This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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Food & Drink
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So after the LHR-DUB-LHR legs of this trip, which all played out, if a little tight on time due to delays, the time came to leave the succour of the Radisson at Heathrow and head out to SFO. Having pre-booked a DTCI slot we used Uber for the short trip and all went well. It was the first time the driver had been asked to go to the UC Wing, and we rocked up just before 08:15, greeted warmly by the staff, bags taken and boarding cards issued and we were off through security, which all went smoothly. A quick detour to Boots to get some plasters for hubby who was complaining that his toes were hurting, and then into the embrace of the Clubhouse. When I'm there I'm reminded of a scene from a film, Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief where they enter the Lotus Casino and get stuck in a time warp as long as they're eating the lotus flowers. The Clubhouse is a bit like that, as long as you keep imbibing you can get stuck in a time warp sort of daze.
Anyway, we went to the bistro for some breakfast first, 2 full English, and very nice it was, washed down with Buck's Fizz. Then moved on to some of the seating looking out at the giant monstrosity sitting in front of the Clubhouse, where we got comfortable, and sat reading, me imbibing the Red Heads whilst hubby drank tea (being teetotal I always have a driver!). We visited the deli for a little snack and I paced my drinking, as I know how easy it is to get sozzled before you've even boarded the plane!
There was some fuss at some point as some DYKWIA / VIP came in and was fussed over and escorted to her seat near us with her companions, and a big fuss made of her. I've no idea who she was, but then the fuss died down and everything returned to normal. I had no spa treatments this time, and the Clubhouse was reasonably busy, but not packed. It got a bit busier and then some Delta flights were called and quite a lot of pax left.
Boarding was called, and my hubby likes to get on so we left at first call (I know it's not very v-flyer of me), and off we went to board Cosmic Girl, where we bypassed everyone in Y and PE (and I noted a few dirty looks) boarded, turned left and proceeded to seats 12A&K. As we got settled, the UC cabin filled up, and champagne was offered and accepted, which wasn't that bad actually. The seats were very intimate and perfect for us, especially as my OH doesn't like to look at other people (only my handsome face!). The cabin was very cosy.
Pushback was a little late and I didn't really note when we took off, but off we took. IIRC there were 385 pax on board plus 12 CC and the pilots. Whilst the FSM didn't come round and speak to everyone in UC, she was very much hands on throughout the flight and was well supported by a good team. Service was spot on, CC were personable and looked after us well. More drinks were offered once we were off the ground, and there was a new menu with new cocktails, this time a twist on Margaritas, so I had a variant of a Tom Collins, which I stuck to throughout the flight.
Dinner was served about an hour or so into the flight, and as its a new menu here it is:
For flights VS05, 07, 15, 19, 23, 33, 39, 41, 43, 63, 65, 87, 89, 93, 97, 103, 107, 115, 117, 161.
Starters:
Organic tomato and basil soup
Pillow of smoked salmon
Warm chicken satay
Breads:
Rosemary focaccia
Ciabatta
Oat topped round roll
Mains:
Grilled fillet of beef with new season veg, shallot purée, garlic mash & caper jus.
Chicken tikka masala with dhal and rice.
Tomato & mozzarella gnocchi in creamy basil pesto with sun blushed tomato.
Seared tuna steak on a bed of tomato, onion, cannelini beans, feta and mint with balsamic maple dressing (a Lorraine Pascal dish).
Pudding:
Salted caramel pudding
Clotted cream panna cotta with strawberry compote and langue de chat (cats tongue) biscuits
Cheese and port for those who have room, Danish Blue, Red Leicester and Brie.
I had the chicken satay - delicious, the tuna - even more delicious, and the salted caramel pud - orgasmic! Hubby just had the curry and cheese board.
Of the extra bites / graze menu:
Classic burger
Sushi
Baked potato skins with cheese
Cold charcuterie with olives and stuffed peppers
Warm veg pakora and samosa
I had the burger and it was lush.
Afternoon tea was served about an hour and a half before landing - all very nice, but the sandwiches just a touch dry.
The flight passed without issue, I watched a film, read some, then got bored and went up to the bar and joined some chaps for a good chat. All travelling g together, and it later transpired, 2 were in PE but had been given permission to sit with their colleagues at the bar for an hour. They were tailors travelling from Cumbria, the boss had been a Saville Row Tailor, and they were going to SFO, IAD, and NYC to see clients for fitting and to get new orders. We had a good laugh, but they did seem to hog the bar a bit. The 2 juniors were sent back upstairs by CC, but the other 3 guys were still at the bar several hours later when I returned to get another drink.
We landed I think at 14:00 local time, we were first to disembark and then came the long queue for immigration as there were no machines for us to use it seemed. After about 45 minutes I think we were through, and luggage was still going round on the belt, but ours had been lifted off with a load of others and lined up, which we didn't realise so hunted for 5 minutes for our cases, which weren't tagged as UC or priority either. Then it was off through into the arrivals area where I booked an Uber for transfer to the Omni San Francisco.
As some of you will know, my hubby wasn't overly keen on coming to SFO, he was a bit concerned he wouldn't enjoy it. I later found out he was expecting it to be full of screaming queens, so he was surprised by how laid back the city is, and within 24 hrs was starting to like the place, and within a couple of days we'd both fallen in love with SFO.
In comparing it to BOS he found the accent on the west coast softer and not so ear splitting. Aside from that SFO has given us the same vibe as Vancouver, Japan etc, and we've felt really at home. The people are all genuinely friendly, the hotel was fantastic and the staff couldn't be faulted. The food is good and we always managed to find something that suits us both as we have differing tastes. Although armed with a list of restaurant recommendations I'd got from a thread on the forum, I had discounted some as pretentious and possibly overrated, which I knew he wouldn't like even if I might. But we did try Dosa, and that was excellent South Indian food. After going to pray at Macy's 3 days in a row, one of the sales assistants recommended Tadich Grill on California, just 2 blocks from our hotel. So off we went and it was superb, very busy and earthy, and great food that we both like.
We used a citypass for some attractions, which included the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Maybe some of you have been, but we thought it would simply be a 90 minute - 2 hour job and then we planned to check out the park. We emerged 5 hours later, there was so much to see, with 2 new exhibits, couldn't believe it. With no time left for the park that day we headed back to our hotel. We made plans to return a couple of days later after going to Macy's. Well that didn't work out either as we were a good while in there, where my Amex took a good beating, and then hubby announced he was tired, so we crashed out for the afternoon. We never did get back to GGP. We'd booked the Alcatraz night tour well in advance, and went out mid morning and didn't return until well after 11 that night, which is unheard of for us as our usual routine involves a little siesta every afternoon! Alcatraz was excellent. The Castro was probably the best gay village we've been to, as those in Vancouver and Toronto for example were run down and a bit like a ghetto, whilst The Castro was vibrant and a nice place to be. We visited the GLBT History Museum, very moving.
Anyway, that's the highlights. We've decided to return next year, there were numerous places we didn't go and things we didn't do. I've even been told I can stay for SFO Pride next year, but we'll see...
Last edited by Bretty on 29 Jun 2015, 21:59, edited 2 times in total.
At the end of the jetway TURN LEFT and... champagne, champagne for everyone 
(Mrs P having exactly the same as you). SFO is a fabulous city, one of our favourites in the U.S., as it just has a little bit of everything and all at whatever pace you want it.
