The beef (steak?) option - AC needs to improve on this
Oct 9, 2014, 4:51 pm
#16
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I have two higher end steakhouse owners as friends (one in Van and one in Scottsdale) and I've queried both over this in the past due to numerous debates with friends on how a steak should be served.
Both steakhouses state they serve a maximum of 10% steaks as rare with the same for well done. Medium rare accounts for >50% of ordered steaks.
Me? I'm rare/Chicago.
Both steakhouses state they serve a maximum of 10% steaks as rare with the same for well done. Medium rare accounts for >50% of ordered steaks.
Me? I'm rare/Chicago.
Oct 9, 2014, 5:26 pm
#18
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Oct 9, 2014, 6:35 pm
#19
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,501
I agree with Dorian here. I am myself a rare steak eater, the steak in the picture is actually overcooked for my taste. However, whenever I am in a public venue be it an event, air plane, or otherwise, I expect to receive a medium to medium well because that's what the masses prefer.
As with at a restaurant, its also easier for a FA to put it back in an over for a few minutes than to undo an over cooked steak. I was on a LAS-YUL flight once and got a hockey puck. Didn't say anything but the SD saw me trying to cut it without making progress. Unfortunately there were no other choices at that point.
Bottom line, since a good steak is almost impossible to serve to most people's liking on an airplane, maybe they should focus on other options that are more universal in terms of doneness.
Oct 9, 2014, 6:50 pm
#20
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I personally like fish and I hate chicken. Unfortunately most fish on Air Canada is even worse. Salmon or halibut get quite dry already if only slightly overcooked. Often salmon tastes like it's not quite fresh; the brownish fatty part deteriorates faster than the rest. Black cod is a good fish for planes because it's quite fatty and he does not easily feel dry. If it's available i go for it rather than beef. I have had pretty good black cod, I think out of YYC. But I also have had some that was not quite as fresh.
Oct 9, 2014, 6:52 pm
#21
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Not quite as good as Romers Burgers in Vancouver, but still something I would order time and time again.
Oct 9, 2014, 6:53 pm
#22
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Oct 9, 2014, 6:54 pm
#23
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Had outstanding and perfectly prepared beef only once - TLV-YYZ Sept 2013 (even the photo looks superb)
Twice since then - shoe leather and not cooked
To your point about other options:
The following main dishes were outstanding:
1. Grilled salmon, wild rice and asparagus, prepared perfectly and excellent flavor (TLV-YYZ Nov 2012 - first meal, not the second prior to landing)
2. Grilled salmon, veg & steamed rice - Sept 2014 YYZ-HND.
3. Chicken teriyaki (steamed rice and perfectly crisp grilled veg) -Sept 2014 HND-YYZ
Oct 9, 2014, 6:55 pm
#24
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Oct 9, 2014, 7:02 pm
#25
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
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I recall a really good lamb on AC YVR-SYD a few years back. Perfectly cooked medium rare. Maybe that was an anomaly.
As for burgers. I had one on KOA-LAX (really bad but wasn't expecting much) and ANZ YVR-AKL that was utterly forgettable.
Now... if we want to go there.. ANZ has the bacon roll for breakfast. Truly the most spectacular thing I've ever eaten on an airplane. Mmmmmmmmm warm buttered roll with crispy bacon. Onion jam and BBQ sauce on the side. Wow.... Thank you.
As for burgers. I had one on KOA-LAX (really bad but wasn't expecting much) and ANZ YVR-AKL that was utterly forgettable.
Now... if we want to go there.. ANZ has the bacon roll for breakfast. Truly the most spectacular thing I've ever eaten on an airplane. Mmmmmmmmm warm buttered roll with crispy bacon. Onion jam and BBQ sauce on the side. Wow.... Thank you.
Oct 9, 2014, 7:14 pm
#26
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Oct 9, 2014, 7:27 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2008
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I just had good lamb chops on AC SYD-YVR a few weeks back...so good I asked (and was granted) seconds...that's the only time I've enjoyed AC food enough to want more
Oct 9, 2014, 7:48 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2012
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I'm not surprised, given your username. 
But yeah, had lamb I think from ZRH-YYZ and it was deelish!
I'm a well-done kind of guy and when ordering red meat, I've asked the FAs to leave it in the oven for a few minutes more. Never been a problem. ^
But yeah, had lamb I think from ZRH-YYZ and it was deelish!
I'm a well-done kind of guy and when ordering red meat, I've asked the FAs to leave it in the oven for a few minutes more. Never been a problem. ^