London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[trainophile]

Roast veg under the chicken - peppers and onions. There was enough of the veg but the potato was a bit thin on the ground. It wasn't a huge portion but it was more filling that some of the previous attempts over the last few months.

Another combination that there are several people who would not like it. It's beetroot all over again :roll: .

What's wrong with a spoonful of frozen (and cooked!) peas? Should be easy enough to sling in a giant pan and boil up. (Waits for replies from people who can't stand peas... ).

 

[Chrism20]

Another combination that there are several people who would not like it. It's beetroot all over again :roll: .

What's wrong with a spoonful of frozen (and cooked!) peas? Should be easy enough to sling in a giant pan and boil up. (Waits for replies from people who can't stand peas... ).

I was a bit surprised myself to be honest as I expected winter veg - i.e. any two of broccoli/carrots/cauliflower/peas something like that but it did work.

 

[yorksrob]

Roast veg under the chicken - peppers and onions. There was enough of the veg but the potato was a bit thin on the ground. It wasn't a huge portion but it was more filling that some of the previous attempts over the last few months.

Yum yum. Sounds tasty !

Though as you say, you need a decent portion of spuds

 

[yorksrob]

I was a bit surprised myself to be honest as I expected winter veg - i.e. any two of broccoli/carrots/cauliflower/peas something like that but it did work.

You certainly can't go wrong with the brassicas.

 

[Blindtraveler]

The vedge thing is IMO just lazy. Go into any supermarket and in the freezer youl find a bag of mixed stuff, usually pees/sweetcorn, carots and beens for about a pound. Easy enough to thaw and cook and would cost pennies to give everyone a good big helpimg!

 

[Chrism20]

Looking at the picture on the website it shows carrots and onions. I wonder if tonight's has been substituted as there were no carrots with that chicken.

 

[westv]

Plastic glasses on the Executive this evening (are they expecting a fight?) but the good news is a full evening menu.

 

[JaJaWa]

It would appear that the coke and Diet Coke has been reduced to 250ml cans. Tall ones the same size as a can of red bull.

Looks like Hop On Board has shrunk too, credit @SaveECrewards.

Edit: size difference is Foodbar vs First. Just a new label.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Smaller cans of coke on this train, but Hop on Board appeared to be full sized. But impressed to have any booze today.

 

[Closet2405]

I'm travelling from Durham to Kings Cross on Tuesday morning. The usual first class menu for my service would be breakfast. According to the Virgin East Coast website, a reduced menu runs until 2nd January, however the only menus showing for next week are a breakfast and all day menu containing the same items as this reduced menu.

Does anyone know what catering I can expect? It's not really important as I'm on a cheap first advance, just curious.

 

[SteveP29]

Was in 1St Kings Cross to Edinburgh on 18th December.
Dismayed that tea/ coffee now comes in the cardboard cups you get in standard. Although you get a bigger helping now, it's still a cardboard cup.
As already stated, coke is now 250ml cans, 2 mouthfuls and it's gone for me.
No hot option (our train departed at 3pm), so we ended up with a soggy blt sandwich and 20 packet of plain crisps.
There was a very tasty jam muffin, but again, 2 mouthfus and it was gone.
Alcohol was available, but only by buying it from the foodbar.
Overall for me, the 1st class experience on East Coast is deteriorating every time I use it, as my OH said, the only real benefit of paying the extra money is the extra legroom and seat width

 

[AlterEgo]

I've made a video of my latest (early December) experience with VTEC. The food was excellent.

[youtube]J-x7pQb3yYA[/youtube]

 

[anti-pacer]

I've made a video of my latest (early December) experience with VTEC. The food was excellent.

[youtube]J-x7pQb3yYA[/youtube]

I enjoyed watching that... and that lamb looked delicious!

 

[dave87016]

The look of that lamb and the chocolate roulade with clotted cream has whet my appetite I'm considering a evening meal service on the 17:33pm ex Kings X - Harrogate but it deciding till the menu appears as its only showing till end of January

 

[trainophile]

Excellent video, thanks. It was just like being there with you!

 

[Chrism20]

Nice video.

 

[AlterEgo]

The look of that lamb and the chocolate roulade with clotted cream has whet my appetite I'm considering a evening meal service on the 17:33pm ex Kings X - Harrogate but it deciding till the menu appears as its only showing till end of January

I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. East Coast was reliable, if a bit middle of the road. The lamb was probably the best meal I've ever had on a train, excluding premium paid for meals like the Pullman.

 

[trainophile]

I have to say, the lamb looked rather underdone to me, but then I'm a philistine about such things. Was it hot, even if rare?

 

[AlterEgo]

I have to say, the lamb looked rather underdone to me, but then I'm a philistine about such things. Was it hot, even if rare?

Yes, perfectly hot and done just the way I like it. The dessert was also very good. Just a shame they don't bother with a starter, but I am nitpicking now.

 

[anti-pacer]

Do VTEC have a First Class offering for journeys wholly within Scotland, i.e. Aberdeen or Inverness to Edinburgh?

 

[marks87]

Do VTEC have a First Class offering for journeys wholly within Scotland, i.e. Aberdeen or Inverness to Edinburgh?

I've never done first class for journeys entirely within Scotland, but I have been served by Leuchars when travelling down south from Dundee.

Provided the journey time constraints are met, I can't see any reason why intra-Scotland passengers wouldn't get the same offering as everyone else.

 

[ainsworth74]

Yes as long as the journey is over 70 minutes then the full first class menu should be provided. VTEC have full catering througout.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Indeed they do. Be warned though, Breakfast x Aberdeen is a bit hit or miss

 

[leightonbd]

Do VTEC have a First Class offering for journeys wholly within Scotland, i.e. Aberdeen or Inverness to Edinburgh?

They certainly do. Doesn't matter if going only to EDB or beyond (subject to the 70 minute rule). It is the same as if going the full distance. Anyone who can do so, in my experience, takes EC ('a proper train') over SR.

On the pm/ eve southbound services from ABD (which go on to Leeds) expect one trolley service pre dundee and another post, followed by a flurry of clearing which I believe is due to crew change at EDB. So two drinks and cracks at the food trolley. I usually bring a contingency provision as the gap between the two is a bit too long for me.

You get a good breakfast on the Chieftain southbound from Inverness.

 

[Butts]

Do VTEC have a First Class offering for journeys wholly within Scotland, i.e. Aberdeen or Inverness to Edinburgh?

I went from Edinburgh to Aberdeen back in October on East Coast and had the normal "All Day Menu" with a couple of Booze Runs.

Have also been on The Chieftain heading to Inverness and had the same.

 

[Chrism20]

Indeed they do. Be warned though, Breakfast x Aberdeen is a bit hit or miss

Yes it's very hit and miss, mainly due to it being crew cook and no chef.

I remember back when it was those sliced potato things the woman sitting across the aisle from me ended up with a wiggly tooth following her attempt at biting into it.

Now both morning services are breakfast trains VTEC really should look at getting some chefs up there in Aberdeen.

 

[ainsworth74]

Now both morning services are breakfast trains VTEC really should look at getting some chefs up there in Aberdeen.

Yes it rather feels a strange omission now really. But 'twas ever thus even back in the days of paid for meals and restaurant services Aberdeen didn't have chefs on the services (so in some ways things are better now even if it is hit and miss!).

 

[Chrism20]

Yes it rather feels a strange omission now really. But 'twas ever thus even back in the days of paid for meals and restaurant services Aberdeen didn't have chefs on the services (so in some ways things are better now even if it is hit and miss!).

Yes the main beneficiary back in the day before comp catering was Sizzlers across from the station.

Never understood why Aberdeen was the odd one out.

 

[anti-pacer]

Leaving Leeds on the 0710 to Aberdeen travelling all the way through, what can you expect in terms of food and drink?

 

[ainsworth74]

Full food service probably on departure from Leeds (though maybe York) and again with the full service after Edinburgh (journeys crossing Edinburgh qualify for two full food services). Drinks will vary on crew but on that journey I'd be surprised if the drinks trolley didn't appear at least four or so times.

In terms of menu it'll be breakfast on departure from Leeds (with tea/coffee and juices to drink) and on departure from Edinburgh it'll be the 'Rest of the Day' menu (with tea/coffee, soft drinks and alcohol).

You can find VTECs first class menus here and they go through to 22 January if you're travelling after that they will at least give you an idea what will be on offer.