International Short-Haul, Brisbane to Port Vila in EconomyX.
Meal service was speedy, although complete confusion from all three cabin crew in Y as to what they were actually serving.
One announced from the rear-galley that the choices were Moroccan Lamb with polenta, cold chicken salad, or vegetarian penne pasta.
Row in front of us were offered (by different crew member) "Lamb with polenta, tabbouleh salad or lasagne".
We were then offered (by the third Y crew member) "hot lamb, beef salad or penne pasta".
I asked for the chicken salad, was told it was the beef, mentioned that they'd announced it as chicken, she checked with the other crew member and came back with "Oh, it was beef yesterday".
Partner asked for the penne, was served his meal no problems, opened it up to find it was vegetarian lasagne.
So all in all, pretty confusing despite there only being three (relatively simple) dishes for them to remember.
Taste wise, while the dressing didn't look that appealing, the dish actually tasted fantastic, especially for Y. Have had much worse salads in J! Ingredients were really fresh, and the chicken tasted just-poached; tender, moist and not at all rubbery or dry. Was really impressed.
Lasagne was standard Y food. Tasty enough, but nothing to write home about.
Dessert was a piece of fudge.
For a 2.5-hour flight, I felt it hit the mark.
Would be great to see them roll this sort of thing out domestically for 'lunch' and 'dinner' flights.
Was also good to see the new 'more sustainable' packaging with cardboard lids rather than foil, though still plenty of plastic.
One complimentary drink per person, then tea, coffee and water free after that.
Crew messaged it as "the first round' s on us", which I thought was a fun enough, 'Virgin' way of spinning it.