10.293

25 (Fri) October 2019

Skinless Chicken Skewers Served with Barley and Porcini Salad, Light Sage Jus

2.0

on board Singapore Airlines – SQ 918

-Singapore en route to Manila-

solo

Mission to New Zealand, Day 7.

• Day 1 (10.287 Lamb Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
• Day 2 (10.288 Te Mana Frenched Lamb Rack)
• Day 3 (10.289 Bacon-Scallop Rolls)
• Day 4 (10.290 Fish with Salsa Verde)
• Day 5 (10.291 Wellington Sourdough)
• Day 6 (10.292 Bomber)

In transit.  In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and National Ethics Advisory Committee, I was in Wellington to coordinate the proceedings of the Second Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting for National Ethics/Bioethics Committees, Tuesday to Wednesday.  I had also coordinated the first AP-NEC meeting two years ago in Seoul (see 8.292 Grilled Lamb).  On my way back home to Manila.

BREAKFAST

First look at the Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge in Wellington.  As in any lounge, the breakfast offerings were minimal.

As always, I am grateful for and respectful of the opportunity to travel, especially via business class, including lounge access.  Any comments here, even the negative ones, are simply relative to other business class experiences, not complaints per se.

LUNCH

Christchurch to Singapore.

Rather than the fancy chef-branded items – e.g., Roasted Pork Belly in Spiced Apple Sauce with carrots, green beans, fennel, cherry tomato, and hazelnut dressing, exclusively created by Matt Moran of Aria Restaurant, Sydney, la-di-fucking-da – I opted for what would presumably be the safer Asian dishes within the core competencies of Singapore Airlines.

DINNER

Should’ve gone with the fancy chef-branded items, if only for fun.

EVENING SNACK

A quick break in the much smaller yet still competent SilverKris lounge in Terminal 2.

BEST IN LOUNGE – an on-going ranking of dining experiences in business lounges:

1. TURKEY, Istanbul (IST): Istanbul Ataturk Airport – Turkish Airlines Lounge (8.052 Köfte + Piliç) (9.056 Pide)
2. SINGAPORE (SIN): Singapore Changi Airport (Terminal 3) – SilverKris Business Class Lounge (6.237 Coconut Panna Cotta) (10.287 Lamb Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
3. JORDAN, Amman (AMM): Queen Alia International Airport – Petra Lounge (9.267 Dukkah-Spiced Salmon)
4. QATAR, Doha (DOH): Hamnad International Airport – Al Mourjan Lounge (10.169 Mini Sliders); (10.174 Chicken Kabsa)
5. NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam (AMS): Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – KLM Crown Lounge (6.311 Beef & Beetroot Meatballs)
6. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Abu Dhabi (AUH): Abu Dhabi International Airport – Etihad Airways Lounge (6.154 Shakshouka)
7. JAPAN, Tokyo (HND): Haneda Airport International Terminal (8.202 Clam and Spicy Tofu Stew)
8. CHINA, Hong Kong SAR (HKG): Hong Kong International Airport – Club Autus Lounge (10.042 Grilled Peri Peri Chicken Thigh)
9. AUSTRALIA, Brisbane (BNE): Brisbane Airport – Singapore Airlines Lounge (6.242 Scallops)
10. NEW ZEALAND, Aukland (AUK): Aukland Airport – Strata Lounge (10.118 Awhi Farms Savannah Grass-Fed Beef Bone-In Sirloin)
11. KOREA, Seoul/Incheon (ICN): Incheon International Airport (Terminal 2) – Korean Air Prestige Lounge (East) (9.016 Probably the Best Mul Naeng Myeon); (10.110 Grilled Tenderloin with Rosemary Sauce)
12. JORDAN, Amman (AMM): Queen Alia International Airport – Royal Jordanian Crown Lounge (6.159 Memories of Hummus)
13. THAILAND, Bangkok (BKK): Suvarnabhumi Airport – Royal Silk Lounge  (7.306 Fried Black Cod …)
14. GERMANY, Munich (MUC): Flughafen München – Lufthansa Lounge (6.307 Chicken in Cream Sauce)
15. RUSSIA, Moscow (DME): Moscow Domodedovo Airport (5.286 Chili Mango Prawns)
16. FIJI, Nadi (NAD): Nadi International Airport – Fiji Airways Premier Lounge (10.230 Seared Humpty Doo Barramundi)
17. SINGAPORE (SIN): Singapore Changi Airport (Terminal 2) – SilverKris Business Class Lounge (10.293 Skinless Chicken Skewers Served with Barley and Porcini Salad, Light Sage Jus)
18. PHILIPPINES, Manila (MNL): Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 3) – SilverKris Lounge (10.287 Lamb Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
19. CHINA, Hong Kong SAR (HKG): Hong Kong International Airport – Cathay Pacific Lounge (The Wing) (5.182 Har Gao); (10.049 Termite Mushroom Steamed Halibut)
20. CHINA, Shanghai (PVG): Shanghai Pudong International Airport – No. 77 China Eastern Plaza Premium Lounge (10.201 Classic Shanghai Noodle with Spring Onion Oil)
21. PHILIPPINES, Manila (MNL): Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 3) – Cathay Pacific Lounge (10.042 Grilled Peri Peri Chicken Thigh)
22. SINGAPORE: Singapore Changi Airport (Terminal 1), Plaza Premium Lounge (10.160 Chicken Rice + Ramen)
23. INDIA, New Delhi (DEL): Indira Gandhi International Airport (7.313 Braised Pork Balls)
24. MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur (KUL): Kuala Lumpur International Airport – AirAsia Premium Red Lounge (9.183 Grilled Y/F Tuna Steak)
25. KOREA, Seoul/Incheon (ICN): Incheon International Airport – Asiana Business Class Lounge (Satellite Terminal) (5.363 Past + Sandwich for the Elite)
26. KOREA, Seoul/Incheon (ICN): Incheon International Airport – Korean Air Prestige Lounge (Satellite Terminal) (6.090 Shin Ramyeon BLACK)
27. KOREA, Seoul/Incheon (ICN): Incheon International Airport – Star Alliance Lounge (2.036 Shin Ramyeon…)
28. SRI LANKA, Colombo (CMB): Bandaranaike International Airport (9.191 Grilled Beef Tenderloin)
29. PHILIPPINES, Manila (MNL): Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 3) – PAGSS Lounge (10.169 Mini Sliders)
30. LEBANON, Beirut (BEY): Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, LAT (Lebanese Air Transport) Lounge (9.336 Sea Bass en Papillote)
31. MALDIVES, Male (MLE): Velana International Airport (9.191 Grilled Beef Tenderloin)
32. AUSTRALIA, Sydney (SYD): Sydney Airport, Qantas International Business Lounge (10.217 Stir-Fried Salt and Pepper Tofu)
33. NEW ZEALAND, Wellington (CHC): Christchurch International Airport, Air New Zealand Business Class Lounge (10.293 Skinless Chicken Skewers Served with Barley and Porcini Salad, Light Sage Jus)
34. PHILIPPINES, Manila (MNL): Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 1) – PAGSS Lounge (9.330 Parrot Fish with Sweet & Sour Sauce)
35. USA, New York (JFK): John F Kennedy International Airport – Korean Air Lounge (7.039 Sauteed Cod Fillet)
36. TUNISIA, Tunis (TUN): Tunis-Carthage Airport – Espace Privilege Lounge (10.174 Chicken Kabsa)
37. SWITZERLAND, Geneva (GVA): Geneva International Airport (6.311 Beef & Beetroot Meatballs)
38. PHILIPPINES, Manila (MNL): Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 1) – MIASCOR Lounge (4.272 Chicken Curry…); (6.305 Chicken Congee)
39. FIJI, Nadi (NAD): Nadi International Airport (5.181 Sliced Roast Lamb)
40. USA, Los Angeles (LAX): Los Angeles International Airport – Korean Air Lounge (9.361 Beef Bulgogi)
41. MONGOLIA, Ulaanbataar (ULN): Chinggis Khaan International Airport (10.061 Stock Soup of Bone and Stew Meat)

LATE-NIGHT DINNER

Singapore to Manila.

A final opportunity for Singapore Airlines to impress.

With the silly description on the menu and the flight attendant’s recommendation as an excellent light option – also having just had a snack in the lounge and dinner on the previous flight – I couldn’t resist.

Ugh.  In fact, the starchy grains of barley were quite filling – not in a good way.

I wonder what the Fillet of Sole and Mussel with “Sauce Normand,” plus asparagus, semi-dried tomato, fettucine pasta, and ginger cream sauce, was like.

MIDNIGHT SNACK

The best dish of the entire trip was Tom Yam Noodles – instant cup noodles with shredded chicken (they were out of prawns) and fresh veg tossed in at the end.

And so, Singapore Airlines loses the top spot and drops down to number 5.

BEST IN FLIGHT – an on-going ranking of dining experiences on business class flights:

1. Turkish Airlines: MNL > IST (8.046 Grilled Seafood Selections); GVA > IST (8.051 Fresh Herb Baby Chicken); IST > MNL (8.052 Köfte + Piliç); MNL > IST > GVA (9.050 Grilled Seafood Selection); GVA > IST (9.055 Grilled Lamb Chop); ICT > MNL (9.056 Pide); MNL > IST (9.330 Parrot Fish with Sweet & Sour Sauce); BEY > IST > MNL (9.336 Sea Bass en Papilotte)
2. Qatar Airlines: MNL > DOH > DME (5.279 Assorted Hot Mezzah); DME > DOH > MNL (5.286 Chili Mango Prawns); MNL > DOH > TUN (10.168 Mini Sliders); TUN > DOH > MNL (10.174 Chicken Kabsa)
3. Qantas Airways: MNL > SYD > NAD (10.217 Stir-Fried Salt and Pepper Tofu); NAD > SYD > HKG (10.223 Seared Humpty Doo Barramundi)
4. Singapore Airlines: MNL > SIN > BNE (6.237 Coconut Panna Cotta); BNE > SIN > MNL (6.243 Ggongchi Kimchi Jjigae); MNL > SIN > CHC (10.287 Lamb Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce); CHC > SIN > MNL (10.293 Skinless Chicken Skewers Served with Barley and Porcini Salad, Light Sage Jus)
5. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: GVA > AMS > ICN (6.311 Beef & Beetroot Meatballs)
6. Asiana Airlines: MNL > ICN (2.036 Shin Ramyeon…); MNL > ICN (4.272 Chicken Curry with Raisin Biryani); ICN > MNL (6.048 Ssambap); MNL > ICN (6.305 Chicken Congee); ICN > MNL (6.321 Ssambap); ICN > MNL (8.261 Ssambap)
7. Etihad Airways: MNL > AUH > AMM (6.154 Shakshouka); AMM > AUH > MNL (6.160 Zaalou-Crusted Chicken Breast); AUH > AMM (9.261 Prawns Machboos); AMM > AUH (9.267 Dukkah-Spiced Salmon); AUH > MNL (9.268 Malabar Grouper)
8. Korean Air: ICN > NAD (5.175 Prestigious Repast); MNL > ICN (6.021 Bibimbap); MNL > ICN > NAD (6.101 Coconut Carrot Cream Soup); NAD > ICN > MNL (6.111 Asparagus Cream Soup); ICN > NAD (6.314 Bibimbap); NAD > ICN (6.319 Seared Seafood…); MNL > ICN > JFK (7.032 Manhattan); JFK > ICN (7.039 Sauteed Cod Fillet); ICN > MNL (7.041 Gom Tang); MNL > ICN (9.012 Chicken in Tomato Sauce with Pasta); MLE > CMB > ICN (9.191 Grilled Beef Tenderloin); ICN > MNL (9.193 Roasted Halibut with Dill Cream Sauce); MNL > ICN > NAD (9.284 Feta Cheese with Sliced Fig and Parma Ham); NAD > ICN > MNL (9.287 Spicy Squid & Bean Sprout Stir-Fry with Rice); ICN > LAX (9.349 Pea Sprouts with Garlic); LAX > ICN (9.361 Beef Bulgogi); ICN > MNL (9.362 Bibimbap); ULN > ICN (10.061 Stock Soup of Bone and Stew Meat); MNL > ICN > NAD (10.110 Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary Sauce); ICN > NAD (10.185 Mixed Seafood with Beet Emulsion); ICN > MNL (10.196 Bibimbap)
9. Thai Airways: MNL > BKK > DEL (7.306 Fried Black Cod …); DEL > BKK > MNL (7.313 Braised Pork Balls)
10. Cathay Pacific Airways: HKG > MNL (5.182 Har Gao); HKG > MNL (10.049 Termite Mushroom Steamed Halibut)
11. Deutsche Lufthansa: ICN > MUC > GVA (6.307 Chicken in Cream Sauce)
12. Fiji Airways: NAD > HKG (5.181 Sliced Roast Lamb); HKG > NAD (10.042 Grilled Peri Peri Chicken Thigh); NAD > HKG (10.049 Termite Mushroom Steamed Halibut); NAD > AUK (10.118 Awhi Farms Savannah Grass-Fed Beef Bone-In Sirloin)
13. Philippine Airlines: MNL > MEL (5.335 Chicken Tausi); AUK > MNL (10.118 Awhi Farms Savannah Grass-Fed Beef Bone-In Sirloin)

AMM = Amman // AMS = Amsterdam // AUH = Abu Dhabi // AUK = Auckland // BEY = Beirut // BKK = Bangkok // BNE = Brisbane // CHC = Christchurch // CMB = Colombo // DEL = New Delhi // DOH = Doha // DME (Domodedovo) = Moscow // GVA = Geneva // HKG = Hong Kong // ICN = Incheon // IST = Istanbul // JFK (John F Kennedy) = New York // LAX = Los Angeles // MEL = Melbourne // MLE = Male // MNL = Manila // MUC = Munich // NAD = Nadi // SIN = Singapore // SYD = Sydney // TUN = Tunis // ULN = Ulaanbataar // WLG = Wellington