VA532 SYD/OOL 737-800 Business dep 1310h
Seat 2A. Load in J was 3/8 - other pax were 1D and 2C.
This was billed as lunch and the CSM came through asking for our lunch orders as soon as the seat belt sign was switched off. The cart was not wheeled into the cabin - complete tray service direct from the galley.
I opted for the baked salmon fillet with dill potatoes. The other option was a pumpkin and feta salad.
I've had this main course before on my previous VA J flight (which was a bit of a while ago now). Potatoes were served as a mash, with a sprinkling of capers, chopped tomato, blanched asparagus pieces and a single split olive. Other accompaniments were the usual bread roll, disc of unnamed butter and a chocolate and sour cherry moist cake. My drink choice was more of the VA mocktail (cranberry juice and other things); I would've opted for wine, but I was driving upon arrival in OOL, so I had to pass.
Salmon was alright. Slightly overcooked perhaps but cooking fish perfectly on an aircraft is more complicated than keyhole surgery. The taste was there, though. Maybe potatoes could use a bit more dill. It's funny because the shape of the fillet makes it look like you're not getting much to eat, but if you mentally cut it in half and lay them side to side to form a square shape, you actually see it's a big piece of fish you're getting. Chocolate and sour cherries are one of those marriages in heaven. Making a moist cake out of them - enough said. Bread roll was a tad chewy-tough.
When did VA stop offering olive oil and dukkah with the roll? On the other hand, this is the first time I've had the FA go back through the cabin to offer tea or coffee, and to top up drinks. Despite this, although it wasn't aloof and the CSM wasn't a cold fish, the service still felt very plain and to the letter of the schedule.