I was just on the Three Rivers at the begining of this week and I can account for what type of meal service is offered. The Acela style meals are gone, First Class passengers now have the option of two entrees for dinner that have come right off a regular, full-service, dining car menu. For instance the turkey medalions and goat cheese stuffed chicken were offered. These items are warmed ahead of time in a convention oven. Mashed potatoes and vegeatables come in small pre-prepared cups that are warmed in the microwaved prior to being serived. The turkey or chicken along with the potatoes and vegetables are all put onto a plastic plate and served to you at your table just like in a really dining car. Salads and a dinner roll are offered and there is one choice for dessert offered. Tables are covered in white linen tables cloths and a vase of flowers is placed next to the window, however the plates, forks, spoons, and knives are all plastic and the napkins are paper. I was a coach traveler and had inquired the lounge attendant about the enhanced meal service for my dinner. He told me to come back around 7:30pm, but when I did I was told that they were out of meals. I don't think that was the case, and like Alan said I feel that the crew just didn't want to have to take the time to serve coach passengers. I ended up eating for the snack bar and the food has greatly improved and you can get some really good entrees nowadays. There are some really excellent sandwhiches, fried chicken and coleslaw (I reccomend eating the fried chicken cold), salads, and many more items to choose from. All in all I don't think I was really missing out by getting to eat the first class meal service.
And to add about the route and train intself. The scenery is a better in my opinion than on the Capitol Limited, however the Three Rivers does not use Superliner equipment. Coaches and food serivce cars are either single-level Horizon and Amfleet equipment and there is one Viewliner sleeper. The comfort level is really no different, but Horizon coaches have very small windows compared to a Superliner. If you can get a sleeper because the windows are a lot larger and there are two sets in each room.