With the exception of Sing Air, I usually set my expectation for airline food and catering to be low. Personally I dont mind the cart as it helps to keep people in the aisle so as to not bump one of the FAs and have someone's chicken spill on me .

Cart or no card, I have seen even classy restraunts use carts to facilate serving. If by using a cart there is a cost savings to the airline that is in turn passed on to the consumer, Im all for that. I have found CO domestic first to be more impressive than NW and I avoid UA like the plague due to their attitude and unreliable service.

Its unfortunte that you had to pay F fare and not get the service you expect. I dont view NW domestic F as F, rather, enhanced coach for those paying the price in terms of fare, or business contributed. I set my expectation low and am surprised like recently when my dinner was served from the galley by person and not by cart. Another surprise was the other day the lead FA asked since I was in the last row of F and there were many gold & plat, since I was the only MM Plat would I like to pre-order anything.

Hope you find a NW or CO flight you like.