Weekend in London and Budapest via British Airways First
Jan 6, 2023, 6:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Good report! Read all on your website and finished today morning.
Why you modified DFW_CK face to semi Freddie Krueger at the LHR-BUD exit row picture when every other picture including close face ones are without modifying? Next season "Botched"?
Why you modified DFW_CK face to semi Freddie Krueger at the LHR-BUD exit row picture when every other picture including close face ones are without modifying? Next season "Botched"?
Jan 7, 2023, 9:43 am
#17
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Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Jan 7, 2023, 10:22 am
#18
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Dinner at Michelin 3 Star Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Dinner tonight in London was at Michelin 3 Star restaurant Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, located in our hotel. It’s a gorgeous restaurant with some of the finest service I have ever experienced. What a delight to spend time with the mostly Italian waitstaff. Truly 3 stars. But the food? Not so much. My 7 course tasting menu wound up being more like 11 or 12 courses. Food was generally very good, just not amazing and indeed there were some misses tonight. Apparently, I’m not a big venison or raw prawn fan. The wine pairing was outstanding and generous… far better and more generous than the insulting wine pairing at @lebernardinny in New York last month.
Our amuse bouche platter was really tasty.
Tonight's Taste of Autumn menu...
Torbay Prawn, Peter John II - Devon. with radishes, finger lime and voatsiperifery pepper. Way too raw for me.
Jerusalem artichoke. Benoit Quiviger - Brittany. Guanciale, Buddha's hand, Kenyan Estate coffee. Excellent.
The foie gras was fabulous.
Creative butter duo.
Lobster... Phil Trebilock - Cornwall. Tandoori spices, carrot, citrus, coriander.
Turbot, The Duchess - Cornwall. Turnip, razor clams, chanterelles, yuku kosbo. This was actually a mistake serving but quite good.
Scallops with truffle. Too raw again and even the truffle supplement couldn't save this one
Venison Wellington. Rhug Estate Farms from North of Wales. Bispi cabbage, quince, grand veneur sauce. Meh, not for me.
Desserts were all outstanding. First was Vanilla Tahiti with corn, banana, mango and lime. Fabulous.
Now this was a most impressive wine tasting spread at a nearby table.
Signature Baba. Wonderful.
Instagram
Dinner tonight in London was at Michelin 3 Star restaurant Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, located in our hotel. It’s a gorgeous restaurant with some of the finest service I have ever experienced. What a delight to spend time with the mostly Italian waitstaff. Truly 3 stars. But the food? Not so much. My 7 course tasting menu wound up being more like 11 or 12 courses. Food was generally very good, just not amazing and indeed there were some misses tonight. Apparently, I’m not a big venison or raw prawn fan. The wine pairing was outstanding and generous… far better and more generous than the insulting wine pairing at @lebernardinny in New York last month.
Our amuse bouche platter was really tasty.
Tonight's Taste of Autumn menu...
Torbay Prawn, Peter John II - Devon. with radishes, finger lime and voatsiperifery pepper. Way too raw for me.
Jerusalem artichoke. Benoit Quiviger - Brittany. Guanciale, Buddha's hand, Kenyan Estate coffee. Excellent.
The foie gras was fabulous.
Creative butter duo.
Lobster... Phil Trebilock - Cornwall. Tandoori spices, carrot, citrus, coriander.
Turbot, The Duchess - Cornwall. Turnip, razor clams, chanterelles, yuku kosbo. This was actually a mistake serving but quite good.
Scallops with truffle. Too raw again and even the truffle supplement couldn't save this one
Venison Wellington. Rhug Estate Farms from North of Wales. Bispi cabbage, quince, grand veneur sauce. Meh, not for me.
Desserts were all outstanding. First was Vanilla Tahiti with corn, banana, mango and lime. Fabulous.
Now this was a most impressive wine tasting spread at a nearby table.
Signature Baba. Wonderful.
Jan 7, 2023, 10:22 am
#19
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,603
BA Economy to Budapest.
This morning we’re off for a day in Budapest, the gorgeous Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Christmas markets and another Michelin star dinner at Borkonyha. European domestic Business Class is a joke with Economy seating and legroom... and an open middle to make you feel better about overpaying for an Economy seat. Since our One World Emerald status got us most of the Business Class perks anyway, like BA First check-in, security, lounge access and priority boarding, we opted to just use some useless Avios and get more leg room in an Exit row.
Yikes on the BA breakfast pancakes.
Exit row Economy, more legroom than in BA's fake Business Class.
Welcome to rainy Budapest.
Instragram
This morning we’re off for a day in Budapest, the gorgeous Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Christmas markets and another Michelin star dinner at Borkonyha. European domestic Business Class is a joke with Economy seating and legroom... and an open middle to make you feel better about overpaying for an Economy seat. Since our One World Emerald status got us most of the Business Class perks anyway, like BA First check-in, security, lounge access and priority boarding, we opted to just use some useless Avios and get more leg room in an Exit row.
Yikes on the BA breakfast pancakes.
Exit row Economy, more legroom than in BA's fake Business Class.
Welcome to rainy Budapest.
Instragram
Jan 7, 2023, 10:23 am
#20
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Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel - Budapest
The Four Seasons Gresham Palace is a gorgeous hotel on Danube. It features a spectacular lobby with stunning glass ceilings and massive beautiful chandelier.
After we checked in, we headed down for lunch at the hotel's Kollasz Brasserie and Grill.
My French Onion soup was excellent.
My Marseille Sea Bass was exceptional.
Later that afternoon, pre-dinner drinks in the beautiful lobby bar.
Instagram
The Four Seasons Gresham Palace is a gorgeous hotel on Danube. It features a spectacular lobby with stunning glass ceilings and massive beautiful chandelier.
After we checked in, we headed down for lunch at the hotel's Kollasz Brasserie and Grill.
My French Onion soup was excellent.
My Marseille Sea Bass was exceptional.
Later that afternoon, pre-dinner drinks in the beautiful lobby bar.
Last edited by SFO777; Jan 8, 2023 at 10:11 am
Jan 7, 2023, 12:55 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: ORD
Posts: 155
Jan 7, 2023, 4:59 pm
#24
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Jan 8, 2023, 10:06 am
#25
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Tour of Budapest
The hotel concierge arrange great tour guide for a 3 hour walking tour of the city.
Wonderful Christmas markets...
Instagram
.
After a nap back at the hotel, we headed out into the rain for a 5 minute walk to Michelin 1 star Borkonyha.
Michelin 1 Star Borkonyha - Budapest
What a wonderful restaurant featuring fabulous food, excellent Hungarian and outstanding service.
My fois gras was to die for.
Delicious angus beef short rib.
Fabulous sturgeon.
And amazing desserts.
What a wonderful treat to dine at Borkonyha.
My instagram
.
The hotel concierge arrange great tour guide for a 3 hour walking tour of the city.
Wonderful Christmas markets...
After a nap back at the hotel, we headed out into the rain for a 5 minute walk to Michelin 1 star Borkonyha.
Michelin 1 Star Borkonyha - Budapest
What a wonderful restaurant featuring fabulous food, excellent Hungarian and outstanding service.
My fois gras was to die for.
Delicious angus beef short rib.
Fabulous sturgeon.
And amazing desserts.
What a wonderful treat to dine at Borkonyha.
My instagram
Jan 8, 2023, 10:07 am
#26
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Posts: 21,603
British Airways Club Europe to London
Time to head home after a wonderful but all too short day in London and day in Budapest. Today is the start of a BA mileage run to log my 4 paid BA segments to help me requalify for my BA Gold/One World Emerald status for next year. An 8am flight from an unfamiliar airport means an early taxi from the hotel to give ourselves plenty of time. Unlike British airports, BUD Terminal 2B is a very nice, spacious and well planned terminal.
After a brief delay for the counters to open at 6am, we headed for the Celebi Platinum Lounge that BA and others use for Business Class passengers.
DFW_CK clowning around...
Budapest BUD to London LHR
British Airways BA 865
A321
7:30am-9:00a
November 10, 2022Since we were in bulkhead seats, we decided to queue early so we made sure we had overhead space for our bags. Despite the Eurotrash “Business Class” Economy seats, our flight was only 2 hours and service was very good.
The Poached Egg Shakshouka was delicious.
Instagram
.
Time to head home after a wonderful but all too short day in London and day in Budapest. Today is the start of a BA mileage run to log my 4 paid BA segments to help me requalify for my BA Gold/One World Emerald status for next year. An 8am flight from an unfamiliar airport means an early taxi from the hotel to give ourselves plenty of time. Unlike British airports, BUD Terminal 2B is a very nice, spacious and well planned terminal.
After a brief delay for the counters to open at 6am, we headed for the Celebi Platinum Lounge that BA and others use for Business Class passengers.
DFW_CK clowning around...
Budapest BUD to London LHR
British Airways BA 865
A321
7:30am-9:00a
November 10, 2022Since we were in bulkhead seats, we decided to queue early so we made sure we had overhead space for our bags. Despite the Eurotrash “Business Class” Economy seats, our flight was only 2 hours and service was very good.
The Poached Egg Shakshouka was delicious.
Jan 8, 2023, 10:08 am
#27
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Posts: 21,603
British Airways A380 First Class from London to Chicago
Much better Heathrow experience today as we were fortunate to arrive at the B gates and thereby avoid the disaster that is T5 A gate connecting security. We were to only ones in line for B security and in the Galleries B Business Class Lounge shortly after.
Alcohol free Tanqueray??
London LHR to Chicago ORD
British Airways BA 295
A380-800
11:20a-2:15p
November 10, 2022
From there it was a 10 minute tunnel walk to the C gates and our A380. Pleasant BA First flight today although we departed 90 minutes late as BA and Heathrow don’t have enough de-icing trucks. Excellent all male inflight crew and the best BA meal ever, the wonderful chicken murgh malaiwala.
Yeah, cold Beef Welllington just doesn't work.
But, OMG... best BA meal ever, the wonderful chicken murgh malaiwala.
Instagram
.
Much better Heathrow experience today as we were fortunate to arrive at the B gates and thereby avoid the disaster that is T5 A gate connecting security. We were to only ones in line for B security and in the Galleries B Business Class Lounge shortly after.
Alcohol free Tanqueray??
London LHR to Chicago ORD
British Airways BA 295
A380-800
11:20a-2:15p
November 10, 2022
From there it was a 10 minute tunnel walk to the C gates and our A380. Pleasant BA First flight today although we departed 90 minutes late as BA and Heathrow don’t have enough de-icing trucks. Excellent all male inflight crew and the best BA meal ever, the wonderful chicken murgh malaiwala.
Yeah, cold Beef Welllington just doesn't work.
But, OMG... best BA meal ever, the wonderful chicken murgh malaiwala.
Jan 8, 2023, 10:09 am
#28
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,603
The last leg on this wonderful trip is American Airlines First Class back to Denver. Now that the inter-terminal train is working again, the train is a quick and easy way to get to Terminal 3.
I enjoy the Chicago AA Flagship Lounge, which is my favorite FL in the AA system.
Chicago ORD to Denver DEN
American AA 2771
737-800
7:16p-8:30p
December 10, 2022
The best part of tonight was an on time departure and early arrival in Denver.
Instagram
.
What a fun trip. Thanks for following along.
For an HD version and more pics, please visit SFO777.com
• American’s Excellent Flagship First Dining at DFW
• British Airways A380 First Class to London
• Lunch at Michelin 1 Star Trishna London
• The Connaught Hotel - Mayfair
• Dinner at Michelin 3 Star Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
• BA Economy to Budapest
• Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest
• Walking Tour of Budapest and Dinner at Michelin 1 Star Borkonyha Budapest
• British Airways Club Europe to London
• British Airways A380 First Class to Chicago
• American Flagship Lounge at ORD and American First Class to Denver
I enjoy the Chicago AA Flagship Lounge, which is my favorite FL in the AA system.
Chicago ORD to Denver DEN
American AA 2771
737-800
7:16p-8:30p
December 10, 2022
The best part of tonight was an on time departure and early arrival in Denver.
What a fun trip. Thanks for following along.
For an HD version and more pics, please visit SFO777.com
• American’s Excellent Flagship First Dining at DFW
• British Airways A380 First Class to London
• Lunch at Michelin 1 Star Trishna London
• The Connaught Hotel - Mayfair
• Dinner at Michelin 3 Star Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
• BA Economy to Budapest
• Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest
• Walking Tour of Budapest and Dinner at Michelin 1 Star Borkonyha Budapest
• British Airways Club Europe to London
• British Airways A380 First Class to Chicago
• American Flagship Lounge at ORD and American First Class to Denver
Jan 9, 2023, 6:59 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: Mucci (Scirocco Sash), BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 864
Great report as always - and I've also noticed an improvement in both food and service in Club Europe this year (with some exceptions as always), which seems to come out in your review above. I won't comment on the hard product ;-)