Singapore First Class to Hong Kong

SQ2
SIN-HKG-SFO
5:50P-8:30P
September 23, 2010
777-300ER (77W)
First Class
Seats 2CD

After 10 fabulous days from New York to Paris to Singapore, the prospect of another city (even if it is Hong Kong), airport transfer and hotel was not quite as attractive as it seemed when we planned our trip 6 months earlier. When neither of us could sleep at 3AM Thursday and Mrs. SFO hinted that she'd rather be home, we decided that we would pass on Hong Kong this time (especially since we'll be there in four months) and just go all the way back to SFO today. According to EF, both SQ2 (SIN-HKG-SFO) and SQ16 (SIN-ICN-SFO) showed at least A2 all the way thru SFO. Fortunately, it was still noon in SFO and I was able to speak to my SQ sales rep, who changed our reservation and reissued our ticket. Strangely though, her SFO SQ system first showed no availability. Then a half hour later, she texted me confirming that she now was able to confirm availability of either SQ2 or SQ16. Perhaps SIN pulls inventory from the field on the flight day??

SQ2
SIN-HKG
5:50P-9:35P

After 2+ hours in The Private Room, we made our way downstairs thru security and Gate A2.

As boarding was already well under way, there was no line in the First/Business lane to the left of podium. Another warm welcome and we were in our seats. Another 77W so I'll dispense with a repeat of the cabin pics. This leg of our trip was a regional flight and I got the sense that it was a regional crew that was perhaps not experienced or as refined in the fine art of SQ transcontinental long-haul. It just little things like no offer of blankets (I had to ask), and not quite the frequent and efficient topping of drinks. My first G&T came with a small pour, the second pre-mixed (with too much tonic) from the galley. And during meal selection, I heard something I never though i would hear on SQ... "I'm sorry we've run out of the lobster". The signature chef on the SIN-HKG leg was Singapore's own Sam Leong. Even though I ordered Sam's selections, I had to ask for chop sticks, twice. "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you meant with the duck."

Tonight's SIN-HKG menu...
Sam's Choice
Dinner
Desserts and Cheese

And the wine list for both SIN-HKG and HKG-SFO...
Champagne and Whites
Reds and Port

Once again, other than the Dom and Krug, the wine list was underwhelming and I stayed with the Krug tonight. But again with the Buena Vista Chardonnay and Mondavi Cab. Does SQ really think these are First Class wines??

G&T with Cashews and today's Chronicle.

Sam's Assorted Asian appetizer was excellent.

The Double Boiled Chicken broth with bamboo piths and crab claw was sensational.

But the oriental roast duck and Chinese seasonal greens, mushrooms and steamed rice was tasteless and borderline inedible. I didn't realize until later that a BTC option x-SIN was Singapore Chicken Rice, which, OMG, I would have ordered in a heartbeat. Mrs. SFO's lobster was a little better but nowhere near the wow category. But considering there was another meal in 4 hours, it was probably just as well that I didn't pig out.

Another on time arrival. Unfortunately, we arrived at Gate A19 and thru pax had to deplane, walk a quarter mile just to get thru the jetway and reclear security.