14.050 Sea Bass Fillet

Cycle 14 – Item 50

24 (Fri) February 2023

Sea Bass Fillet

3.0

by Etihad Airways

on Flight EY 278

-Somewhere over the Arabian Sea-

solo

Living Aboard the MV Adora (Day -1/13)

In transit – Incheon to Abu Dhabi to Malé.  Heading to the Maldives for my 2nd liveaboard experience, on the same boat as my 1st experience (see previously 9.191 Grilled Beef Tenderloin).  For 10 days, I’ll be on the MV Adora, sailing through the Deep South Atolls, diving from the boat, while eating, drinking (mostly drinking), sleeping, i.e., “living aboard” the boat.

PRE-FLIGHT SNACK

Asiana Lounge East

(Incheon International Airport – Terminal 1)

My first visit to a business class lounge in almost exactly 3 years and 3 months (see most recently 10.321 Coconut Rice with Grilled Chicken & Papaya Salad).
The bar featured a new device that dispenses draft beer from the bottom up – only downside was that the cup was plastic.
The base of the cup is equipped with a plastic nozzle.
Korean-Chinese + Italian – Korea is the only country in my experience that boasts about its cuisine but doesn’t serve it in airport business lounges.
Food aside, I was thrilled to be back.

Etihad Airways is part of Star Alliance, hence the Asiana Lounge.

DINNER

Flight EY 857

(ICN > AUH)

Found a sweet deal for roundtrip tickets to the Maldives on Etihad Airways, via Abu Dhabi – business class, all the way, baby.  The total flight time will be around 14 hours, about 3.5 hours more than flying via Singapore or Malaysia.  But I was confident in my ability to suffer through a few additional hours in business class.  Also, the return trip will provide a 24-hour layover in Abu Dhabi, giving me a full day to explore the city.

The cabin.
My seat.
Devaux Grande Réserve Brut Champagne (NV): so cliché, yet essential to the business class experience to imbibe a glass (or two) of bubbly before takeoff.
Dopp kit by Acqua di Parma.

Etihad Airways currently ranks 7 out of 14 airlines on which I’ve had to privilege to dine in business class.  Prior to this trip, various meals on the airline have been featured in 5 posts on GMTD:

  1. MNL > AUH > AMM (6.154 Shakshouka)
  2. AMM > AUH > MNL (6.160 Zaalou-Crusted Chicken Breast)
  3. AUH > AMM (9.261 Prawns Machboos)
  4. AMM > AUH (9.267 Dukkah-Spiced Salmon)
  5. AUH > MNL (9.268 Malabar Grouper)
Fell asleep before getting around to trying any of the ALL DAY snacks.

As with prior experiences, I went with an Arabic-leaning selection of dishes.

Arabic Mezze (2.5): always reliable.
Lamb Tagine (1.5): the lamb was mostly fat.
Cheese Platter (2.5): never a big fan of grapes, but I’m starting to like them paired with cheese.

As always, I am grateful for and respectful of the opportunity to travel internationally, whether for fun or for work, whether on economy or business class, especially business class, including airport lounge access.

MIDNIGHT SNACK

Flight EY 278

(AUH > MLE)

When I boarded the final leg of the trip (Abu Dhabi to Malé), the time was 0600 in Korea, but only 0100 in UAE.  Not yet ready for breakfast.

The fish was fine, but kinda regretted passing on the lamb – the passenger next to me was eating it, which looked great.
Arabic Mezze (3.0): better this one, with tomato-infused something-or-other and deep-fried whatever-it-was.
Side Hustle Clear Skies: not an actual Japanese beer, but a “Japanese style” beer, made with rice, from USA.
Sea Bass Fillet (2.5): nice and light, like breakfast.

I will arrive in Malé early tomorrow morning.

(See also BOOZE)

(See also FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See also IN FLIGHT)

(See also BUSINESS CLASS DINING)

(See also BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGING)

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