London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

silentone · 1 Jun 2011

Failed Unit said:
I guess they wanted the impact straight away, but the infrastructure has let them down big time again. Coupled with the teething problems of the menu it probably would be better waiting. Hindsight and all that, the have an email address linked from their website for comments. I suggest we all use it.

Silentone - Are you working the Leeds or Edinburgh route? Most trains from Edinburgh had at seat catering. My personal experience is 2 sandwiches and a packet of crisps or fruit cake on the all day offer. Better than a kick in the teeth but not filling. So unfortunately for me no hot offer (a choice would be wonderful) my only sight of a menu was on the press launch 0540 Edinburgh - kings cross. Hopefully my luck will change tomorrow, but again I can see the offer beign as good as the previous three course meal included in the ticket price, even if I did pay for wine.

There's no difference in the offers on any given route. The all day offer has a salad & hot meal along with the choice of sandwiches. All of which are journey time dependant. The new offer this week is Chicken Caesar Salad and Beetroot Risotto. Neither of those meals require a chef, and there's a few 'old-timers' who seem to refuse to do the hot meals because they've not had training on the oven... although they all did and it's a case of hitting a button.

The menu's are just a little booklet and very easily lost on a table full of newspapers and laptops.

I have also been trying to get drinks & food started within minutes of each other... well once I sorted the other issues out which now seem to centre around RG.

RailUK Forums

Essexman · 2 Jun 2011

The new offer this week is Chicken Caesar Salad and Beetroot Risotto.

No thanks!
Hardly compares with a choice of about 8 good quality chef cooked at seat meals.

Skimble19 · 2 Jun 2011

Must admit neither are the sort of stuff I'd go for normally, although out of the two it'd have to be the Chicken Caesar Salad - purely because I hate beetroot.

YorkshireRider · 2 Jun 2011

Essexman said:
The new offer this week is Chicken Caesar Salad and Beetroot Risotto.

No thanks!
Hardly compares with a choice of about 8 good quality chef cooked at seat meals.

I suppose the all day offer isnt fantastic if your really hungry, but the breakfast an evening meal has had good feedback and free booze and soft drinks cant be a bad thing, especially as summer seems to have arrived. As crews get used to there own trains and how best to work them the service will improve which i think is starting to happen. Maybe if feedback is bad on the all day offer they may tweek it and offer more hot options. Think Tony Blair said about his time as primeminister that you begin to realise that you cant please all of the people all of the time so the aim is to please most of the people most of the time, i think thats what will happen with the offer once the teething problems are sorted.

Failed Unit · 2 Jun 2011

Today, 1700 service, first plus it isn't a HST! and first class is nearly full.

The drinks and "appetiser" are out already - although the appertiser is really just a few savour snacks rather than a real appertiser. The have menus out as well.

Choices for main Carbonnade of Beef, Beetroot Risotto, Sandwiches or Chicken Caesar Salad,

Desert Gooseberry and Eggnog Tart or Ogle Shield or Blue Cheese,

Nothing is singing eat me compared to the old restuarant (where the 3 course meal was also included in my ticket price) but I will give it a go. I know things will improve, but I don't think the offering is as good as Virgin's for the Evening meal (at least not yet) I will have to check when Virgin start serving it as well...

But so far a definate improvement on all my other experiences (now watch the items I want be gone before the tolley gets to me

)

** The beef was on offer and very nice it was too, which means I know there is something nice on my next journey on Monday. That is the problem you will never please everyone when the menus are rotated...

Railjet · 2 Jun 2011

Skimble19 said:
Must admit neither are the sort of stuff I'd go for normally, although out of the two it'd have to be the Chicken Caesar Salad - purely because I hate beetroot.

Beetroot risotto is a bit weird, to say the least. It's the sort of thing you might see on the menu at an above-average Roman trattoria, but it (risotto in general) is a difficult dish to do well, and at least you know they will cook it properly.

How it tastes coming out of a packet - boiled or reheated or whatever they do with it on a train - is anyone's guess.

amcluesent · 2 Jun 2011

Has anyone tried the cheese and biscuits? I turned it down the other night as the egg & bacon sarnies are quite filling. Never been offered before or since

Overheard in FC this week -

"Those sandwiches look nice, shame I'm only going to PBO"
"Going to Newark did you say...?"
"Oh yeah, I meant Newark"

Failed Unit · 2 Jun 2011

Feel a bit sorry for anyone joining the 1700 at Newcastle or Berwick, one run of tea / coffee one we left Newcastle. Everything safely packed up before Berwick. Still a reasonable loading, but I think the crew are getting ready to go home. Didn't see any of the Newcastle joiners get offered anything and I doubt the Sandwiches will still be available tomorrow. It looks like the inconsistancy still remains even on the same train, that was one of my critisms of Virgin in the early days, join at Warrington heading North and you often got nothing despite Pendilino prime advertised in the timetable. Even under GNER boarding at Newcastle and heading north was "do you feel lucky punk"

Oh well, As an ex-London passenger I have had a feed, not as good as pre-timetable change so all I can say is I didn't need to pay for the wine, but saying that I didn't mind paying for it! Now lets see how late XC make us into Edinburgh!

silentone · 2 Jun 2011

I'm sure almost all of the trains should be doing a full drinks & food service leaving Newcastle, after that it's purely those who board at stations after Newcastle. This is really just because 9 times of out 10 all of the crockery has to be loaded back into a cart and the carts removed at Edinburgh, they would also be under the 70 minutes, and I can't say I've ever seen a 1st Class passenger board late in the evening going North.

All of the meals you are served in First Class are steamed. The risotto is pre-cooked and brought on the train in individual portions for the crew to place in the steam oven. It's actually not that bad, most people who think of beetroot think of the strong vinegar taste of the beetroot that comes in jars, the risotto is quite nice. The Caesar salad is okay but I preferred last weeks crayfish. Once everyone has a drink they all seem fairly relaxed, although there are still quite a few rude individuals and some who even want more! A quiet reminder that 2 weeks ago all they were getting was a biscuit seems to do the trick.

Everyone is getting better at delivering the service but some crews/crew members seem defiant to make it like the old way and they are running themselves ragged. I've seen some run up and down 1st like a yo-yo and I got bored of saying slow down so I let them get on with it today... suffice to say they saw the light!

jon0844 · 2 Jun 2011

amcluesent said:
Has anyone tried the cheese and biscuits? I turned it down the other night as the egg & bacon sarnies are quite filling. Never been offered before or since

Overheard in FC this week -

"Those sandwiches look nice, shame I'm only going to PBO"
"Going to Newark did you say...?"
"Oh yeah, I meant Newark"

Reminds me of a trip I made to Nottingham when I was young. I wasn't underage, but still managed to mess up when trying to get into a nightclub;

Bouncer asks 'how old are you mate?'
'19'
'It's over 21's tonight'
'Oh!'
'So, once again, how old are you mate?'
'Erm, 21?'
'Have a good night sir!'

And I also found out that there aren't about 5 females for every male in Nottingham.

premier01 · 3 Jun 2011

silentone said:
There's no difference in the offers on any given route. The all day offer has a salad & hot meal along with the choice of sandwiches. All of which are journey time dependant. The new offer this week is Chicken Caesar Salad and Beetroot Risotto. Neither of those meals require a chef, and there's a few 'old-timers' who seem to refuse to do the hot meals because they've not had training on the oven... although they all did and it's a case of hitting a button.

The menu's are just a little booklet and very easily lost on a table full of newspapers and laptops.

I have also been trying to get drinks & food started within minutes of each other... well once I sorted the other issues out which now seem to centre around RG.

A quick question-is there Cider available and is it Rekorderlig as suggested in the new menu.

Skimble19 · 3 Jun 2011

amcluesent said:
Has anyone tried the cheese and biscuits? I turned it down the other night as the egg & bacon sarnies are quite filling. Never been offered before or since

Overheard in FC this week -

"Those sandwiches look nice, shame I'm only going to PBO"
"Going to Newark did you say...?"
"Oh yeah, I meant Newark"

Good to see.. The whole PBO thing is a difficult situation - discretion from crews is probably the best way to go about it for now. If they've got plenty of stock dish it out to the PBO pax too, if they haven't then don't.

StrollerEd · 3 Jun 2011

silentone said:
I'm sure almost all of the trains should be doing a full drinks & food service leaving Newcastle, after that it's purely those who board at stations after Newcastle.
<snip>
Once everyone has a drink they all seem fairly relaxed, although there are still quite a few rude individuals and some who even want more! A quiet reminder that 2 weeks ago all they were getting was a biscuit seems to do the trick.

Everyone is getting better at delivering the service but some crews/crew members seem defiant to make it like the old way and they are running themselves ragged. I've seen some run up and down 1st like a yo-yo and I got bored of saying slow down so I let them get on with it today... suffice to say they saw the light!

I'm still of the firm view that the proposition is wrong. Free snacks for all would appease the short-haulers and paid food for those that want it would satisfy the long. Use of vouchers works with the Exec ticket and so it could also be used for the long-haulers who really do need to eat on a 3 to 5 hour journey.

I'm planning my Edin - London trips with planes in mind I regret. I want to be attracted back with promise of peace & quiet as well as prospect of a reasonable (and preferably good) meal - either to set me up for the day [just loved the breakfast] or as reward for a long hard day.

I recall one time (admitedly in days of GNER) when I boarded at York going North to learn that the restaurant had run out of meals - only then to be told "I'll phone my daughter". Minutes later I was told that I could get off at Darlington and get the next train on which I was assured of X, Y and Z. Of course I did, and was greeted by the words "Mum said that you wanted Z, is that right? Rare, medium or well done?" Certainly rare but also so very well done!

YorkshireRider · 3 Jun 2011

premier01 said:
A quick question-is there Cider available and is it Rekorderlig as suggested in the new menu.

Yes it is

Failed Unit · 3 Jun 2011

amcluesent said:
Has anyone tried the cheese and biscuits? I turned it down the other night as the egg & bacon sarnies are quite filling. Never been offered before or since

Overheard in FC this week -

"Those sandwiches look nice, shame I'm only going to PBO"
"Going to Newark did you say...?"
"Oh yeah, I meant Newark"

Did see someone get the main travelling between York and Newcastle. It is a short journey, but if the had said no the journey is too short the food would have got wasted anyway.

A couple of people joined at Newcastle for Edinburgh and just got coffee. Surprised really the were on our train when the 1630 ex-kings cross was only 5 minutes before us.

richa2002 · 3 Jun 2011

silentone said:
Once everyone has a drink they all seem fairly relaxed, although there are still quite a few rude individuals and some who even want more! A quiet reminder that 2 weeks ago all they were getting was a biscuit seems to do the trick.

This is exactly the sort of attitude that I knew would develop when things became 'free'. God forbid someone who's paid the full first class fare not be overly satisfied with the complimentary offering as after all, it's free, can't complain! It doesn't help the attitude of some staff who think you should be grateful that they're serving you and that they're doing you some sort of a favour. I think you need to remember that some of these 'rude individuals' may have paid three-figures for the privilege of travelling with you so they most certainly have the right to air their views if they're not pleased with the service. I hope they quietly reminded you that 2 weeks ago, a lot of trains had a great menu with a wide-selection of hot, substantial dishes (it cost money, yes, but the sort of people travelling first don't mind paying a bit more for something that will satisfy them) compared to the mediocre offering now where choice means very little and if you're lucky to be travelling on one of the few northbound trains out of London in the evening, you may see something resembling the previous offering.

thefab444 · 3 Jun 2011

Richard Armstrong said:
if you're lucky to be travelling on one of the few northbound trains out of London in the evening, you may see something resembling the previous offering.

When you compare the menus, even the complimentary evening meal offer is considerably worse than the previous restaurant offer in terms of variety. Some of the hot options seem to be rather strange choices as well.

StrollerEd · 3 Jun 2011

Agreed, the cost of First Class rail travel for long haul is high and comparable to the plane. EC has only a short time in which to remedy their error and regain their USP - good food enjoyed away from the place where others work and relax

richa2002 · 3 Jun 2011

thefab444 said:
When you compare the menus, even the complimentary evening meal offer is considerably worse than the previous restaurant offer in terms of variety. Some of the hot options seem to be rather strange choices as well.

Certainly no doubt about that.

Greenback · 3 Jun 2011

Beetroot risotto sounds not only strange but quite disgusting. Perhaps we are just ignroant yokels in Llanelli though - is such a dish familiar in London?!

Failed Unit · 3 Jun 2011

Have you all sent off you compliant emails, if they get a lot of people saying that they prefer to pay for a reasonable choice rather than have a limit choice included in the price they may think again. Or at least the next franchise might. The "all day" offer is poor to put it politely, but unless we complain east coast will think all is perfect.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Greenback said:
Beetroot risotto sounds not only strange but quite disgusting. Perhaps we are just ignroant yokels in Llanelli though - is such a dish familiar in London?!

It doesn't sound that appealing, but I would give it a go, if it was offered. Just bacon and egg sandwiches or onion barji.

All Line Rover · 3 Jun 2011

Greenback said:
Beetroot risotto sounds not only strange but quite disgusting. Perhaps we are just ignroant yokels in Llanelli though - is such a dish familiar in London?!

Why can't they do fish'n'chips? Everyone knows what that is!

Greenback · 3 Jun 2011

Fish and chips, Cottage/Shepherds Pie, Bangers 'n Mash and a vegetarian ploughmans lunch should be the choices! I know what all of those are!

Failed Unit · 3 Jun 2011

I can see in a few years time Heston will be tasked to make train catering great again. He will suggest cooking it on the train from scratch! Back 100 years. I think however this offer is here to stay, the IEP will be reheat only.

All Line Rover · 3 Jun 2011

Greenback said:
Fish and chips, Cottage/Shepherds Pie, Bangers 'n Mash and a vegetarian ploughmans lunch should be the choices! I know what all of those are!

All the classics...

Who wants "beetroot risotto" when you can have Bangers'n'Mash?

MidnightFlyer · 3 Jun 2011

All Line Rover said:
Why can't they do fish'n'chips? Everyone knows what that is!

Virgin West Coast did fish n' chips on the last Friday of every month pre-VHF. They also had every Wednesday as 'Curry Night'.

silentone · 3 Jun 2011

Failed Unit said:
I can see in a few years time Heston will be tasked to make train catering great again. He will suggest cooking it on the train from scratch! Back 100 years. I think however this offer is here to stay, the IEP will be reheat only.

The IEP will be fitted with the same equipment, and will have the interior designed to be able to deliver the same offer.

We are now delving straight into the summer months and the demand for a hot meal is not as great as during the winter months. Perhaps for the winter menu things will be a bit more hearty, so far all of the meals are very light and geared for summer.

Failed Unit · 3 Jun 2011

silentone said:
The IEP will be fitted with the same equipment, and will have the interior designed to be able to deliver the same offer.

That was really my point but badly made, this is all the IEP will be able to offer so we get used to it now it won't be that we blame the train when the catering offer gets downgraded it will already have happened.

Greenback · 3 Jun 2011

It's already pretty much happened anyway. Forgive my cynicism, but complaining won't really chaneg anything!

silentone · 3 Jun 2011

Failed Unit said:
That was really my point but badly made, this is all the IEP will be able to offer so we get used to it now it won't be that we blame the train when the catering offer gets downgraded it will already have happened.

You must be forgetting that for the past few months most of these new modified kitchens have been cooking the food you've been eating on the train. They are more than capable of creating freshly prepared meals. The steam oven is still an oven capable of cooking food from scratch. There is still a hob and there is still a grill.

The new equipment is far better at preparing fresh meals onboard than the old equipment.

The idea that this new equipment is for re-heat only is silly, bearing in mind the IEP is only going to replace the HST fleet. There would be nothing preventing the kitchen on the IEP from cooking the same fresh meals you've been eating onboard for years.

I also wish people would stop complaining, as has been said above it's too late! When they did customer surveys in the past you all said free food! Here we are with free food and now you want to pay for it! Blimey almighty.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Richard Armstrong said:
This is exactly the sort of attitude that I knew would develop when things became 'free'. God forbid someone who's paid the full first class fare not be overly satisfied with the complimentary offering as after all, it's free, can't complain! It doesn't help the attitude of some staff who think you should be grateful that they're serving you and that they're doing you some sort of a favour. I think you need to remember that some of these 'rude individuals' may have paid three-figures for the privilege of travelling with you so they most certainly have the right to air their views if they're not pleased with the service. I hope they quietly reminded you that 2 weeks ago, a lot of trains had a great menu with a wide-selection of hot, substantial dishes (it cost money, yes, but the sort of people travelling first don't mind paying a bit more for something that will satisfy them) compared to the mediocre offering now where choice means very little and if you're lucky to be travelling on one of the few northbound trains out of London in the evening, you may see something resembling the previous offering.

A lot of trains also didn't, and regardless of whoever paid what for their ticket they all get treated the same and some courtesy and lack of greed should be shown.

Regardless of whether they paid £300 or £30 for their ticket they would be treated the same. If people are going to be rude throughout their journey then I'm sorry I probably won't be laying on the red carpet for them.

I guess some people are prepared to look a gift horse in the mouth.

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