31-comparing-amtraks-contemporary-and-traditional-dininghttps://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/31-comparing-amtraks-contemporary-and-traditional-dining/Comparing Amtrak's 'contemporary' and traditional dining | Trains MagazineTrains magazine offers railroad news, railroad industry insight, commentary on today's freight railroads, passenger service (Amtrak), locomotive technology, railroad preservation and history, railfan opportunities (tourist railroads, fan trips), and great railroad photography.InStockUSD1.001.00news-wirenews-reviewsarticleTRN2020-11-032018-07-3121688
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In mid-July, Amtrak announced it had added a hot-meal option to the pre-packaged lunch and dinner service on the Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited, where it replaced full dining-car service. The original form of that service, as sampled on the Lake Shore, was examined in “Amtrak debuts cold ‘contemporary’ meals” [“Passenger, September 2018 Trains] and illustrated in greater detail in a News Wire photo gallery [“A look at Amtrak’s new cold meal service,” Trains News Wire, July 5, 2018.]
A journey departing Chicago on July 21 to High Point, N.C., provided an opportunity to evaluate the hot entrée and traveler reaction to “contemporary” dining on the Capitol, and sample “traditional” service as a coach passenger on the Crescent’s dining car.
Jim Proffitt, VP of research and development for Toledo, Ohio-based Autotec Engineering, takes a skeptical “first look” at the “Beef Short Rib” hot entrée substituted into the Capitol Limited’s menu for the “Chilled Grilled Beef Tenderloin Salad.”It is served with a plastic-packaged salad and a jar of salted caramel cheese cake (still in the box). Traveling on Amtrak Guest Reward points, Proffitt opted for a roomette from Chicago to Toledo to try out the new menu.
The new addition is described as a “slow braised beef short rib with polenta and mixed baby vegetables in a red wine and beer sauce.” This image shows a cross-section of the entrée after a few bites to reveal a texture similar to tough pot roast. As delivered, it resembles a round mound of gravy-covered meat. The beef sauce mixes with the vegetables and polenta in the black plastic bowl. Proffitt had to look at the menu again to identify the polenta, which at first he thought might be “bland corn bread.” However, a woman at the next table declared, “It is moist and some of the best polenta I’ve ever had.” She did note that her cheesecake jar was cracked upon arrival; no substitute was offered.
The Capitol Limited’s “Cross Country Café” dining car was converted from a full diner in a mid-2000s effort to cut costs and boost revenue, offering all-day dining by combining snack-bar and full-meal service under one roof. It has now become a “sleeping-car passengers only” lounge. The café lead service attendant has moved back downstairs to the adjacent Sightseer Lounge. One problem with this informal set-up is that the car becomes noisy and relatively uninviting when passengers sitting by themselves begin carrying on conversations with people at other tables, as is often the case.
Kristen and Buddy Bingaman of Middleburg, Va., opted to eat breakfast the next morning in their roomette. Their journey from Emeryville, Cal., to Chicago on the California Zephyr was marred by an air conditioning failure that began about three hours into the trip and lasted all the way to Chicago. (They were downgraded to coach but went back to the sleeper at night). They thought the meals in the Zephyr’s dining car were varied, tasty, and well-prepared compared to the Capitol’s selections. Kristen says, “I like the fresh fruit, but I’m sure there is a lot of waste—food that people will throw out because they don’t want it.” Since Trains News Wire’s Lake Shore Limited trip of June 17, the lone breakfast selection now contains a low-fat yogurt parfait instead of vanilla Greek yogurt, and no longer offers either “banana pecan breakfast bread” or a “Kind-brand dark chocolate, nut, and sea salt bar.”
One “breakfast box” (shown here minus the fruit, eaten in the dining car) fills up the fold-down roomette table. The blueberry muffin is sealed in a plastic dish on the right. Norfolk Southern en route delays totaled 3 hours departing Pittsburgh, but no lunch was announced or served even though the Washington, D.C. arrival would be after 4 p.m. A crew member said passengers were entitled to snack packs of cheese and crackers, but only if the train were running more than 4 hours late; meals would be put aboard after any 6-hour delay. An attendant said sleeping car passengers did get Chick-fil-A meals at Pittsburgh on one of his trips, but this was a Sunday, when that restaurant chain is closed. The muffin became a welcome afternoon snack.
Headed south out of Washington on the Crescent, the Amfleet II café car opened about 10 minutes after departure and stayed busy with lined-up patrons for almost an hour. Meanwhile, a man’s voice advised, “If you are holding a 6:45 p.m. dinner reservation, please make your way to the dining car.” But the announcement was followed 15 seconds later by a woman’s voice, admonishing, “Sleepers only! Sleepers only!” Two coach passengers did find a table in the café car about a half hour later, thinking it was the dining car. Advised that the diner was the next car, the women left, but soon returned. “You were right, that was the dining car,” one said, “but we can’t afford the prices.”
The 6:45 p.m. seating in Viewliner II diner Atlanta was sold-out. A waiter suggested, “just come in” an hour later. There were a few empty tables that hadn’t been cleared (passengers had also dined before the train arrived into Washington) and we joined a couple from Newark, N.J., destined for Atlanta, Ga., making their first overnight Amtrak trip. With the late afternoon sun streaming in as the Crescent bounded through the Virginia countryside, the car was bright and airy compared to the slit-windowed café next door, or the “window seat” assigned by the coach attendant on the sold-out train. Seat 57, next to a passenger going to Greenville, S.C. at the front of Amfleet II coach no. 25053 under the dazzling overhead light which stayed on all night, has plenty of legroom, but no window.
Amtrak has normally revised its dining car offerings at least twice per year, usually in spring and fall, but the “0917” designation on the back of the Crescent menu confirms that no changes had been made since September 2017. This menu lists the same items as those on a Silver Meteor-Capitol Limited trip in May 2018. The roll was warm and the chipotle sauce accompanying the perfectly-cooked salmon was excellent, just as Amtrak executive chef Daniel Malzhan said it would be during his culinary demonstration at the Rail Passengers Association Chicago meeting last November. But Malzhan and his food and beverage boss, Tom Hall, both took a buyout and left the company in December. What’s next from a cost-obsessed, revenue-oblivious management team that implemented the Capitol and Lake Shore Limited food service changes in the name of being “contemporary?” Who knows?
16 thoughts on “Comparing Amtrak’s ‘contemporary’ and traditional dining
NEWSWIRE”
My wife and I returned from Florida two weeks ago after riding the Silver Star from Washington to Tampa and return. I had new trackage riding the Star’s route inland on the former ACL. We rode the Silver Meteor a few years ago with the diner to Orlando and the diner was definitely better. A trip of that length should have a full service dining car, not just a dinette/lounge car. We were coach passengers, by the way. Both cars belong on long distance trains.
I am constantly amazed at the garb of many people in places where you’d think they would dress better. I’m retired, and my life is casual almost all the time, but there are just some times when it’s a good idea to dress up a little-and take one’s hat off.
As far as MRE’s-at this point, you might be better off with them. I read in the dead trees edition of Trains that the coach riders were not even allowed in the diner, so you might not have much other choice but MRE’s. I look at it this way: I don’t care if I’m allowed to bring my own food or not. Amtrak is not providing a decent, or even reasonable, meal service. Therefore, I’m coming on with my own provisions. Don’t like it?? Run a diner. Expect a fight if you think you’re taking my dinner away.
It’s probably too much to expect the glory days to return. I rode quite a bit in the late 70’s and early 80’s when there was still a lot of institutional memory for the old days, even with service downgraded from private operators, and some of the heritage equipment was still in play. I ate in ex Pennsy twin unit diners on the Broadway, and a real, honest to God Southern Railway diner on the Crescent. We’ll never see that again. But this is ridiculous.
George Pins: The green eyeshade and galluses days are looking really good right now.
Me,my wife and Daughter recently rode the Coast Starlight. The real food was good( I had steak, my Daughter had risotto, my Wife had sweet potato gnocchi) on nice plates. Service was very good. We also had the Rails and Trails guys. Three thumbs up from Amtrak from the Brown family.
During the last thirty years we have had many delightful trips on Amtrak always in a sleeper and we have greatly enjoyed the food and service quality in the diner. We have traveled on many long distance trains. Cold contemporary meals are a huge disappointment and not what we paid for and expected when we booked a sleeper on the Lake Shore Limited and the Capitol Limited for November 2018. What a horrible bait and switch! This is hard to believe that this was even considered or worse instituted. What is Mr. Richard Andersson, Amtrak CEO, trying to accomplish? i think a substantial refund is in order. Return to the traditional hot meals and service that had been provided in the diner without delay.
I get it that Amtrak is under the gun from Congress to contain its food costs, but it can surely do better than serving up this stuff that looks like something from a hospital cafeteria. And these are the “entrees” for first-class passengers, no less! What culinary humiliations are being forced on the coach passengers? I’m guessing this is all part of Mr. Anderson’s ongoing attempt to run a railroad as if it’s an airline.
I recall that during W. Graham Claytor’s tenure as Amtrak’s CEO, he often got out of D.C. headquarters to ride the trains, talk to employees, and generally get a first-hand, up-close look at the operation. When was the last time CEO Anderson rode his railroad? Has he ever done so?
One more thought — if you don’t like the way Amtrak upper management is running the show, contact your congressional representatives and let them know about it. That’s the only way this thing gets fixed.
This is an insult to the traveling public. I took the Capital from Cleveland to DC R/T with a roomette both ways. The breakfast that was offered was so-so. My return trip I thought I would try the one and only hot meal. 6 PM and they were already out of it. A person in jail or prison get better food then what Amtrak is offering. Shame on you. Get real and go back to full dinning service with hot meals.
Having ridden the Lake Shore in both June and July and tasted the new meals. my first comment is that they are not up to dining car standards. My biggest complaint was the blueberry muffin which of course is served chilled. Who at home keeps muffins chilled. The attendant in the dining car asked me what I thought, and I said “muffin would have been fine if it were warm” She replied that she could heat it, but it was too late. The next trip, I asked if she could heat the muffin, which she did and it was very enjoyable. Could have use some butter, but they have none. She said that they were “tweaking” the menus – they now were carrying milk, which was not available for the first few weeks.
Having just returned from a trip on the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Philadelphia, and returning from Pittsburgh to Chicago, the current meal and breakfast options are INSULTING for those who spend a premium to ride in the sleepers.
I recently saw an article in a certain national newspaper (that Amtrak has been known to hand out) that read like it had been written by Amtrak’s propaganda and disinformation department, as it sounded verbatim with the nonsense coming out of Amtrak about how wonderful and improved the new meals on the Cap and LSL are. Obviously, and unfortunately, Amtrak’s new CEO thinks passengers are too stupid to know they are getting screwed over by his incompetency and that if he just feeds them enough b.s., things will be fine.
First, George, you are not a pitiful remnant of the old days. I was taught quite firmly that I do not wear a hat on a mess deck, nor in a sick bay. It is a sign of respect.
Second, it looks as if it is time to break out the MREs. Does anyone know if they are allowed on AMTRAK?
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Go find your own damn lawyer.
Am I just another pitiful remnent of the green eye-shade and galluses crowd when I say that gentlemen do not wear hats when seated in dining cars? I get it that casual attire is acceptable, but could you take your damn hat off?
My wife and I returned from Florida two weeks ago after riding the Silver Star from Washington to Tampa and return. I had new trackage riding the Star’s route inland on the former ACL. We rode the Silver Meteor a few years ago with the diner to Orlando and the diner was definitely better. A trip of that length should have a full service dining car, not just a dinette/lounge car. We were coach passengers, by the way. Both cars belong on long distance trains.
Anna Harding:
I am constantly amazed at the garb of many people in places where you’d think they would dress better. I’m retired, and my life is casual almost all the time, but there are just some times when it’s a good idea to dress up a little-and take one’s hat off.
As far as MRE’s-at this point, you might be better off with them. I read in the dead trees edition of Trains that the coach riders were not even allowed in the diner, so you might not have much other choice but MRE’s. I look at it this way: I don’t care if I’m allowed to bring my own food or not. Amtrak is not providing a decent, or even reasonable, meal service. Therefore, I’m coming on with my own provisions. Don’t like it?? Run a diner. Expect a fight if you think you’re taking my dinner away.
It’s probably too much to expect the glory days to return. I rode quite a bit in the late 70’s and early 80’s when there was still a lot of institutional memory for the old days, even with service downgraded from private operators, and some of the heritage equipment was still in play. I ate in ex Pennsy twin unit diners on the Broadway, and a real, honest to God Southern Railway diner on the Crescent. We’ll never see that again. But this is ridiculous.
George Pins: The green eyeshade and galluses days are looking really good right now.
Me,my wife and Daughter recently rode the Coast Starlight. The real food was good( I had steak, my Daughter had risotto, my Wife had sweet potato gnocchi) on nice plates. Service was very good. We also had the Rails and Trails guys. Three thumbs up from Amtrak from the Brown family.
During the last thirty years we have had many delightful trips on Amtrak always in a sleeper and we have greatly enjoyed the food and service quality in the diner. We have traveled on many long distance trains. Cold contemporary meals are a huge disappointment and not what we paid for and expected when we booked a sleeper on the Lake Shore Limited and the Capitol Limited for November 2018. What a horrible bait and switch! This is hard to believe that this was even considered or worse instituted. What is Mr. Richard Andersson, Amtrak CEO, trying to accomplish? i think a substantial refund is in order. Return to the traditional hot meals and service that had been provided in the diner without delay.
Golly that looks yummy – just like something that might be served in a North Korean prison. )-:
I get it that Amtrak is under the gun from Congress to contain its food costs, but it can surely do better than serving up this stuff that looks like something from a hospital cafeteria. And these are the “entrees” for first-class passengers, no less! What culinary humiliations are being forced on the coach passengers? I’m guessing this is all part of Mr. Anderson’s ongoing attempt to run a railroad as if it’s an airline.
I recall that during W. Graham Claytor’s tenure as Amtrak’s CEO, he often got out of D.C. headquarters to ride the trains, talk to employees, and generally get a first-hand, up-close look at the operation. When was the last time CEO Anderson rode his railroad? Has he ever done so?
One more thought — if you don’t like the way Amtrak upper management is running the show, contact your congressional representatives and let them know about it. That’s the only way this thing gets fixed.
This is an insult to the traveling public. I took the Capital from Cleveland to DC R/T with a roomette both ways. The breakfast that was offered was so-so. My return trip I thought I would try the one and only hot meal. 6 PM and they were already out of it. A person in jail or prison get better food then what Amtrak is offering. Shame on you. Get real and go back to full dinning service with hot meals.
Having ridden the Lake Shore in both June and July and tasted the new meals. my first comment is that they are not up to dining car standards. My biggest complaint was the blueberry muffin which of course is served chilled. Who at home keeps muffins chilled. The attendant in the dining car asked me what I thought, and I said “muffin would have been fine if it were warm” She replied that she could heat it, but it was too late. The next trip, I asked if she could heat the muffin, which she did and it was very enjoyable. Could have use some butter, but they have none. She said that they were “tweaking” the menus – they now were carrying milk, which was not available for the first few weeks.
Having just returned from a trip on the Capitol Limited from Chicago to Philadelphia, and returning from Pittsburgh to Chicago, the current meal and breakfast options are INSULTING for those who spend a premium to ride in the sleepers.
I recently saw an article in a certain national newspaper (that Amtrak has been known to hand out) that read like it had been written by Amtrak’s propaganda and disinformation department, as it sounded verbatim with the nonsense coming out of Amtrak about how wonderful and improved the new meals on the Cap and LSL are. Obviously, and unfortunately, Amtrak’s new CEO thinks passengers are too stupid to know they are getting screwed over by his incompetency and that if he just feeds them enough b.s., things will be fine.
Very sad.
Richard Pomery, there are long, detailed captions under each photo, eight in all.
Where is the article. What are the comments. Pictures are worth a 1000 words. But a story would be priceless
The plastic bowl should be larger and sectioned off . The food does not look to bad .
First, George, you are not a pitiful remnant of the old days. I was taught quite firmly that I do not wear a hat on a mess deck, nor in a sick bay. It is a sign of respect.
Second, it looks as if it is time to break out the MREs. Does anyone know if they are allowed on AMTRAK?
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Go find your own damn lawyer.
Am I just another pitiful remnent of the green eye-shade and galluses crowd when I say that gentlemen do not wear hats when seated in dining cars? I get it that casual attire is acceptable, but could you take your damn hat off?
I say “garbage!” Let’s trash it, along with the guy who brought it in.