Great Western Coffee Shop

Sideshoots - associated subjects => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: grahame on December 28, 2020, 01:46:07



Title: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 28, 2020, 01:46:07
Imagine the ultimate privatisation of catering on trains - with a different product offered on each of the West Country expresses out of Paddington for the summer of 2022. Each of these trains calls at Reading, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, and Exeter (where it overtakes the semifast from Paddington each hour, which carries on to Paignton), Newton Abbott, Totnes, Ivybridge and Plymouth, many running on into Cornwall.    There is time to eat between London and Taunton which will make the service attractive to members who use that as their railhead.

Select up to the eight catering products you would like the most to try.

Menu suggestions welcome.  Waistlines not guaranteed to be unaltered if you try out lots of these.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 28, 2020, 02:11:15
Lisa has just suggested that we provide catering on the semi-fasts too ..

06:24 - Kick Start from Starbucks
07:24 - Costa Coffee
08:24 - International House of Pancakes
09:24 - Irish Breakfast
10:24 - Late Irish Breakfast
11:24 - Crackerbarrel
12:24 - Harry Ramsden's
13:24 - Domino's
14:24 - Mr Kipling meets Ben and Jerry
15:24 - Cheese and Wine party by "Cheddar Gorge"
16:24 - Bloomin Onion from Outback Steakhouse
17:24 - Hooter's Happy Hour - all you can eat wings
18:24 - Red Lobster
19:24 - Before eight and other sweet novelties
20:24 - Gin tasting sponsored by Gordon's
21:24 - La Creperie Flambe - make you own


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: GBM on December 28, 2020, 08:09:02
May I suggest member broadgage takes charge of OUR catering section.
Guaranteed to be a great success, which in turn would remove all the other caterers.

Vote broadgage NOW  ;)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: CyclingSid on December 28, 2020, 09:49:05
Sorry if it sounds like a comment on a local election, but
None of the above


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: Surrey 455 on December 28, 2020, 09:59:25
Quote
17:24 - Hooter's Happy Hour - all you can eat wings

I think the RMT might object to their members wearing low cut tops or bikinis to deliver food to your seat.  ;D


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 28, 2020, 10:20:19
Quote
17:24 - Hooter's Happy Hour - all you can eat wings

I think the RMT might object to their members wearing low cut tops or bikinis to deliver food to your seat.  ;D

Ah ... I love the wings in Hooters.  And so does Lisa - it was her idea to have them take one of the catering slots.  They opened a restaurant in Birmingham many many years ago - one of a few in the UK and short lived - and Lisa and I happened to be there just as it opened.  She found herself interviewed on BBC Midlands Today (I think it was) as the only woman customer in the place ... as it happens, a favourite from the USA where we ate there frequently in Naples.

The view suggested for the RMT takes a steroetype - quite a common one, I will admit, but there is that other view. You'll see the stereotype in early scenes in "Blended" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blended_(film)) and come to learn later in the film why all may not be as you had assumed.

I'm so glad that Hooters are pencilled in for the semi-fast not the express.  Gives me a chance (at least in my dreams) to sample their wings on my way home to Wiltshire rather than whistling through on some darned none-stop train.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: Clan Line on December 28, 2020, 11:31:46

Ah ... I love the wings in Hooters. 

Tut, tut - I thought Dennys would be more your style !!  :D :D


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: Andy E on December 28, 2020, 17:11:30
Well, as we are considering trains to the Westcountry, surely we should be considering a purveyor of Pasties.😀


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: eightonedee on December 28, 2020, 17:52:37
Quote
Well, as we are considering trains to the Westcountry, surely we should be considering a purveyor of Pasties.😀

...to say nothing of cream teas ("both ways") or cider!


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 28, 2020, 17:58:25
...to say nothing of cream teas ("both ways") or cider!

All prepared scones that have not yet been eaten must be turned over as the train crosses the Royal Albert Bridge.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: broadgage on December 28, 2020, 18:15:24
What about scones that are half eaten as the train crosses the bridge ? Sounds messy to turn over a half eaten one.

Clotted cream or jam on first, depends IMHO on the relative textures of the two products, not on the location. Put the firmest on first. Trying to apply very solid clotted cream over runny jam is futile, as is solid jam over runny cream.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: PrestburyRoad on December 28, 2020, 23:11:22
Wot, no morning offer (before 11:00) of Gregg's bacon roll + coffee?


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: GBM on December 29, 2020, 06:40:14
Trying to apply very solid clotted cream over runny jam is futile, as is solid jam over runny cream.
I withdraws my vote for member broadgage! (Been watching Worzel Gummidge, apologies)
Local Cornish produce would produce nothing runny; it would always be firm.
Jam first.  ;D ;D


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: TaplowGreen on December 29, 2020, 08:28:14
May I suggest member broadgage takes charge of OUR catering section.
Guaranteed to be a great success, which in turn would remove all the other caterers.

Vote broadgage NOW  ;)

Beat me to it - but I think people may quickly tire of a menu consisting of Fillet steak and Port?

 ;)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: GBM on December 29, 2020, 09:45:32

Beat me to it - but I think people may quickly tire of a menu consisting of Fillet steak and Port?

 ;)

Perhaps a free Port with every steak!


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: broadgage on December 29, 2020, 12:47:28
Port is not taken WITH the fillet steak.
Port is taken with the last course of meal that may have included a main course of steak.

Fillet steak was the most popular main course in the Pullmans, so it was not just me whom enjoyed it. Port was also popular.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: bobm on December 29, 2020, 13:28:34
Interestingly ?was? is the operative word.  In the last couple of years although steak features on each of the three menus it has been overtaken by other dishes. 

Port, now served from a large bottle with, occasionally a measure, has replaced the miniatures of yore.  Perhaps accelerated by a notable occasion when a diner consumed all 12 small bottles in stock.  Also more environmentally friendly of course.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: GBM on December 29, 2020, 13:52:49
Going back many (many) years.  Taking the train from Penzance to Wick via London.
Whilst on the Inverness to Wick section I bought a few miniature whisky bottles from the buffet.
Having consumed those quite quickly I went back for several more; and again a little later.
On my next visit to the buffet I was told they had sold me the last one on board but they would meet the down train halfway, and would get a supply from that train (and would bring to my seat).
Trains duly passed, and several more bottles were bought to me.

Those were the days..... ;)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 29, 2020, 14:11:00
Going back many (many) years.  Taking the train from Penzance to Wick via London.

[snip]

Those were the days..... ;)

And those will be the days again when you can do this at a sensible price on a Tartan Traveller Ticket and come back on a Sunny South Special - http://gwr.passenger.chat/24438


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: broadgage on December 29, 2020, 20:28:41
Interestingly ?was? is the operative word.  In the last couple of years although steak features on each of the three menus it has been overtaken by other dishes. 

Port, now served from a large bottle with, occasionally a measure, has replaced the miniatures of yore.  Perhaps accelerated by a notable occasion when a diner consumed all 12 small bottles in stock.  Also more environmentally friendly of course.

I wrote "was" because the Pullman is not running at present, and I have doubts about it returning. Nothing like a pandemic or other crisis to introduce downgrades.
In the most recent "meet the manager" session they were very careful not to make any promises about the return of dining.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: bobm on December 29, 2020, 22:28:56
I wrote was too because since 2018 the steak hasn?t been the most popular main dish.  I can remember going back when with 17 diners a dozen would take the fillet.  More recently, before the suspension, it was quite often less than six from the 15 on an IET.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: broadgage on December 29, 2020, 23:27:44
Thereby proving that DMU steaks are inferior to HST steaks  :)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 30, 2020, 07:45:26
Thereby proving that DMU steaks are inferior to HST steaks  :)

 ;D

No - I don't think that's totally fare.  It's not a loss of product quality as the years move forward, but rather the availability of many exciting new and competing products and ways of presenting them on the train.  In the older days, food was restricted in availability especially during travel of what could be kept fresh(ish) and edible and we were looking at root veg, maturing meat and curly sandwiches.  In addition these days, offerings can include fresh fish, salads, sushi ...


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: TaplowGreen on December 30, 2020, 07:51:01
Thereby proving that DMU steaks are inferior to HST steaks  :)

 ;D

No - I don't think that's totally fare.  It's not a loss of product quality as the years move forward, but rather the availability of many exciting new and competing products and ways of presenting them on the train.  In the older days, food was restricted in availability especially during travel of what could be kept fresh(ish) and edible and we were looking at root veg, maturing meat and curly sandwiches.  In addition these days, offerings can include fresh fish, salads, sushi ...

I think it may also point to those dining on trains tend to be those whose palates still hark back to their halcyon days of Berni Inns and Angus Steak houses?

"Waiter, another prawn cocktail, steak (well done) and chips and Black Forest Gateau over here please! And another bottle of Black Tower/Blue Nun too!"

- I doubt exciting new options like sushi would have them thronging to the restaurant car - unless it was battered and served with chips!

 ;)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: froome on December 30, 2020, 13:30:28
Thereby proving that DMU steaks are inferior to HST steaks  :)

 ;D

No - I don't think that's totally fare.  It's not a loss of product quality as the years move forward, but rather the availability of many exciting new and competing products and ways of presenting them on the train.  In the older days, food was restricted in availability especially during travel of what could be kept fresh(ish) and edible and we were looking at root veg, maturing meat and curly sandwiches.  In addition these days, offerings can include fresh fish, salads, sushi ...

As a veggie, I would certainly hope it isn't included in the fare.  ;D

You could of course have been referring to the steak being rare, but I suspect you were actually referring to it not being fair.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: grahame on December 31, 2020, 16:25:23
08:04 - Pullman Breakfast   - 21
09:04 - The Coffee Shop, run by our team   - 14
21:04 - "The Office" Tavern Car   - 12
22:04 - The "Pig and Whistle"   - 10
18:04 - Oriental Buffet   - 10
11:04 - Wetherspoon's   - 10
12:04 - Toby Grill   - 9
17:04 - Burger King   - 9
10:04 - McDonald's late breakfast wagon   - 7
14:04 - Polly's Tea Room   - 6
16:04 - The Ivy   - 5
19:04 - the "Rosy Spectacles" - menu to celebrate the BR Sandwich   - 4
13:04 - Taco Bell and KFC Combo   - 3
07:04 - The Continental Buffet by Pret a Manger   - 3
15:04 - Afternoon tea from The Savoy   - 3
20:04 - The Ritz Club   - 1

28 members voted - total of 134 votes so the typical member selected 4 or 5 options.

Pullman Breakfast is, of course, "First Class" and hard to compete with.

A big "Thank You" to all the members who voted for the Coffee Shop at 09:04. I have over 10 years experience of running a business which included bed and breakfast and I'm sure that the 09:04, with a Plymouth arrival at 12:15, could provide you with an excellent brunch.  For several years, we hosted a breakfast club every Friday morning - perfectly happy catering for 30 settings.  The "Well House" way was a buffet to allow everyone to bias their eating towards their preferences - as reviewed by other professionals on Channel 4 (Four in a Bed) on Wednesday 9th January 2013.

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/csbrekkie.jpg)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: bobm on December 31, 2020, 18:18:02
Just in case we have forgotten what it looks like - this is the Pullman Breakfast (although admittedly from the South Wales rather than West of England service)

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/pulbreak.jpg)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: JayMac on December 31, 2020, 22:12:29
Here's one from my archive, from March 2013. Filet de boeuf avec buerre Cafe de Paris.

(https://i.ibb.co/HrYYvnH/IMG-20201231-220350.jpg)

My last Pullman dining was a brunch from Paddington to Newport in November 2019. Here's hoping I'll get the chance to dine again on board in 2021.


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: bobm on December 31, 2020, 22:20:35
Think I might have witnessed that!


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: TonyN on December 31, 2020, 23:34:18
I used to attend IT courses at a staff college on the Mendips. On one visit the on site accomodation was full and a group of us stayed at a local farm. At the same time a group of German engineers installing a new air traffic control system at Lulsgate where staying at the farm. The farmhouse Buffet breakfasts where exelent as long as you got there before the Germans :)


Title: Re: On train catering - light hearted options to the West Country
Post by: chuffed on January 01, 2021, 00:39:22
Couldn't you have  rolled up the napkins and serviettes and placed them on the chairs to denote ownership?



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