Simplified Dining on Silver Service

[battalion51]

Maybe someone (ahem OBS) will know the answer to this, what's the deal with implementation of Simplified Dining on Silver Service. 91 didn't have it today, I'm assuming it has something to do with the crew turns. What's thr word?

 

[Foodman53]

I too,was curious about the implementation of Simplified Dining on the "Silver Service" routes. My wife and I are going to be taking #91, the "Silver Star" from NYP to RGH on June 1st. Since the 9-plus hour ride covers 2 meal periods...I wanted to know what to expect.

Also, can someone post..or, have links to the new menus?

From the "Florida Funnel"

Foodman53

 

[Guest_Amtrak OBS Employee]

Maybe someone (ahem OBS) will know the answer to this, what's the deal with implementation of Simplified Dining on Silver Service. 91 didn't have it today, I'm assuming it has something to do with the crew turns. What's thr word?

Bat51, SDS is operating on #92/#97 right now. The #98/#91 will go to it around the 24th of May if not a little sooner. They did, as you figured that out already, implement it so as to stay in line with those very reasons regarding the crew turnarounds.

Foodman53, you shouldn't see any real major differences other than a menu change (which will be pretty obvious) as far as the food is concerned. The new deal will be served on plasticware instead of china. There will be reservations for the lunch period as well as dinner. You will have one less waiter working in the dining car, and the kitchen loses it's food specialist. If you would, YOU let us know how your trip is as your train will have converted to SDS!!!!

OBS...

 

[Guest]

I just returned from a trip on the Crescent and had great food for both dinner and breakfast. The roast chicken was suberb - as well as the rice and green beans. Service was very good with the LSA helping to serve and clear the tables. No complaints from any of the other passengers - both sleeping car and coach. It all depends on the crew.

While I had the continental breakfast, others at the table had the omlette and several of the other choices. Also, no complaints and no negative comments. Most people had rave review for the crew's service.

The plastic dinner ware has the appearance of china, but once you touch it, it is obvious what it is - however if this is going to allow the company to keep the dining cars, then I think we can all learn to live with it.

It is also obvious that Amtrak has received considerable feedback from passengers and crew and changes have been made in an effort to correct the problems.

 

[National Limited]

Can someone explain to me the difference in SDS and the renovated lounge cars? Will SDS eliminate a seperate dining car and serve meals in expanded space in lounge or are the dining cars staying on the LD trains and only the menu and crew size change? If the latter is the case what is the purpose of renovating the lounge cars to accomodate more tables?

 

[battalion51]

For the time being on most trains SDS will occur in Dining Cars. They are overhauling the fleet so that SDS can occur in one car along with lounge service. They will eventually have SDS meals available at any time of day, so there will be no need to have meal periods or worry about missing dinner time for a late train.

 

[Guest]

Sorry if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, but....

Can the new meals be ordered to pick up at the dining car and eaten in the compartment??

 

[battalion51]

Yes they can. You can ask your attendant to bring them to you in the room, and likewise you should provide a very good tip if you are not disabled (and probably should just the same if you are). You also have the option of walking back to the Diner and asking for your food to go. They will plate the meals on styrofoam, and provide everything just as you were in the Dining Car.

 

[Foodman53]

If we do indeed make the trip, I'll certainly give my review...good, bad, or ugly!

Might anyone actually have a menu available that is posted, or could be linked to?

Also, is the "reservation system" being used for all meals? With only one diner and full trains, they may not be able to "reach" everybody who want to eat.

Just curious(still!)

From the "Florida Funnel"

Foodman53

 

[amtrak_flyer]

Took train 97 yesterday. The breakfast in the diner was great. Had the french toast. Everything else I saw served looked good too. Employees were just as friendly as ever. The plastic glasses for the juice are bigger then before, they even offered refills on the juice. Alot more choices on the menu. One thing I thought was neat on the breakfast menu, Half an order of French toast, with scrambled eggs and a big bowl of fruit for 8 bucks.

The dinner menu had 8 or 9 choices from $8.25-$19.00.

One other thing as theyve always done for silver service breakfast, they let you have your own table if you want it, plus they did not limit diner to 8 at a time, there was 12-13 people in there when I left at that was around 7am.

Only negative was the plastic "china" plates, yes they look very nice but everytime I cut my french toast with the fork the plate cracked and eventually almost shattered. They said plates will need to be changed, as thats happening alot.