abitwild

... silly me... it was a morning flight and breakfast time yesterday. Pie was mushroom and something this evening

Thumbs up from this northerner anyway

layz

The pig product is definitely nice. I was there on Friday and it was the mushroom pie then too (as I predicted, as I don't like cooked mushrooms it'll always be there when I travel ). I didn't notice any beef on the buffet but the new burger was nice.

abitwild

I'm pretty sure that the hot pie was labelled as mushroom and spinach.

BHDATC

Mushroom pie yesterday.

The new thick Christmas style ham is delicious. Worth a try.

mjh0

That looks like a significant improvement on the older burger product. I'd be inclined to give it a go.

I had something (Club sandwich, I think) with chips on a rare visit to the CCR earlier this year, and I'm guessing the chips are pre-prepared and blanched offsite, then cooked off in a combi-oven?

I found them unevenly crisped and a bit too "boiled potatoey" in the middle, sort of waxy, and a touch underdone, if you see what I mean. Not particularly nice.

Thinning the chips down a little will almost certainly improve how even they crisp and increase the level of done-ness in the centre.

Looks like my flying could be about to experience an up-tick following a change in the day job, so regular visits to the GF lounge may yet be in reach this year.

Thanks,
Mike

peck

Yes that's right I was in the there on Friday evening and had one. Pretty good it was too, I was highly confused!

Land-of-Miles

It looks like the pies are rotating periodically. Toms Pies also do steak pies so I hope they put in an appearance at some point. It would be good to have a pie watch thread here

corporate-wage-slave

Minor updates to post 1 to cover desserts and hot buffet alternatives.

For the benefit of Blindy, the waiter order desserts are:

Ice creams:
Chocolate Ice Cream
Vanilla Ice Cream
Mango & Lime Sorbet
Gin & Tonic Sorbet

aks120

I have just had the 'pleasure' of dinner in the Flounge tonight and I was disappointed. I tried the 'new and improved' burger and whilst it looked the part, it tasted very bland and slightly rubbery. The chips with it were cold!

I left most of that and thought I would try the buffet for research purposes. I personally think it looks like it is drifting back to the old days of slop - the dishes certainly look cheap canteen-like. HOwever, the chilli and rice was OK, the tangine looked bland but actually was actually the best tasting dish. I like the salad bar - a good variety and it looks very appetising.

I know folks critise a lot and I want to add some points I think would make it look more up-market and befitting for a First Lounge. Please do away with the current white serving plates and put nice rustic, traditional, attractive serving dishes out. It will make every dish look more individual rather than school canteen! The salad bar manages it so why cant the main hot plate?

The carrots veg plate is uninspiring - and only really goes with the bacon loin dish - how about some stir fry veg for a change? And finally - any chance of some cheese to go on the baked potatoes?

Anyway - the staff are friendly tonight, the champagne has come back to the cooler and the crisps have been replenished - time to sit in the comfy seats!

Regards aks120

apacuk

I have just had the most bizarre discussion with a BA manager in the GF T3 Lounge.

I arrived at 5:15 assuming there would be a hot buffet, as in T5, but there wasn't. So I asked said manager when would the hot food arrive, and during the course of the conversation she insisted that all the LHR GF Lounge offerings were consistent across terminals and that there was no hot food in T5 at 5:15 either, and that she worked there regularly and could assure me there was no possibility of any hot buffet in T5 before 5:30pm.

As a regular late afternoon visitor to GF T5 I know there *is* a hot buffet.

I suppose don't mind if there are different timings in T3 against T5, as long as it's made clear, but I do mind if the managers supposedly in charge don't seem to know what's going on, and insist they are correct regardless.

OK, I feel better now!

bafan

Not sure that a (limited) selection of ice cream or sorbet really classes as a choice of desserts...

TyneTraveller

Strange! I have a feeling the manager who you spoke to is perhaps getting confused with the GC food offerings. There is a gap in hot food buffet (with the exception of soup) between 15:00-18:00...give or take.

Not 100% sure of the exact up to date menus for either, but I'm sure T3 & T5 GF should offer the same. As for no hot food available at 5:15pm in FIRST; I think there should have been. My understanding is that the "all day dining" menu should be available at ALL TIMES between 12pm and 22:30pm, which includes hot food. Some items are table service and have to be ordered via the lounge hosts, but a hot buffet should still be available.

In the afternoons, sandwiches are available between 12:00-19:00, and afternoon tea available between 14:00 and 17:00.

Perhaps someone could confirm this for me?

corporate-wage-slave

Yes, that sounds right to me. T3 and T5 lounges are identical for both GC and Flounge in terms of food and timings. The one exception is that if it is quiet they do not put the hot buffet out in Flounge simply because that would be a big waste of food. I've been there 2 hours and been the only user of Flounge. So as you indicate the lounge hosts can get you hot food upon request, in addition to the lounge request menu. This works better in mornings in that you get a made to order breakfast, but I can see that mid afternoon it's a bit trickier. The menu in post 1 should be useful in guiding people into what to consider ordering.

There is one other factor: a lot of occasional T3 Gold users turn into GC by accident, if it is quiet there they think they are in Flounge and are disappointed by what food option are on display. GC in T3 looks quite fresh in terms of décor, so I can see how it happens. Staff tell me a lot of Goldies do this.....

TyneTraveller

Thanks for the clarification c-w-s.

Ah, I have only been to T3 GC & Flounge once, so limited knowledge of layout etc. Hopefully people aren't too disheartened if this does happen, as the better option still awaits.

Seems sound common sense to me during quiet spells as a food cost control measure, as long as discreet circulation is given to all customers that the buffet food offer is still available on request.

stu1985

Chicken tagine is decidedly ropey this evening.....chicken tastes almost plastic. The chilli con carne made up for it though!