natural and polite, and began lifting my plate to pass it to her. Wrong move - I got a snapped retort, something like "leave that". I did not immediately comprehend, and got another snap along the lines of "it's very heavy". I can't believe there was any genuine elf and safety issue - but the way she spoke to me made me feel like a chastened schoolboy.

On top of all that, I found the whole ambiance of the Concord Room in IAD not to my liking - it was generally quite dark, with harsh 'accent' lighting. If I have the opportunity of dining there again (unlikely, since I don't usually fly in FIRST), I may well decide to forgo the experience, and spend more time eating the snacks in the main lounge instead.