BA First Class Chicago-London
First Class
Seats 2AK
747-400
G-CIVA (Old First)
8:35P-10:00A
September 25, 2012
When I check the NF status earlier in the day, I was disappointed to find out that we wouldn't experience the new F, especially since 297/296 had been tracking over 90% New First. Nevertheless, for an old cabin, it was attractive and clean, much nicer than the two relic QF 744s we endured earlier in the year.
OK, we're not talking CX here but for only 7 hours, the seats were quite comfortable...
After our last flights, Mrs. SFO complained that she wasn't seeing the attraction with all my 1AK choices, and wanted to get away from the closet action and try a row 2. Kudos to the Princess. IMO, 2AK is indeed the best combination of space and privacy even for a couple. We were able to communicate with each other easily, yet still have our own space. And 2A and 2K are still close enough that, with a good stretch of the arms, we could pass things to each other without getting up.
I had read mixed reviews of BA service in the BA forum, but tonight's crew was excellent. Friendly, professional, and seemingly always there to anticipate your needs. As we took our seats, various crew members stopped by to say hello and drop off amenity kits, PJs and pre departure Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle.
OK dude, you selected 1K. Why have your front window shade down??
Shortly after take off, our cabin crew jumped into action with cocktail service and menus...
Tonight's menu included creations from Simon Hulstone, apparently a recipient of a Michelin star. Yo Simon, if you are going to lend/sell/rent your name an airline, make sure they can deliver in flight.
While the Grand Siecle is a nice choice, the white wine offerings were not even remotely close to F quality. The two we tried were positively horrid, while the third, the St-Supery Sauvignon Blanc, Mrs. SFO uses as cooking wine at home. Mrs. SFO tried the 2010 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Chateniere. I had a sip and agreed it was undrinkable. She sent it back as did I sent back the equally awful 2009 Stefano Antonucci Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi Doc. We both went back to the safe Grand Siècle.
Wine List
After Dinner Selections
Breakfast
Our set up, carefully placed on our tray table...
Scallop brochette amuse bouche was very good.
Just not with the 2009 Stefano Antonucci Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi Doc. Mercifully still lots of Grand Siecle to go around.
The Seared hamachi with tanginesse of tagarashi, jalapeno and sumiso sauce with fava beans and toasted almonds sounded delicious and looked great. Unfortunately, that's where is ended. It simply lacked much taste at all. With all those ingredients, how about using them so we can taste them.
The Main: aka How about some pork fat with your veggies? 
Full disclosure: I love pork. And pork fat. Have so ever since my German grandmother fed me pigs tails when I was barely out of diapers. But whoa nellie. I've never seen anything quite like this. I opted for Simon's Pork belly with creamed celeriac and wild mushroom ragout, napa cabbage and crisp crackling. Once again sounded great, and I had visions of something like this: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/r...ts/pork-belly/
The presentation was quite nice and the wild mushroom ragout excellent...
But when I went to sample the pork, that pork belly turned out to be mostly fat, with just a morsel of rather tough pork. Yikes.
Cheese course with Warre's 1992 Colheita Tawny Port.
For dessert, I went with the Ice cream sundae with chocolate toppings.
Very good but would have been even better if someone hadn't taken the ice cream out of the freezer way too early.
Time to turn in for a few hours sleep before landing.
Declined breakfast but 1K went for it.
Fast Track and Arrivals lounge info/passes.
Our approach to LHR and more big birds.
In spite of the poor wines and disappointing inflight food, the overall impression was positive. Great crew, great service but the pre-flight First Dining at ORD was the topper. As others in the BA forum have noted, in future I would eat on the ground at ORD, have a few drinks on board and then go to sleep.
Next: BA Arrivals Lounge and off to Gatwick