Just got back from an extended tour of the Southwest. PHL to STL to ABQ on TWA, then ABQ to PHX on Amer. West, then PHX to DEN on United, and DEN to STL to PHL on TWA again. Chose TWA for the long hauls to get segments for the current promotion, and also to get the YUP fare, flying on full fare coach (on the client's nickel, of course).
Had the opportunity to eat dinner, breakfast and lunch in first class on TWA, and was extremely disappointed. Of course, the booze was free and liberal, but since I don't really drink on planes to cut down on jet lag, that didn't mean much.
Dinner was a choice of smoked salmon salad or chicken with ziti. I had the chicken with ziti, as the salad wouldn't have been enough. The chicken with ziti tasted like maybe it was made by Stouffers. It reminded me of the food you used to get in coach class 15 years ago (i.e., passable, considering where you are, but not something you would order out at a restaurant). Very meager accompaniements as well--weak salad and a bogus piece of dry cake for dessert. Very unsatisfying.
Breakfast was certainly not worthy of first class. A nice fruit plate (melon and pineapple), with raisin bran cereal and a bran muffin. that was it. Nothing hot available. Very disappointing.
Finally, lunch was a choice of a pastrami sandwich or a chicken caesar salad. I had the chicken caesar salad, which wasn't too bad, but accompanied by some mediocre pasta salad, and a cheap Mrs. Field's cookie.
I know that TWA has essentially eliminated real first class--why would you pay a real first class fare when you are guaranteed to sit in first with a full fare YUP coach ticket? However, if TWA hopes to keep even the business traveler who can use some miles and upgrade to first on another airline, they really have to improve the quality of the food, among other things.
I will say that the FA service was quite attentive, and that they were really nice people. Had the same flight crew from Den to STL and STL to PHL on the 14th, and they were terrific.
Well, that's my restaurant review for the day.

Djlawman

thank you for sharing.

I've had the same chicken and found it to be fine, and a reasonably big serving to boot. Also I like the fact that (at least in STL and TPA) they use walnuts as a garnish for the salad--they don't get soggy like croutons.

This is the reason why I no longer fly TWA. I've switched to Continental. Much better first class product, with leather seats and a bit of leg room. Also, the meals are much better and the FF partners far superior. I did have a good steak dinner on TWA a couple of months ago, from STL-DCA. I was amazed!