London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[ThePannier]

I'm a bit confused about what to expect, foodwise, on the 9.30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh (weekday. November). The main East Coast website says full breakfast is served in first class until 9.30, but their timetable shows it being served if you board at Kings Cross. Does anyone know for sure?



Also, given that it doesn't arrive at Edinburgh until 14.15, is it safe to assume we'll be offered lunch off the all-day menu too? I don't want to appear greedy, but for health reasons I need regular meals so can plan on taking extra food if there's a big gap between breakfast and arrival.



And on the return journey back on a weekday, leaving Edinburgh at 12.30 (arriving KGX 16.51), do you get lunch + afternoon tea, or just lunch?



Thanks for your help

The East Coast website doesn't seem to help me at all, lol! :P - not very good at navigating websites anyway, though.

Not sure if this would help, but if you maybe (assuming KGX is your nearest station), ask about if you see any East Coast employees. I know that mightn't sound too helpful, but chances are you might catch one of the trolley attendees coming off their shift.

Just a suggestion.

 

[yorkie]

I'm a bit confused about what to expect, foodwise, on the 9.30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh (weekday. November). The main East Coast website says full breakfast is served in first class until 9.30, but their timetable shows it being served if you board at Kings Cross. Does anyone know for sure?

Yes, the timetable shows full breakfast on departure from KGX. Subject to availability so we can't be totally sure, but that'll be the plan.

... is it safe to assume we'll be offered lunch off the all-day menu too?

I'd expect a new crew from Newcastle to be a strong possibility, if so the offer would start afresh, so subject to availability yes you should be able to pick from the all day menu.

Sit nearer the kitchen to minimise the risk of them running out.
availability so we can't be totally sure, but that'll be the plan.

And on the return journey back on a weekday, leaving Edinburgh at 12.30 (arriving KGX 16.51), do you get lunch + afternoon tea, or just lunch?

Thanks for your help

The timetable shows this as All Day throughout. No guarantees, but there might be a crew change at Newcastle...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

T
Not sure if this would help, but if you maybe (assuming KGX is your nearest station), ask about if you see any East Coast employees. I know that mightn't sound too helpful, but chances are you might catch one of the trolley attendees coming off their shift.

You're better off asking here. There are EC staff on this forum, some of whom provide the 1st class service (though are unlikely to advertise that fact for obvious reasons).

 

[Chrism20]

I'm a bit confused about what to expect, foodwise, on the 9.30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh (weekday. November). The main East Coast website says full breakfast is served in first class until 9.30, but their timetable shows it being served if you board at Kings Cross. Does anyone know for sure?

Also, given that it doesn't arrive at Edinburgh until 14.15, is it safe to assume we'll be offered lunch off the all-day menu too? I don't want to appear greedy, but for health reasons I need regular meals so can plan on taking extra food if there's a big gap between breakfast and arrival.

And on the return journey back on a weekday, leaving Edinburgh at 12.30 (arriving KGX 16.51), do you get lunch + afternoon tea, or just lunch?

Thanks for your help

I've been on the 0930 a few times the last few months and will be again on the 18th Dec, the full breakfast is served, if you wish to wait for lunch they are fine with that and it is normally served leaving Doncaster.

It's a KGX crew that have always taken the train all the way anytime I have been on it and I've seen them taking a note of who says they will get something later so the chances are you will only get one or the other as normally they like to get the ones saying they will wait out the way before York.

Work pay for my hotel etc in London so I always have breakfast there and have the lunch. The Scotch also puts in an appearance at York

 

[Butts]

Based on last year it'll be a choice of bacon roll or porridge alongside a choice of toast, croissant or Danish.

Is that singular or plural

 

[Deerfold]

Is that singular or plural

Yes

 

[ATF1]

Yes, the timetable shows full breakfast on departure from KGX. Subject to availability so we can't be totally sure, but that'll be the plan.

I'd expect a new crew from Newcastle to be a strong possibility, if so the offer would start afresh, so subject to availability yes you should be able to pick from the all day menu.

Sit nearer the kitchen to minimise the risk of them running out.
availability so we can't be totally sure, but that'll be the plan.

The timetable shows this as All Day throughout. No guarantees, but there might be a crew change at Newcastle...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You're better off asking here. There are EC staff on this forum, some of whom provide the 1st class service (though are unlikely to advertise that fact for obvious reasons).

Thanks. We were allocated seats in M (as usual) but I prefer to seat-hop to a less crowded carriage when possible.

 

[ATF1]

I've been on the 0930 a few times the last few months and will be again on the 18th Dec, the full breakfast is served, if you wish to wait for lunch they are fine with that and it is normally served leaving Doncaster.

It's a KGX crew that have always taken the train all the way anytime I have been on it and I've seen them taking a note of who says they will get something later so the chances are you will only get one or the other as normally they like to get the ones saying they will wait out the way before York.

Work pay for my hotel etc in London so I always have breakfast there and have the lunch. The Scotch also puts in an appearance at York

Thanks. Mine's a G&T
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The East Coast website doesn't seem to help me at all, lol! :P - not very good at navigating websites anyway, though.

Not sure if this would help, but if you maybe (assuming KGX is your nearest station), ask about if you see any East Coast employees. I know that mightn't sound too helpful, but chances are you might catch one of the trolley attendees coming off their shift.

Just a suggestion.

Thanks. I probably won't be at KGX until we travel, but I'll bear that in mind for future trips.

 

[yorkie]

Thanks. We were allocated seats in M (as usual) but I prefer to seat-hop to a less crowded carriage when possible.

You can pick your seat on East Coast, providing you book online.

Note this facility is not available if you have the last Advance ticket available at that price tier.

 

[mad_rich]

Very pleasant lunch on the 1330 KGX-NCL today, including a hot option (which I didn't take).

The service wasn't exactly warm, and my request for a second glass of wine was granted grudgingly, but the food was pretty good and filling. Wifi seemed much faster than usual, too, perhaps because there were only half a dozen people in the carriage?

One thing that still baffles me is the insistence on serving tea/ coffee separately from the milk. Utterly bizarre, and easily fixed...

 

[Chrism20]

Very pleasant lunch on the 1330 KGX-NCL today, including a hot option (which I didn't take).

The service wasn't exactly warm, and my request for a second glass of wine was granted grudgingly, but the food was pretty good and filling. Wifi seemed much faster than usual, too, perhaps because there were only half a dozen people in the carriage?

One thing that still baffles me is the insistence on serving tea/ coffee separately from the milk. Utterly bizarre, and easily fixed...

There was a talk of the wifi being upgraded during the summer (It was in that little First Class book IIRC) but it never seemed to happen, perhaps they have finally got round to it.

Can't explain the milk issue but I do wish they would get a decent standard of tea and coffee. It's either like tar or dirty dishwater

 

[Butts]

There was a talk of the wifi being upgraded during the summer (It was in that little First Class book IIRC) but it never seemed to happen, perhaps they have finally got round to it.

Can't explain the milk issue but I do wish they would get a decent standard of tea and coffee. It's either like tar or dirty dishwater

Totally agree with that comment - is it beyond the realms of possibility to install a decent machine and add Cappo's et al. even the Coffee on BA Domestic or Flybe is better than East Coasts.

 

[ainsworth74]

Back in May 2011 when this new catering offer was first rolled out they did have a fancy new coffee machine installed that was supposed to produce high quality fresh coffee. I believe however it proved highly unreliable and has now been removed.

 

[Tetchytyke]

One thing that still baffles me is the insistence on serving tea/ coffee separately from the milk. Utterly bizarre, and easily fixed...

If you drink your coffee black it's a good thing they serve it separately.

I don't mind East Coast coffee and tea, it's better than the instant slop you get on aeroplanes.

 

[ThePannier]

In regards to the milk thing, when travelling in First Class from King's Cross to York, my parents both asked for two cups of tea. My mam had to then ask the trolley attendee if they could have milk - the drinks were disgusting, even with the milk.

I agree with other comments, why on earth the milk is separate is very bizarre!

 

[Kite159]

I'm checking the menu for ideas for next Friday (17:00 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh), seems the choices will be:

Sea trout served with celeriac remoulade, potato gratin and broccoli
Or
Asian style chicken noodle salad served with a soy sauce, garlic, ginger and chilli dressing
Or
Asparagus and potato frittata served with mixed leaf salad (v) (GF)

Any idea if the Chicken noodle salad is spicy?

 

[ainsworth74]

No clue on the noodles but I can recommend the Sea Trout as being very good.

 

[Chrism20]

I'm checking the menu for ideas for next Friday (17:00 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh), seems the choices will be:

Sea trout served with celeriac remoulade, potato gratin and broccoli
Or
Asian style chicken noodle salad served with a soy sauce, garlic, ginger and chilli dressing
Or
Asparagus and potato frittata served with mixed leaf salad (v) (GF)

Any idea if the Chicken noodle salad is spicy?

The sea trout is nice, most definitely recommended.

The noodles are served cold. When they first started doing them the sauce came in a little pot with a lid the last few times I've had it there has been no pot. It's not very spicy at all tbh but if you were to ask for it without the sauce it would be disgusting.

The frittata is dry - VERY dry

 

[philjo]

In regards to the milk thing, when travelling in First Class from King's Cross to York, my parents both asked for two cups of tea. My mam had to then ask the trolley attendee if they could have milk - the drinks were disgusting, even with the milk.

I agree with other comments, why on earth the milk is separate is very bizarre!

I usually ask for the Green Tea as I don't drink coffee and the normal tea is far too strong. On the last couple of EC trips the staff came round with a jug of hot water to fill my cup (& provided a tea bag sachet). The jug had evidently previously been used to serve coffee and not washed properly in the meantime as there was a distinct taste of coffee in the water - one of the cups was undrinkable having the tea mixed with weak coffee. Some of the more helpful crews usually come back with teapot that they leave on my table (& I then get about 3 cups out of it which saves having to ask for another refil). other crews make a fuss about having to go back to get a jug of hot water (or conveniently forget even though it is clearly listed on the menu )

 

[ThePannier]

I usually ask for the Green Tea as I don't drink coffee and the normal tea is far too strong. On the last couple of EC trips the staff came round with a jug of hot water to fill my cup (& provided a tea bag sachet). The jug had evidently previously been used to serve coffee and not washed properly in the meantime as there was a distinct taste of coffee in the water - one of the cups was undrinkable having the tea mixed with weak coffee. Some of the more helpful crews usually come back with teapot that they leave on my table (& I then get about 3 cups out of it which saves having to ask for another refil). other crews make a fuss about having to go back to get a jug of hot water (or conveniently forget even though it is clearly listed on the menu )

With me being rather young, I tend to only make short hops around on trains, typically it's just Durham to Newcastle and back.

I try and book with East Coast as much as possible, simply because, while they do have downsides, they are the most professional, in my opinion.

Moving on, about the coffee. My grandma has friends all over the country (just last week she went to Reading with CrossCountry!). She's told me previously that she likes East Coast's first class purely because it is calm and you get more 'attention' from the staff in there. She said she could fault nothing but the hot drinks - she described her morning coffee (I think she was on one of the 08:30ish trains from Durham down to Peterborough) as something she would only drink again if she had a gun held to her face! And that's coming from an O-AP!

 

[Chrism20]

I usually ask for the Green Tea as I don't drink coffee and the normal tea is far too strong. On the last couple of EC trips the staff came round with a jug of hot water to fill my cup (& provided a tea bag sachet). The jug had evidently previously been used to serve coffee and not washed properly in the meantime as there was a distinct taste of coffee in the water - one of the cups was undrinkable having the tea mixed with weak coffee. Some of the more helpful crews usually come back with teapot that they leave on my table (& I then get about 3 cups out of it which saves having to ask for another refil). other crews make a fuss about having to go back to get a jug of hot water (or conveniently forget even though it is clearly listed on the menu )

If they say they have to go and get the jug ask them just to bring you it in one of the takeaway cups from the buffet, they are huge and generally stay hot much longer as the water has just been poured from the hot tap rather than from the jug which has sat for an age at times

 

[Butts]

If you drink your coffee black it's a good thing they serve it separately.

I don't mind East Coast coffee and tea, it's better than the instant slop you get on aeroplanes.

I can't vouch for tea as I don't drink it, but the last ones I had on BA and Flybe were better as was The Scotrail Freebie in their 1st Class.

Does anyone know exactly how they make the Coffee in EC 1st ?

Is their Coffee from The Cafe Bar the same product?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Is their Coffee from The Cafe Bar the same product?

No, its 100 times nicer. At a guep I would say the FC Cofee is as cheep as possible as its the only thing there not stingy with! At the moment anyway, I would guess that VT's First offering may be a bit less restrictive, particularly in terms of the Scotch!

 

[Chrism20]

Is their Coffee from The Cafe Bar the same product?

No, its 100 times nicer. At a guep I would say the FC Cofee is as cheep as possible as its the only thing there not stingy with! At the moment anyway, I would guess that VT's First offering may be a bit less restrictive, particularly in terms of the Scotch!

The CafeBar coffee is Nescafé Azera which retails at £3 for a small tin so it's decent gear. The first class stuff at a guess is Tesco value at 47p for 500g going by the taste

 

[Tetchytyke]

I can't vouch for tea as I don't drink it, but the last ones I had on BA and Flybe were better as was The Scotrail Freebie in their 1st Class.

Does anyone know exactly how they make the Coffee in EC 1st ?

I think it's the same as on FGW, a sort of concentrate that they top up with hot water. The stuff at the CafeBar is Nescafe Azera out of small sachets, and the first class coffee definitely isn't Azera.

I've not flown BA for a long time so can't comment, but on recent trips Flybe and Aer Lingus both used quite nasty instant. Ryanair used fresh Lavazza filter coffee, and it was very nice but pricey.

 

[ATF1]

I'm a bit confused about what to expect, foodwise, on the 9.30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh (weekday. November). The main East Coast website says full breakfast is served in first class until 9.30, but their timetable shows it being served if you board at Kings Cross. Does anyone know for sure?

Also, given that it doesn't arrive at Edinburgh until 14.15, is it safe to assume we'll be offered lunch off the all-day menu too? I don't want to appear greedy, but for health reasons I need regular meals so can plan on taking extra food if there's a big gap between breakfast and arrival.

And on the return journey back on a weekday, leaving Edinburgh at 12.30 (arriving KGX 16.51), do you get lunch + afternoon tea, or just lunch?

Thanks for your help

The way it's working is that we were served breakfast very rapidly, and were given an all day menu after the plates were cleared. At York we were told we'd be served lunch after leaving Newcastle. However when the trolley came past we were told it was only for passengers from Darlington onwards, but that if anything was left over after that it would be 'given out'. Given that first class is pretty full I'm not sure what the chance is of that. I've been surprised that no biscuits have been offered with tea and coffee, but the drinks trolley has just passed for the second time. With no food on offer at all, now that it's past 13.00, I'd be hungry if I hadn't brought my own snacks. I suppose there's always the buffet car - maybe that's the idea.

It's definitely not the service it used to be. I used to be able to grab a couple of packets of biscuits to keep me going but they seem to have discontinued them.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The way it's working is that we were served breakfast very rapidly, and were given an all day menu after the plates were cleared. At York we were told we'd be served lunch after leaving Newcastle. However when the trolley came past we were told it was only for passengers from Darlington onwards, but that if anything was left over after that it would be 'given out'. Given that first class is pretty full I'm not sure what the chance is of that. I've been surprised that no biscuits have been offered with tea and coffee, but the drinks trolley has just passed for the second time. With no food on offer at all, now that it's past 13.00, I'd be hungry if I hadn't brought my own snacks. I suppose there's always the buffet car - maybe that's the idea.

It's definitely not the service it used to be. I used to be able to grab a couple of packets of biscuits to keep me going but they seem to have discontinued them.

We have sandwiches!! And very nice they are too. It's the uncertainty that gets me - of being out of control of when or even if you can eat. Maybe I'm a second class passenger at heart

 

[Chrism20]

Following the franchise announcement today and the attitude of some staff at having to go back to the buffet (which is in the next carriage) to fetch something I cannot wait to see what kind of service the poor sod back in coach B gets when they put in an app order for a packet of ready salted from the new at-seat service.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

?At the moment anyway, I would guess that VT's First offering may be a bit less restrictive, particularly in terms of the Scotch!

Did someone mention liberation of the drinks cabinet? I hope Sir Dickie is on the first HST out of Edinburgh on day one and that the keys to aforementioned cabinet get lobbed out of the window when going over the viaduct at Berwick

 

[Butts]

Will this thread have to be renamed .....

More importantly we may finally be in receipt of The Holy Grail at Breakfast Time.......Black Pudding (as served on Virgin) and even a fresh egg

I can tolerate a switch from EC's Grouse to Virgins Johnny Walker Whisky !!

 

[ainsworth74]

Will this thread have to be renamed .....

When the time comes

 

[Chrism20]

I can tolerate a switch from EC's Grouse to Virgins Johnny Walker Whisky !!

Yes I think I could also at a push

Virgin also used to do nice little salad boxes, not sure if they still do. They didn't look much but they were quite deceiving and were actually quite filling.

 

[Deerfold]

I usually ask for the Green Tea as I don't drink coffee and the normal tea is far too strong. On the last couple of EC trips the staff came round with a jug of hot water to fill my cup (& provided a tea bag sachet). The jug had evidently previously been used to serve coffee and not washed properly in the meantime as there was a distinct taste of coffee in the water - one of the cups was undrinkable having the tea mixed with weak coffee. Some of the more helpful crews usually come back with teapot that they leave on my table (& I then get about 3 cups out of it which saves having to ask for another refil). other crews make a fuss about having to go back to get a jug of hot water (or conveniently forget even though it is clearly listed on the menu )

Last time I went EC First Class I asked for some hot water to have a Lemsip. It was also significantly coffee flavoured.