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Extraordinary - Merit
Oktober - 2010 |
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5
Stars & 4 Stripes
Overall - 'Service & Comfort' |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes® |
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| After a two-hour drive from the Hamptons to JFK
airport in Queens, we were ready to enjoy a little pre-boarding
‘divertimento’ in the business class lounge offered by Lufthansa, our
flight choice to Germany. With a flight time of about seven hours, flying
business class from New York’s JFK to Munich is certainly beneficial on an
overnight flight. But first, check-in and the obligatory security stop, which
by the way were both quick and efficient with little wait time to pass through
to the departure gate. A little something to eat before boarding was our
mantra, so we entered the business class lounge to satisfy our appetite. The
lounge traffic was light so we had plenty of room to spread out. In typical
German fashion, the layout was well organized, clean and self-serving with
plenty of cue cards strategically placed where questions might arise.
Surprising were the finger sandwiches, which
offered
three choices: trout with cucumber and dill, turkey ham with Swiss cheese
and grainy mustard/mayo on sundried tomato bread, and gruyere cheese with
braised leeks on whole wheat bread. Disappointing was the limited choice of
wine, with only
Robert
Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and Coppola’s Director
Sonoma Chardonnay displayed (PHOTO TOUR - CLICK HERE). Although I
have seen more wine choices in other airline’s business class lounges,
Lufthansa additionally offered three types of draft beer with Scotch, bourbon
and brandy also available. |
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| Finally after boarding
we reached our designated seats in business class that is 10A-C just behind the
partition by the forward lavatory. This location has its advantages, like
increased legroom as well as some drawbacks, as you can imagine being next to
the lavatory, all of which can be seen on
seatguru.com. In-flight dining service was touted as
created by ‘Star Chefs’ and in particular on this flight the menu is
by Chef Jacques Sorci (a member of the renowned Maîtres Cuisiniers de
France), of the restaurant “2 West” located in The Ritz-Carlton
Battery Park, New York. Our appetizers consisted of Beet Cured Salmon,
shaved Fennel, Yoghurt Dill Sauce for me and Cabernet Poached Pear,
Haricot Verts, Roasted Walnuts and Blue Cheese Crumbles for my wife
Simone. |
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| Thorsten Buehrmann - Lufthansa Business Class - (Previous
Flight) |
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| An exciting beginning for what would turn out to be a
rather lengthy meal time from start to finish. Now, I realize that serving food
at 36,000 feet in the air presents some challenges, but it seemed that the
staff was a little shorthanded since the entire dinner took a little over 2hrs
to serve. Nonetheless the quality of the food was rather good with kudos going
to Chef Sorci and his alchemist’s aptitude to stay imaginative. Our
entrées consisted of Roasted Artic Char, Balsamic roasted Red Onions,
Fingerling Potatoes, Fava Beans and Parsley Horseradish Sauce as my choice
and for Simone Grilled Chicken Breast with Marsala Sauce, Asparagus Risotto
Cake and Grilled Zucchini. Wine selection according to Lufthansa, was
compiled by Master Sommelier Markus Del Monego after overseeing the tasting of
12,000 wines throughout the year. For our flight the wine list started with
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne NV, and continued with 2008 Riesling
Kabinett, Weingut Prinz von Hessen, 2008 and “14 Hands” Chardonnay,
Washington State for the white wines. The red choices were 2006
Château Lestruelle, Bordeaux and 2007 Corona de Castilla Prestigio,
Tempranillo all of which I agreed fit in nicely as pairings with the food
selections. |
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| Lufthansa
Business Class - Cuisine |
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| After the rather lengthy dinner, sleep time was in
order and Lufthansa offers angled lie flat beds in business class for down
time. Although the reclinable seats were at an angle, we were able to fully
stretch out. We were comfortable but never able to feel truly warm and toasty.
When arriving at Munich airport, you still have the option to enter the
business class lounge there to freshen up before continuing on your
way. |
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by Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2011 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes,
Inc. |
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