Do you remember that VT advert on TV where the steward asks 'Do you want another sausage?'
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Avanti West Coast First Class
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Well, I’ve had a fantastic day sampling Avanti First Class in it’s summer/autumn 2023 form…
1007 Birmingham New Street - Edinburgh 1418
The Pendolino was unrefurbished so gave me wonderful nostalgia of my many trips with Virgin Trains. I had my order for breakfast taken before we’d even left, and it arrived long before Sandwell & Dudley. Beautiful egg and HUGE amounts of toast on a separate plate to dip in the yolk. Black pudding of course, a West Coast tradition that the (IMO) inferior East Coast omits.
Cup of strong tea and glass of apple juice just as we arrived at Sandwell and Dudley. This was followed by more tea around about Crewe.
As we arrived at Wigan, those travelling beyond Preston were handed the menu so that we could decide what we wanted for lunch ahead of orders being taken after Preston. We were accidentally handed the weekend menu which doesn’t include the chicken chasseur, but the host confirmed it was an accident and that the chasseur was certainly available.
So arriving at around about Oxenholme, came a beautifully presented (and far more filling than Avanti’s previous offerings) chicken casserole which was a little heavy on the pepper but very tasty and filling. I only wish there had been some bread to dip in the rich sauce. I paired this with a mini vodka and two ginger ales. The service manager proudly declared to me, “It might take a little longer to cook as I want to do it properly in the oven. Some of my colleagues like to bung things in the microwave, but I’d rather take time to make sure the dish is good quality.” What an icon.
Dessert was unbelievably delicious. I’m not usually one for sweet things, and “raspberry tart” sounded unappealing, because in my experience tarts are often rather dry, especially the crust. Absolutely not, it was so moist I was left craving another.
I had another glass of apple juice and declined the kind offer of anything else, and soon we arrived into Edinburgh.
1652 Edinburgh - London Euston 2245
On return, I had a refurbished set and even as a hardcore fan of all things Virgin, I can confirm the refurbishment is really lovely.
I went for a milky coffee which arrived before Haymarket (these guys are quick since dropping carriages for SP), and opted to try the cauliflower and edamame salad; this I had again with a mini vodka and two ginger ales. Unfortunately, the salad was a bit sh!t, not gonna lie. Bland, small, uninspiring. I had a nice packet of popchips and another one of those glorious raspberry tarts with it though. I saw the cheese and tomato toasties being handed out and they were HUGE portions; I felt a bit wistful looking at them but I don’t like cheddar cheese so what can you do. I then was offered a nice Lily O’Brien chocolate which was pleasant enough.
Dinner for the Scotland-boarders was complete by Carlisle, another drinks run after - I had my third (and last, don’t worry) mini vodka of the day - this time with two cans of lemonade - and then wasn’t offered anything again until the next drinks run at Preston (I had a glass of apple juice)
By Wolverhampton, I was starving having only had that piddly cauliflower dish (and before Carlisle), so was happy when second food orders came. I had another chicken chasseur, with popchips and yet another raspberry tart, with a good cup of strong tea. And then another cup of tea leaving Birmingham New Street. And then ANOTHER cup of tea leaving Coventry.
And then, arriving into Milton Keynes - where we’re just pulling out of now, I was practically forced into having another raspberry tart “seeing as you like them so much”
So I had the fourth one of the day, and now I’m sitting back and relaxing for the last 45 minutes.
Oh. And these tickets were £7 Birmingham Edinburgh, £7 Edinburgh Stafford and £11 Stafford Euston (same train, split ticket) by the way Ridiculous value.
1007 Birmingham New Street - Edinburgh 1418
The Pendolino was unrefurbished so gave me wonderful nostalgia of my many trips with Virgin Trains. I had my order for breakfast taken before we’d even left, and it arrived long before Sandwell & Dudley. Beautiful egg and HUGE amounts of toast on a separate plate to dip in the yolk. Black pudding of course, a West Coast tradition that the (IMO) inferior East Coast omits.
Cup of strong tea and glass of apple juice just as we arrived at Sandwell and Dudley. This was followed by more tea around about Crewe.
As we arrived at Wigan, those travelling beyond Preston were handed the menu so that we could decide what we wanted for lunch ahead of orders being taken after Preston. We were accidentally handed the weekend menu which doesn’t include the chicken chasseur, but the host confirmed it was an accident and that the chasseur was certainly available.
So arriving at around about Oxenholme, came a beautifully presented (and far more filling than Avanti’s previous offerings) chicken casserole which was a little heavy on the pepper but very tasty and filling. I only wish there had been some bread to dip in the rich sauce. I paired this with a mini vodka and two ginger ales. The service manager proudly declared to me, “It might take a little longer to cook as I want to do it properly in the oven. Some of my colleagues like to bung things in the microwave, but I’d rather take time to make sure the dish is good quality.” What an icon.
Dessert was unbelievably delicious. I’m not usually one for sweet things, and “raspberry tart” sounded unappealing, because in my experience tarts are often rather dry, especially the crust. Absolutely not, it was so moist I was left craving another.
I had another glass of apple juice and declined the kind offer of anything else, and soon we arrived into Edinburgh.
1652 Edinburgh - London Euston 2245
On return, I had a refurbished set and even as a hardcore fan of all things Virgin, I can confirm the refurbishment is really lovely.
I went for a milky coffee which arrived before Haymarket (these guys are quick since dropping carriages for SP), and opted to try the cauliflower and edamame salad; this I had again with a mini vodka and two ginger ales. Unfortunately, the salad was a bit sh!t, not gonna lie. Bland, small, uninspiring. I had a nice packet of popchips and another one of those glorious raspberry tarts with it though. I saw the cheese and tomato toasties being handed out and they were HUGE portions; I felt a bit wistful looking at them but I don’t like cheddar cheese so what can you do. I then was offered a nice Lily O’Brien chocolate which was pleasant enough.
Dinner for the Scotland-boarders was complete by Carlisle, another drinks run after - I had my third (and last, don’t worry) mini vodka of the day - this time with two cans of lemonade - and then wasn’t offered anything again until the next drinks run at Preston (I had a glass of apple juice)
By Wolverhampton, I was starving having only had that piddly cauliflower dish (and before Carlisle), so was happy when second food orders came. I had another chicken chasseur, with popchips and yet another raspberry tart, with a good cup of strong tea. And then another cup of tea leaving Birmingham New Street. And then ANOTHER cup of tea leaving Coventry.
And then, arriving into Milton Keynes - where we’re just pulling out of now, I was practically forced into having another raspberry tart “seeing as you like them so much”
So I had the fourth one of the day, and now I’m sitting back and relaxing for the last 45 minutes.Oh. And these tickets were £7 Birmingham Edinburgh, £7 Edinburgh Stafford and £11 Stafford Euston (same train, split ticket) by the way
Ridiculous value.
Last edited:
dave87016
Established Member
Oh young man how I envy you - you received a first class service fit for a king , in all my travels never have I had such luck !!Well, I’ve had a fantastic day sampling Avanti First Class in it’s summer/autumn 2023 form…
1007 Birmingham New Street - Edinburgh 1418
The Pendolino was unrefurbished so gave me wonderful nostalgia of my many trips with Virgin Trains. I had my order for breakfast taken before we’d even left, and it arrived long before Sandwell & Dudley. Beautiful egg and HUGE amounts of toast on a separate plate to dip in the yolk. Black pudding of course, a West Coast tradition that the (IMO) inferior East Coast omits.
View attachment 142835
Cup of strong tea and glass of apple juice just as we arrived at Sandwell and Dudley. This was followed by more tea around about Crewe.
As we arrived at Wigan, those travelling beyond Preston were handed the menu so that we could decide what we wanted for lunch ahead of orders being taken after Preston. We were accidentally handed the weekend menu which doesn’t include the chicken chasseur, but the host confirmed it was an accident and that the chasseur was certainly available.
So arriving at around about Oxenholme, came a beautifully presented (and far more filling than Avanti’s previous offerings) chicken casserole which was a little heavy on the pepper but very tasty and filling. I only wish there had been some bread to dip in the rich sauce. I paired this with a mini vodka and two ginger ales. The service manager proudly declared to me, “It might take a little longer to cook as I want to do it properly in the oven. Some of my colleagues like to bung things in the microwave, but I’d rather take time to make sure the dish is good quality.” What an icon.
View attachment 142836
Dessert was unbelievably delicious. I’m not usually one for sweet things, and “raspberry tart” sounded unappealing, because in my experience tarts are often rather dry, especially the crust. Absolutely not, it was so moist I was left craving another.
I had another glass of apple juice and declined the kind offer of anything else, and soon we arrived into Edinburgh.
1652 Edinburgh - London Euston 2245
On return, I had a refurbished set and even as a hardcore fan of all things Virgin, I can confirm the refurbishment is really lovely.
View attachment 142837
I went for a milky coffee which arrived before Haymarket (these guys are quick since dropping carriages for SP), and opted to try the cauliflower and edamame salad; this I had again with a mini vodka and two ginger ales. Unfortunately, the salad was a bit sh!t, not gonna lie. Bland, small, uninspiring. I had a nice packet of popchips and another one of those glorious raspberry tarts with it though. I saw the cheese and tomato toasties being handed out and they were HUGE portions; I felt a bit wistful looking at them but I don’t like cheddar cheese so what can you do. I then was offered a nice Lily O’Brien chocolate which was pleasant enough.
View attachment 142838
Dinner for the Scotland-boarders was complete by Carlisle, another drinks run after - I had my third (and last, don’t worry) mini vodka of the day - this time with two cans of lemonade - and then wasn’t offered anything again until the next drinks run at Preston (I had a glass of apple juice)
By Wolverhampton, I was starving having only had that piddly cauliflower dish (and before Carlisle), so was happy when second food orders came. I had another chicken chasseur, with popchips and yet another raspberry tart, with a good cup of strong tea. And then another cup of tea leaving Birmingham New Street. And then ANOTHER cup of tea leaving Coventry.
And then, arriving into Milton Keynes - where we’re just pulling out of now, I was practically forced into having another raspberry tart “seeing as you like them so much”
View attachment 142839
Oh. And these tickets were £7 Birmingham Edinburgh, £7 Edinburgh Stafford and £11 Stafford Euston (same train, split ticket) by the way
I have to admit, for all of their faults, Avanti have really pulled it out of the bag this morning. One of the best first class journeys I’ve ever had.
07:25 off Lockerbie (10 mins late), train was absolutely dead. The first class host had laid out the cutlery at my seat (and no others, so had obviously checked the reservations). I was offered drinks and had my food order taken immediately upon departure.
2 minutes later I get my coffee and OJ, and Breakfast is out before Ecclefechan. The quality of the breakfast was excellent. Was finished well before Carlisle!
Since then (we’ve just left Warrington now running non-stop to Euston), there have been a good 4-5 drinks runs, I’ve not even been able to finish my coffee or juice before a refill.
Some of the most attentive service I’ve ever had. Very impressed.
07:25 off Lockerbie (10 mins late), train was absolutely dead. The first class host had laid out the cutlery at my seat (and no others, so had obviously checked the reservations). I was offered drinks and had my food order taken immediately upon departure.
2 minutes later I get my coffee and OJ, and Breakfast is out before Ecclefechan. The quality of the breakfast was excellent. Was finished well before Carlisle!
Since then (we’ve just left Warrington now running non-stop to Euston), there have been a good 4-5 drinks runs, I’ve not even been able to finish my coffee or juice before a refill.
Some of the most attentive service I’ve ever had. Very impressed.
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