London and ManUnited-Arsenal

Air France La Première Washington to Paris

After a pleasant few hours in the La Première Lounge, my La Première Personal Assistant came to retrive me and escort me across the concourse to tonight’s 77W to Paris. Excellent service and food on board before I managed to get nearly 4 hours of sleep on our short 7 hour flight. Another marvelous Air France La Première flight.

So nice to be back in the beautiful La Première cabin.  My Suite 1A.

My predeparture champagne water as Air France really disappoints by being so cheap so to not want to pay Virginia sales tax on alcohol on the ground.

Tonight's menu...

And wine list.  Typically and embarrassingly mediocre after the champagne.

Once in the air, the good stuff.

Showtime La Première style.

I decided to sample some of the other wines on the menu.  This Viognier was dreadful and undrinkable.  Back to the Rare.

The Carrot and Ginger soup was tasty.

Trying an otherwise respectable Bordeaux but sadly also undrinkable when just popped and poured without time to breathe.

The Sea Bass with miso sauce was outstanding.

With 5.5 hours to go to Paris, I was fortunate to get nearly 4 hours of sleep.

On arrival at Paris, my personal La Première assistant met me at the door of the plane and escorted me downstairs to my private Porsche to the La Première Lounge.

One last look...

A few minutes later, the best First Class Lounge in the world.

Say what??

With 75 minutes to enjoy the lounge, my first stop was a much needed shower.

Quiet room.

Time for breakfast Chez Alain Ducasse.

The wine is still embarrassingly weak for the French flag carrier.

But the Veuve Rosé is quite acceptable and lovely.

Fresh warm baguette.

And my go to dish any time of the day, Alain Ducasse Coquillettes Jambon/Truffe Noir aka Truffle Mac N Cheese.

At T-30, my personal assistant escorted my downstairs to our Porsche to my connecting flight gate.

Today's beautiful new A220.

Since boarding had already started, the jet bridge was full of passengers.  No problem at all, as my personal assistant excused us all the way to the front of the queue and the door of the plane.  LOL

Air France A220 offers the best of a generally miserable collection of European "fake" Business Class.  Economy seats with an open middle.  With the A220 2-3 seat configuration, the A side gets both seats.  Quite acceptable for the short flight .

I passed on breakfast but was able to snap a pic when 2DF both went to the loo.  Huh??

The French coast...

And a few minutes later, the English coast...

With an unusual approach and landing from the west, some cool pics...

Windsor Castle.

Welcome to London and Terminal 4.  And a great time to arrive as there was no line at immigration and the e-gates worked perfectly this morning. 

Instagram video of my La Première flight from Washington to Paris

Instagram video of my visit to the La Première Lounge in Paris and my flight from Paris to London

Dinner at FROG by Adam Handling

After a nap, it was over to Covent Garden for dinner at Michelin star FROG by Adam Handling.

Tonight's menu.

With wine pairing.

Lots of starter snacks.

And a lovely Taittinger to start.

A British wine??  With French grapes of course.  Was surprisingly good.

Fabulous Bread and Butter Chicken.

Sea Bream, Black Radish

Cod, fennel, green chili.

Quail part 1: Liver ravioli, bone tea, wild garlic.

Truffles anyone?  LOL

Quail part 2: Breast, thigh, leg and red pepper, asparagus.

Rhubarb and asparagus to complete a wonderful meal.

My Instagram video of our insane London foodie day

Old Trafford for Manchester United vs. Arsenal

What a treat for my first visit to Old Trafford and for a classic ManUnited-Arsenal game. After seeing new Spurs and Etihad stadium, it was great to be in a classic old stadium. Passionate fans hoping for a turnaround after a dismal season. Despite a slow start, United came on strong in the 2nd half and had numerous chances to pull out a victory. Our Treble Suite package included a very nice meal and excellent wines and great place to relax before and after the match.

Our home for the next 4 hours.  :)

Very nice champagne and wines.

Today's menu...

And wine list...

Yummy amuse-bouche.

A number of interesting guests including former United stars.

Someone is thrilled to be here. LOL

Delicious Caesar Tartlet, Crispy Anchovies, Confit Chicken with Parmesan Crisp and Quail Egg.

Spiced Cod Loin, Tandoori Potatoes, Curry Broth, Crispy Onion Bhaji.

£20 but no winner at this table.

And decadent Sticky Toffee Pudding to finish a really wonderful meal.

Large and noisy protest just below us.   Apparently the Glazers are not very popular here.

Time to head out to our seats.

United takes  1-0 lead at Half Time.   Back to the Treble Suite for the intermission.

Back for the 2nd half.

After Arsenal tied the match, lots of action at our end in the 2nd with numerous United chances to win.

Oh so close as the Arsenal goal keeper thwarted United's go ahead goal in the last minutes.

Back the Treble Suite to relax while the crowds leave.

Delicious meat pies are a post game snack.

And post game commentary.

What a very special day at Old Trafford.  

My Instagram video of our day at Old Trafford and Manchester United-Arsenal

Air France La Première Paris to San Francisco

After our brief visit to the La Première Lounge, we were back in our Porsche limo for the drive around the airport to our agent and our 10+ hour 77W flight to San Francisco. And what a treat to be the only two passengers today on a seemingly private flight to SFO. Wonderful service on board and after a 3 hour nap, exceptional food and service. What a marvelous Air France La Première flight.  

Our private jet bridge to the La Première cabin.

Mais oui, merci.

After take-off, bedtime was the first order of business.

4 hours later, time for lunch.  And more champagne.

Today's menu.  Lots of nice options.

And the anytime menu...

And wine.  Same as my inbound flight a few days ago.

A lovely Sauternes.

To go with my foie gras.

And the star of the show, the amazingly delicious Beaufort PDO cheese soufflé, mushroom and truffle cream.

Trying another wine.  Meh, back to the Champagne.

Lobster fricassée was wonderful.

Time for some cheese.

And yummy Tarte Tatin for complete a delightful meal.

After a movie, back to sleep for nearly 4 hours.  And a nice fresh fruit plate prior to landing after an outstanding flight.  Wonderful service and food.

An ontime arrival and Global Entry was our friend today in an othewise crowded CBP.   Leaving CBP with some Emirates friends.  LOL.