Sometimes the Polaris stars align and you find a perfect steak in the place you least expect…on an airplane. That’s the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week.
Earlier this week I flew from Tokyo to Los Angeles on United. I tend to avoid steak and order fish or lamb, but the beef filet with Café de Paris butter sounded appetizing. What a good choice it was!
I’ve written about a few particularly goods steaks I’ve had in the past: one on Asiana, one on Austrian, and one on SWISS.
My steak on United wasn’t better than any of those, but it was delicious. Very delicious. Everything about the meal was actually delicious.
The appetizer included a refreshing green salad, a tasty chicken/cheese appetizer, and delicious garlic bread and pretzels rolls.
I was expecting a tiny steak, but it was HUGE. Placed on top cooked spinach and roasted potatoes, it was not only beautifully presented but smelled delicious. But how would it taste? It was time for the moment of truth.
I cut the steak, noticing immediately it was a tender cut of meat. Look at that: a perfect medium rare!
Sometimes steaks look great but taste like rubber. This steak looked great and tasted great.
After the steak, I enjoyed a cheese course followed by an ice cream sundae.
CONCLUSION
I credit United’s catering in Tokyo Narita for the great meal. I really enjoyed it and would rank it the best meal I’ve had on United since my rack of lamb to Kuwait over three years.
Wow. Just, wow. I’ve seen pictures of steaks on Qatar Airways that were just 100% grey and overcooked. That kind of medium rare is a beautiful sight.
The steak looks great. I just flew Denver to Maui on United and they should be embarrassed. The meal was awful, 2 oz chicken with some cheese grits. The entire meal could not have cost more than a dollar.It was the worst thing I have ever seen and the taste was horrible. There are only 12 seats in first class it wouldn’t cost that much to enhance that meal. Really a sandwich would have been better.
Why one would fly United from Tokyo is beyond me given the fact there are much better alternatives
I actually can’t say I’m totally surprised. One of the best airplane steaks I’ve had was on United, on a relatively short flight from PTY to IAH no less. This was a short flight and didn’t have a meal choice, but boy was I relieved that they brought their A game with the beef!
Wunderbar.
UA in J is stepping up its game. I flew NRT-EWR and have no complaints.
This happened because you were flying out of Japan, not because United is great. 😉
looks very good. And this coming from a guy who hates flying UA>
I had the exact same steak two weeks ago NRT-EWR. Couldn’t agree more with your assessment – was one of the best meals I’ve ever had on United
That is an objectively nice looking piece of meat. Good stuff!
Gross.