Book the Cook 2005 - 2019
 

Rather than start a new thread (and, this thread receives plenty of exposure), I thought this would be an appropriate place to ask for reviews on specific Book The Cook items.

Out of NRT recently, has anyone tried either:

• Asian style chicken noodle soup
  or
• Beef Sukiyaki with steamed rice

Thanks in advance for any comments or reviews.

Also, this may not necessarily be a good idea and I don't know if anyone has contemplated it, but has there been any consideration given to a thread (a la the F, C, Y menu threads) for Book The Cook reviews? Something along the lines of:

• Station
• Date
• Dish
• Scale (1 to 10)
• Brief review

I don't know whether or not it would be helpful, but it might be a good location to keep station, date, and choice-specific reviews.

Just an idle thought.

I dont know if this is the best place for this as the info will be lost in this lounge thread forever. A new thread makes it much more searchable in the future. That said, I had the Sukiyaki from NRT and thought it was quite good. Very good beef and wonderful flavor. Serving is small, but with all the other courses, it was way more than enough. I would order it again.

Sorry that I was not more clear, but what I actually meant was to start a brand new thread that deals only with Book The Cook issues, questions, reviews.

I was just trying to gauge whether there would be interest in such as thread similar to the F, C, & Y menu threads.

And, thank you for your comments on the Beef Sukiyaki. I am not overly concerned about the amount seeing as I will have already been fed on the SIN-NRT segment, will have all of the appetizers on the NRT-LAX segment, in addition to food in the NRT lounge if I am hungry at that point. The one thing that I am not worried about is going hungry.

I think it's a good idea to have seperate thread for BTC. I will post whatever I have in my previous flights that I have taken.

Thanks for turning this into a thread - I think that it will be helpful.

If the moderator wants to edit my post or set up a format similar to that in my original post, it might help things remain consistent and reader-friendly to follow.

Thanks again.

SQ 12 NRT-LAX Sep
 

CATER FOR DINNER : NRT-LAX
1. BBSKY - BEEF SUKIYAKI
2. BCKND - CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
3. BFCKK - FRIED CHICKEN KARAAGE
4. BLSTR - LOBSTER THERMIDOR AND PILAFF RICE
5. BNGRS - NIGIRI SUSHI
6. BPFSB - PAN FRIED SEABASS WRAPPED WITH POTATO
7. BRBMB - ROAST BEEF AND MUSTARD BAGUETTES
8. BRGHM - ROASTED GAME HEN
9. BRLYH - RACK OF LAMB WITH YOGHURT SAUCE
10. BSMFY - SIMMERED FISH WITH GRATED YAM SAUCE
11. BSSBM - SEARED SEABREAM
12. BVLFT - VEAL LOIN WITH FETTUCCINE

CATER FOR BREAKFAST : NRT-LAX
NO ITEMS OFFERED

Comment: Beef sukiyaki was great. I took the pic but have to locate it to post. Not too much. The beef was pretty tender. And yes the whole meal was tasty.

Ex-NRT, I have tried rack of lamb. I like it, but I am not fond of the yoghurt sauce. Prefer add my own chilli sauce. :D Have tried lobster as well, but don't know exactly what good lobster thermidor is. Thus can not comment on that.

Chicken noodle soup is certainly just a noodle soup. So it's not really a good option for dinner, unless you are not hungry at all. But certainly after lunch from SIN-NRT, I do want something more than just noodle soup for the dinner. I like the noodle sooup for the meals before landing at LAX.

Two BTCs that I have tried and not to my taste, are #6 and #10. A bit strange for me.

Thank you very much for your comments, and if you do find the picture, please do post it.

I have had the Roasted Game Hen ex Nrt and didn't really enjoy it. The balsamic sauce it was served with was quite strong for me. The portion was rather petite as well. I recently had the lobster thermidore out of SIN, again, and it was excellent as always!!

SQ 12 NRT-LAX Sep
 

Here is the link to my pics of SQ 12 NRT-LAX Sep 2005 . I realized that I have not posted any of my photos after my last SIN DO-lite end of Aug. I remembered Paffendorf and others commented on too many "food" photos in my previous DO-lite pics. :p :D
Here you go, dsimon, you have the pic of beef sukiyaki. Different presentation than the one I had previously.

SQ 11 LAX-NRT Sep '05 - Lunch - BTC Lobster Thermidor - large, firm, moist, delicious. Same flight, Light Meal - BTC Veal Chop - moist and soft - excellent.

True, the veal chop is great. I did BTC Veal Chop for lunch, and crabmeat noodle soup for light meal last August for LAX-SIN. And NRT-SIN, I did not order BTC, and the baked boisin marinated chicken in hoba leaf was a bit strange for me. Here are the pics for SQ 11 LAX-NRT-SIN Aug 2005 .

IIRC, the picture you took was probably the reason I selected the veal. :D

CGK, thank you for posting the picture(s).

You are very welcome. My pleasure to be able to help. :)

Sq 318 Sin - Lhr Btc
 

SQ 0318 P SIN-LHR

---------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY : BOOK THE COOK -COMMENTS

CATER FOR BREAKFAST : SIN-LHR
1. BFBKT - FISHBALL KWAY TEOW
2. BFPRM - FISH PORRIDGE
3. BNSBY - NASI BIRYANI
4. BNSLM - NASI LEMAK
5. BYPMF - YU PIAN MI FEN

CATER FOR LUNCH : SIN-LHR
6. BCKCR - CHICKEN CURRY
7. BCKRM - CHICKEN RICE
8. BCLBZ - CHILEAN BASS AND ZUCCHINI PASTA
9. BCRFB - CURRY FISH BALLS
10. BDWYR - DUCK WITH YAM RICE
11. BERES - EIGHT OZ RIB EYE STEAK
12. BFBKT - FISHBALL KWAY TEOW
13. BFPRM - FISH PORRIDGE
14. BFRCB - FREE RANGE CHICKEN BREAST
15. BFSCK - FISH SOUFFLE AND SPICY MINCED CHICKEN
16. BKYKS - KYO KAISEKI
17. BLKSA - LAKSA
18. BLSTM - LOBSTER THERMIDOR
19. BNSBY - NASI BIRYANI
20. BNSLM - NASI LEMAK
21. BPPSF - PAPPARDELLE WITH SEAFOOD
22. BRRLM - ROAST RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT JUS
23. BRVGT - ROASTED VEGETABLES
24. BSSMS - SEARED SALMON
25. BVLVC - VEAL LOIN N VEAL CHEEK
26. BYPMF - YU PIAN MI FEN


Note: SQFAN, is this the flight you will be on?

Sq 320 Sin - Lhr
 

Flight Services Available On Sq 0320 P Sin-lhr

---------------------------------------------------------------
Category : Book The Cook -comments

Cater For Lunch : Sin-lhr
1. Bckcr - Chicken Curry
2. Bckrm - Chicken Rice
3. Bclbz - Chilean Bass And Zucchini Pasta
4. Bcrfb - Curry Fish Balls
5. Bdwyr - Duck With Yam Rice
6. Beres - Eight Oz Rib Eye Steak
7. Bfbkt - Fishball Kway Teow
8. Bfprm - Fish Porridge
9. Bfrcb - Free Range Chicken Breast
10. Bfsck - Fish Souffle And Spicy Minced Chicken
11. Bkyks - Kyo Kaiseki
12. Blksa - Laksa
13. Blstm - Lobster Thermidor
14. Bnsby - Nasi Biryani
15. Bnslm - Nasi Lemak
16. Bppsf - Pappardelle With Seafood
17. Brrlm - Roast Rack Of Lamb With Mint Jus
18. Brvgt - Roasted Vegetables
19. Bssms - Seared Salmon
20. Bvlvc - Veal Loin N Veal Cheek
21. Bypmf - Yu Pian Mi Fen


Cater For Dinner : Sin-lhr
22. Bckcr - Chicken Curry
23. Bckrm - Chicken Rice
24. Bclbz - Chilean Bass And Zucchini Pasta
25. Bcrfb - Curry Fish Balls
26. Bdwyr - Duck With Yam Rice
27. Beres - Eight Oz Rib Eye Steak
28. Bfbkt - Fishball Kway Teow
29. Bfprm - Fish Porridge
30. Bfrcb - Free Range Chicken Breast
31. Bfsck - Fish Souffle And Spicy Minced Chicken
32. Bkyks - Kyo Kaiseki
33. Blksa - Laksa
34. Blstm - Lobster Thermidor
35. Bnsby - Nasi Biryani
36. Bnslm - Nasi Lemak
37. Bppsf - Pappardelle With Seafood
38. Brrlm - Roast Rack Of Lamb With Mint Jus
39. Brvgt - Roasted Vegetables
40. Bssms - Seared Salmon
41. Bvlvc - Veal Loin N Veal Cheek
42. Bypmf - Yu Pian Mi Fen

So far, I only have tried these:

BCKCR - CHICKEN CURRY
Good. Like to have this for breakfast or lunch.

BCKRM - CHICKEN RICE
Good, but hit and miss. My last one was without soup, and the presentation was less elaborate.

BDWYR - DUCK WITH YAM RICE
Hmm not to my liking. A bit strange for me.

BFPRM - FISH PORRIDGE
This one sometimes appeared in the menu for breakfast or refreshment.

BKYKS - KYO KAISEKI
Always available on SIN-NRT-SIN and LAX-NRT-LAX. Have to see the menu closely to what I eat. And that's the problem when ordering this BTC to other than NRT destination. No list of the food served. And yes, you can order Japanese meal ex BKK.

BLSTM - LOBSTER THERMIDOR
I think this one has a great review from FTers. But I really don't know how the excellent LT should be. For me it's too salty sometimes, and the sauce is too rich. But I prefer the LT with asparagus than the other from different station.

BNSBY - NASI BIRYANI
Love this for breakfast or lunch.

BNSLM - NASI LEMAK
Same for this. Love it. One time had this for breakfast before landing at LHR around 4am. The other pax looked at me strangely for having rice for my breakfast. But it's lunch time in Singapore, so it's perfect for my jetlag.

BPPSF - PAPPARDELLE WITH SEAFOOD
Strange for me. And just once ordered this.

BRRLM - ROAST RACK OF LAMB WITH MINT JUS
Always love lamb. And yes, like it. Ex SIN will be served with potato au gratin and mesclun salad. So, double salad for the meals. But it's not a good idea to order this when the route is still using plastic knife. Difficult to cut.

BSSMS - SEARED SALMON
If you like salmon, you will be fine with this. I tried once only because my AC flight LAX-YVR always had the salmon as one of the option.

I had this on my last SIN-HKG flight, and thought it was quite good. :)

I'm having the chicken curry day after tomorrow after hearing good things about it, and will report back.

As I mentioned to you long time ago, I am not food adventurous. Thus, I am biased in this area. :D

And don't forget Barramundi BTC ex-SYD. It's good in my opinion.

Sq 220 Syd - Sin J
 

Flight Services Available On Sq 0220 J Syd-sin

---------------------------------------------------------------
Category : Book The Cook -comments

Cater For Breakfast : Syd-sin
No Items Offered

Cater For Light Meal : Syd-sin
1. Bbrmj - Barramundi And Jasmine Rice
2. Bckrm - Chicken Rice
3. Bgbgp - Grill Beef In Green Peppercorn Sauce
4. Bilcp - Indian Lamb Shank Curry And Pilaff Rice
5. Brckm - Roast Chicken In Wild Mushroom Cream
6. Brdpr - Roast Duck With Plum Sauce And Rice
7. Bsftm - Seafood Thermidor
8. Bswlb - Salmon In Wild Lime Butter Sauce

Sq 1 Sfo - Hkg - Sin P
 

CATEGORY : BOOK THE COOK -COMMENTS

CATER FOR SUPPER : SFO-HKG
1. BBBGG - BEEF BULGOGI
2. BBRQN - BRAISED QUAIL AND NOODLES
3. BCKBC - CHICKEN BREAST STUFFED WITH CHORIZO
4. BFRES - 5 OZ RIB EYE STEAK
5. BJBSL - JUMBO SCALLOPS
6. BLSTM - LOBSTER THERMIDOR
7. BNGRS - NIGIRI SUSHI
8. BRCCK - RED CURRY CHICKEN
9. BRCLB - ROASTED CHILEAN BASS
10. BSFRN - SEAFOOD RICE NOODLE SOUP
11. BSSHM - STEAMED SOLE WRAPPED IN HAM
12. BVCWM - VEAL CHOP SAUTEED WITH WILD MUSHROOM

CATER FOR BREAKFAST : SFO-HKG
NO ITEMS OFFERED

CATER FOR BRUNCH : HKG-SIN
13. BBABM - ABALONE WITH MUSHROOM
14. BBRCL - BRAISED CHILEAN BASS
15. BBRLH - BRAISED LO HON MIXED VEGETABLES
16. BCKBH - CHICKEN STUFFED WITH CHEESE AND HERBS
17. BGCCK - GREEN CURRY CHICKEN
18. BGSMM - GRILLED SALMON WITH BRAISED GREEN PEAS
19. BGVJM - GRILLED VEAL WITH JUS
20. BLSTP - LOBSTER THERMIDOR AND MASHED POTATOES
21. BLSWS - LOBSTER WANTON SOUP
22. BNGRS - NIGIRI SUSHI
23. BPBCR - PORTUGUESE BEEF CURRY
24. BRGRM - ROASTED GOOSE RICE
25. BSDBR - SOUR DOUGH BREAD WITH CRUMBED CHICKEN

I have tried BRAISED QUAIL AND NOODLES, and I think it's great. And I heard from another FTer that JUMBO SCALLOPS was excellent on his flight in Oct. ;) LOBSTER WANTON SOUP is also great, but sometimes it's available in the menu as well.

Had the chicken curry recently -- it was very good.

Thanks--good to hear. :)

I've had the Chicken Curry Peranakan-style too, and I liked it quite a bit. It's spicy, though. Be warned.

Thanks for the warning, but I don't think spiciness will be a major issue for me. :D

I know you won't... ;) not like the guy in black shirt when we had dinner at that Peranakan restaurant.. :D Anyway, so how was your chicken curry?

Hi CGK. The chicken curry was good. Here's the review as promised:

• Flight: SQ219 SIN-SYD
• Class: C
• Date: 18 November 2005
• Dish: Chicken curry Peranakan style with bread rolls (One of the BTC "Singapore specialities")
• Scale (1 to 10): 8
• Brief review: The curry was quite good, served hot in a bowl--several chunks of chicken and potatoes, accompanied by steamed rice. I'd call the gravy mild to medium spicy and would have preferred it spicier, but that's according to my tastebuds, of course. :) I wasn't offered any bread rolls aside from the ones normally offered with the starter, but then again, after enjoying the laksa for breakfast at the SKL, I didn't miss them (and am sure I would have received bread if I had asked). The portion is quite generous. Recommended.

Bump. No one else doing BTC these days? :D ;)

Any recommendations ex-JFK & ex-LHR? :)

Ex-LHR and in Raffles: NOT the seafood thermidor, unless you like lots of the creamy sauce served with the dish. I found the sauce too cloying. :p

Completely agree with jjpb3 on NOT to have the Lobster Thermidor. :td: My last encounter with at ex LHR was a creamy cheesy sauce ontop of lobster pieces and the accompanying asparagus was off. :td: :td: :td:

On a more positive note :

I had 'fried fillet of monkfish in baked beetroot & horseradish butter, potato and celeriac mash' on my ex LHR trip in late Nov 05. Let me describe it:-

The monkfish portion was the size just nice (fist size), moist and succulent. The flavours of baked beetroot & horseradish butter nicely complemented the rich potato and celeriac mash. Surprisingly to me, from the presentation, I thought it was potato wedges but actually a mash shaped into potato wedges. Very nice indeed; presentation wise and complementary mixture of flavours. Rated 9/10. ^ :-:

Anyone have a list for F Class Book the Cook Option for SQ322 SIN-LHR? I'll be on this flight in February.

You'll be spoiled for choice. :D
Here is the link for SQ website.

You can always request for their tiny A6 booklet size brochure listing all the BTC options from the different SQ stations. Comes with nice pictures too. ^

I'll be having Thai Curry Fish Balls Stuffed With Prawns, Served with Pork next weekend. That certainly sounds good, but is it really good?

Loony

Yup, had that on SQ318 SIN-LHR F.

Portion size for the 'Thai Curry Fish Balls Stuffed With Prawns, Served with Pork' is really huge, considering you have all the rest before the main course. The fish ball comes in a bowl with curry of course. Then on another plate is the stir fried pork with rice.

My advice is to skip the other courses prior to this one, obviously not the satay :D ....unless you're really hungry.

Is it really nice? Well, one man's meat another man's poison... Personally, I gave it 7/10.

Nice pictures indeed, but from my last experience they can differ quite a bit from the real thing. Specifically the Gyu-Don I had on yesterdays flight SIN-FRA had nothing to do with the picture and turned out as just an absolutely undefinable and tasteless sauce with some rice. Simply awful!

I'm doing FRA-JFK next monday in Ruffles. The online menu didnt show much that sent me lusting for it, but then, I have no idea what the meal menu on the flight shows either. Does anyone have either the meny or any comment on the BTC choices?

-A

Check out the SQ C menu thread

I did, the closest I found was JFK-FRA, and I'm going *to* the colonies :)

I have learnt to be very suspicious of any beef items on any airline menus. :D
I try not to order them as they are usually Beef a la Rubber in reality.
In case I have missed it: no airlines have yet brought Kobe beef onto their F menus, right?