The one and only time I had the lucky op-up TATL, they served (among other things) braised short ribs. They came out fantastic. I was very surprised. I've often thought that food like the braised shirt ribs which can be cooked in a crock pot are the way to go with airline foods. You know how some foods taste better as leftovers? Go with those dishes.

I've also been thinking lately that sous vide cooking would be a perfect fit for airline food. If I can cook a perfect medium rare steak using warm water, a cooler, and some ziplock bags, I'm sure an airline like Delta could do it in-flight with real water baths.

Well, I have dined at one of her restaurants—Sra. Martinez in Miami—and thoroughly enjoyed the food and service. Rated 25/30 ("very good to excellent") by Zagat. Perhaps Delta's BusinessElite meals sometimes leave something to be desired (I can't comment on the pasta dishes) and by association detract from Bernstein's reputation. But to dismiss her as "a complete joke" is, in my opinion, over the top.

I agree! I'm not even a fan of beef, but the braised short ribs were the tastiest entree I've had on BE. I only had them because I'd had everything else over and over, but was pleasantly surprised.

Michelle Bernstein
 

I can't say anyhing about her place in Miami, but I can say that her place in Palm Beach consistantly gets mediocre reviews. But I do enjoy her TV show: Check Please.

Business class food can be done well; recently our flight on Lufthansa to Frankfurt had a fabulous menu designed by an Austrian chef.

I still miss the filets that TWA use to serve in coach on the hourly flights from ORD to LGA! I am really dating myself.

There was quite a bit of form letter in that reply. The taste testing part was new, but the rest was a lot of cut and paste.

Coincidentally, Sra. Martinez just closed on Friday.

I distinctly remember flying Delta from LAX-IAH in a newer 767 in December of 1989.

Watched my first ever movie on a flight (Turner and Hooch) and was fed NY Strip, baked potato and salad.
All of this in lowly coach. Flying was so fun back in then.

I was heading home for the holidays during my first year at USC.

Agreed, the braised short ribs are probably the only BE entree I've had that's a winner - unfortunately the few times I've had them the sides were a fail. That's typical of her dishes in BE, there's almost always one component that's inedible.

IMO LH offers consistently very good J catering. They keep a constant rotation going and I'm rarely disappointed with the food. They're using the same ovens and catering options as DL... I'd like to know spend per head on J catering across different airlines, my guess is DL would be down towards the bottom of the list.

The website looks like they are still taking reservations but the news obviously tells a different story.

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/feat..._close_sr.html

A visual example of DXB-ATL food. Now, I love a good, rear steak, but this one was actually still cool inside. A classic "steak 101" mistake: seared while very cold and not rested at all.

http://i1261.photobucket.com/albums/...0/DL_Steak.png

That actually looks pretty good. I do, however, prefer my steak to be spanked on each side and put on a plate (quite rare).

The sea bass dish has been okay, but the rest of the BE menu is only fit for correctional facilities. Also, just because you CAN make "cream of anything soup" doesn't mean you should. Cream of onion? Cream of beet? Really!?!?

True but I still view the response as someone who tried to address my concerns. The pesos won't get me on a shuttle to SLC but that was not my goal.

has anyone else seen the new lean cuisine commercials, here?

http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7nIt/lean-cui...elle-bernstein

i've not enjoyed here meals on the few occasions while in BE, but this can't be great for her to be associated to LC and doing the menus on Delta's premium cabins (albeit just LatAm now).

I spotted Michelle at LGA terminal C the morning of May 18th. She was not near a gate so I'm not sure where she was going. It is good to see she flies Delta. She looks good in person.