Text 14175, 97 rader
Skriven 2011-07-31 17:20:00 av MICHAEL LOO (1:123/140)
Ärende: June trip report 674
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UA 950 IAD BRU 1751 0730 777 9AB

A lot of milling about at the gate when we arrived. We
were whisked through the priority line, but most of our
neighbors had already taken their places, probably waiting
to pounce on our extra-nice seats should we not show up.

Pre-departure beverage, the usual poor excuse for Champers,
or water, or OJ, in plastic. I passed.

This one took off a fair amount late and landed a fair
amount late. Our service was pleasant in that slowish
middle-aged way that we have become accustomed to from
the Washington-based crew.

beginnings
Vegetarian spring roll with ginger soy sauce - filled with
mint herb, fresh cilantro, carrots, red onion, English
cucumber and noodles

and

Seasonal mixed greens - classic Caesar or Asian sesame
ginger vinaigrette

I got two spring rolls, as Lilli doesn't eat such things.
I wolfed them down mindlessly, as I was a bit hungry, and
they were small. They tasted appropriately Vietnamese, very
minty; the sauce was a tad sweet.

main course
Braised beef short rib with red wine demi-glace - potato
pancakes and oven-roasted root vegetables

Pan-seared salmon - roasted fingerling potatoes, French
green beans and carrots

Spinach lasagna rolls with rosetta sauce - Parmesan cheese

We both had the beef, which was quite bad. When we were
done, our dishes looked like what a small child does when
he's been served something unsavory - the food cut up a
little and moved around the plate, otherwise untouched.
Though I did eat some of my vegetables.

to finish
Artisan cheese selection - served with red grapes and
crackers - four year aged Cheddar, Saint Rocco triple creme
Brie

Ice cream

We both refused.

prior to arrival
Continental breakfast featuring a fruit appetizer, breakfast
bread and fruit preserves - yogurt is available upon request

I snoozed through this.

Featured wines

Champagne
De Venoge Cordon Bleu brut nv

white wine
Michel Lynch Graves 2009
or
Pazo San Mauro Albarino 2007

Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay 2007
or
Pellegrini Olivet Lane Chardonnay 2008, Russian River Valley

red wine
Cave de Tain Crozes Hermitage
or
Evodia Garnacha 2009

Yalumba Y Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
or
Chateau Signac Medoc Cru Bourgeois 2008

I had a few glasses of the Crozes, the first pour of which
was slightly corky but not too much so; it had more spice
than I'm accustomed to and a pleasant fruity plummy quality.

We landed a bit behind, which is fine, as the Star Alliance
lounge in Brussels is overcrowded and overheated.

Immigration was neglectful and fast, so we had plenty of
time for the lounge anyway, where a pain au chocolat and a
glass of red plonk made breakfast.

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