So here's the skinny....
New a la carte is now on the MEL route, I guess because the A350 was due. Noticeable differences - high-stemmed champagne flutes and wine glasses, silver bread baskets with multi-bread selection given to each passenger. Everything served course-by-course, no trays. Cutlery is replaced after each course, regardless if you have used it or not. Presentation 1000% better. New crockery is pleasing. Newly designed menu cards. New menu... multiple entrees and mains. For the second meal service there were three 'combo' meals to choose from each choice with a set starter and main. Supposedly these were unchangeable. However... while having drinks the crew came through the cabin with a huge spreadsheet and everyone could mix and match whatever entree with whatever main they wanted.
The downside... a lot of work for the crew and the meal service is slower. Forgivable I guess.
But... and this is a big but... the food quality is still absolutely economy class. While it looks great it's bland and very simple in design. The Thai main courses are the same chopped stir-fry meats (pork or chicken), but now served separately in a bowl with another bowl of rice. Instead of in the one rectangle dish as previous. Western meals have been put on a plat instead of the rectangle dish.
between meals there's a selection of burgers or thai soups to choose from.
All up... can't be compared to the previous offering... this is a marked step up... dare I say even a step up from SQ's presentation and service delivery? Almost a first class 'lite'.
But... the food was bland - perfectly fine, looked good, but no flavour.
