After getting the corporate answer from OP (mealtime ends at 7 pm) and some discouraging news at the PC ("cold plate, probably some cheese") my worst fears were unfounded. After having the crabcakes at Gallagher's (still looking for other, reasonable, suggestions at EWR) boarded for a 19:40 departure that got off the ground at 20:10.

Not to worry. In F got the asparagus soup and choice of chicken salad or lasagna. Took the latter, with the ricotta cheese pretty good, the tomato sauce heavy on the oregano, and the pasta dry. Still, with a couple of glasses of chardonnay, it went down pretty well.

Still faced with the question: how do you really know if you are going to get a real meal or cheese, crackers and grapes when your flight is borderline??