2018 Let's Eat - Polaris Business
Oct 29, 2018, 3:45 pm
#751
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
This has been my issue with UA for a loooong time. It appears whoever is putting together their cheese selection has NO IDEA (* see note) what cheese is supposed to taste like. There are GREAT cheeses available in this world but UA consistently offers the most awful ones.
* Note: either they have no idea, or their budget is limited to $0.37/person.
* Note: either they have no idea, or their budget is limited to $0.37/person.
Oct 29, 2018, 4:08 pm
#752
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 132
This has been my issue with UA for a loooong time. It appears whoever is putting together their cheese selection has NO IDEA (* see note) what cheese is supposed to taste like. There are GREAT cheeses available in this world but UA consistently offers the most awful ones.
* Note: either they have no idea, or their budget is limited to $0.37/person.
* Note: either they have no idea, or their budget is limited to $0.37/person.
Oct 29, 2018, 10:44 pm
#753
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
This has been my issue with UA for a loooong time. It appears whoever is putting together their cheese selection has NO IDEA (* see note) what cheese is supposed to taste like. There are GREAT cheeses available in this world but UA consistently offers the most awful ones.
* Note: either they have no idea, or their budget is limited to $0.37/person.
* Note: either they have no idea, or their budget is limited to $0.37/person.
It appears, no chance to move the needle.
Oct 29, 2018, 11:34 pm
#754
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
Indeed, I had written into CS at least 3 times a while ago. I specifically mentioned that out of places like ZRH it should be very easy to add some Switzerland-made varieties - as local products should be out of other EU stations.
It appears, no chance to move the needle.
It appears, no chance to move the needle.
Don’t even get me started on those awful packaged cream crackers ... miss that old cheese platter so much.
I’ve started really enjoying flying out of non-LH Skychef stations like SYD for a change of pace and choices. The cheeses were great. Oh, la vache!
Oct 30, 2018, 4:07 am
#755
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
So I learned that everything is sourced centrally by LH SkyChefs for all EU stations and moved to the local facility ... hence you see the exact same British packaged mid flight snack items across all stations; salad dressing; the same bulk-purchased cheese (that honestly tastes like it’s come from outside the EU from synthesized cow milk); likely the medium rare garlic bread; etc. In Y, all of the meals are centrally produced, frozen, and distributed among the stations and thawed / heated on board.
Don’t even get me started on those awful packaged cream crackers ... miss that old cheese platter so much.
I’ve started really enjoying flying out of non-LH Skychef stations like SYD for a change of pace and choices. The cheeses were great. Oh, la vache!
Oct 30, 2018, 4:48 am
#756
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,581
Given the pitiful wine selections UA offers, why would you expect anything different whn it comes to cheese? Despite the hype surrounding Polaris, UA's goal is to serve the cheapest food and drink they can get away with.
Last edited by halls120; Oct 30, 2018 at 6:06 am
Oct 30, 2018, 5:14 am
#757
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
I always think that the food is very good on Polaris. Looking at pictures and menu items from other airlines, I am mostly put off by the choices. Certainly not a fan of odd sounding ingredients and weird sounding flavor combinations.
Regarding the cheese, Ive have the largest and most enjoyable piece of parmigianno on my flight from MXP in Polaris that I’ve ever had.
Regarding the cheese, Ive have the largest and most enjoyable piece of parmigianno on my flight from MXP in Polaris that I’ve ever had.
Oct 30, 2018, 5:31 am
#758
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Oct 30, 2018, 7:50 am
#760
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Weird. That's exactly what I think about some of UA's food offerings, especially when they try to sweeten items which are meant to be savoury.
Oct 30, 2018, 9:25 am
#761
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
No accounting for taste, one way or another.
David
David
Oct 30, 2018, 4:46 pm
#762
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
10/25
UA 888 SFO-PEK 1045-1420 (+1) 777-300
PDB of OJ, water or Champagne in a real glass, nice touch there
Love it when a flight attendant gives you that automatic double (Buffalo Trace)
Prawns were decent (though a little sauce for them would be nice) and the salad was a salad
The Three Cup Chicken was awful. Tasted like a microwave Chinese meal. Actually probably worse, those usually have flavor.
I was happy with the cheese plate and the Port
Galley snacks
The congee ended up being really bland, even by congee standards, so I wished I'd gone with the Western option.
Overall, pretty meh food for my first Polaris flight.
PDB of OJ, water or Champagne in a real glass, nice touch there
Love it when a flight attendant gives you that automatic double (Buffalo Trace)
Prawns were decent (though a little sauce for them would be nice) and the salad was a salad
The Three Cup Chicken was awful. Tasted like a microwave Chinese meal. Actually probably worse, those usually have flavor.
I was happy with the cheese plate and the Port
Galley snacks
The congee ended up being really bland, even by congee standards, so I wished I'd gone with the Western option.
Overall, pretty meh food for my first Polaris flight.
Oct 30, 2018, 4:50 pm
#763
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
10/29
UA 142 NRT-DEN 1815-1340 787-800
PDB of Champagne, Water or OJ in real glasses again
Sadly they ran out of the IPA after I only had one
The Japanese meal was good but pretty hit or miss. Some bites were excellent and others awful
The entree though was really good. Though I find it odd the soup comes with the entree not the appetizer tray
Galley snack cart
The quiche was meh. Also who wants breakfast at noon local?
Slightly better food than my outbound, the Japanese meal helped
PDB of Champagne, Water or OJ in real glasses again
Sadly they ran out of the IPA after I only had one
The Japanese meal was good but pretty hit or miss. Some bites were excellent and others awful
The entree though was really good. Though I find it odd the soup comes with the entree not the appetizer tray
Galley snack cart
The quiche was meh. Also who wants breakfast at noon local?
Slightly better food than my outbound, the Japanese meal helped
Oct 31, 2018, 3:46 am
#764
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: UA GS, QF Plat, Marriot/SPG Plat, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 47
Oct 31, 2018, 9:19 am
#765
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAH/EWR-LGA/MIA
Programs: UA Global Services 3.2 MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 2,505