OK, color me skeptical about pretty much anything USdbaAA has said or done since the takeover. But, I gave them props on my recent LAX-LHR flight and have to give them major props on the new JFK Flagship First Dining Room. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.
After dinner Monday night at the LAX QF First Class Lounge, I slept pretty much all the way from LAX to JFK and arrived at the FL just after 5:30am. I had 3 hours before my JFK-YUL Eagle flight so I decided to check out the Flagship First Dining room and have breakfast before showering.
The hostess counter is right inside the front door. And don't even try to get in without an invitation card from one of the front check-in AAngels.
Very attractive but small bar, lounge area and dining room.
Very nice Breakfast menu with lots of nice sounding options.
Excellent and attentive service with an offer of still or sparking bottled water.
I started with the Seasonal Fruit Kebabs with a nice honey and ginger lime sauce.
And then the Eggs Benedict.
Which looked and tasted great!
What a great first impression, but at 5:30am the place was dead and I was to the only customer. Let's see how they do at a more normal traffic time. And so I was back yesterday afternoon at around 3pm. Major traffic jam at main check-in but after a few minutes wait, I had my "permission slip" for First Dining.
What a mob scene in the main part of the First Class Lounge. Yikes.
But beyond in Flagship First Dining, a lovely oasis of calm. Pretty funny watching hostess Adama deny wave after wave of non-international/transcon First passengers. Talk about a tough job.
First order of business was a drink. Nothing amazing on the wine list although there were some nice offerings but way, way better than the pathetic inflight F wine list. The Specialty Cocktail list looked interesting.
Up first was the Gin Basil Lemonade. Delicious.
The All Day Dining Menu. Wow, lots of interesting looking options.
Service this afternoon was simply wonderful and perfectly paced, from my server Scott and Javier. As soon as I sat down, I was offered my choice of still or sparkling water.
The single window seats are great for plane-spotting.
For my starter, I chose the Basil infused compressed watermelon, with whipped feta and smoked onion crumble. It was fabulous.
I went with the Olive oil poached loch duart salmon with cauliflower risotto, wild mushroom ragout and spring broth.
Wow.
And with the broth. OMG, this was spectacular. And the Livia Felluga Pinot Grigio was a lovely accompaniment.
Also tried the Paring Rosé of Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills but I preferred the Livia Felluga.
Next, I moved over the bar where I could re-charge my iPhone. Also, where bartender Karen convinced me to try the Spiced Tequila.
And the dessert menu...
My caramelized apple tart tatin was amazing.
What a great experience. Had to pinch myself to think that this is even remotely a part of American Airlines. A great way to dine preflight. If you have to the time, this is a must as you'll still suffer the same marginal food and horrid wines in the air.