CCC

[GG-1]

a $100 buffet, an what would make it so??

My guess it would have "expensive items" like "all you can eat" lobster or such.

The most expensive buffet I know of (and was treated to) was the RIO Seafood Buffet. The price without alcoholic drinks was 45 dollars. A new one has opened at Caesar's. They advertise 100 different choices. Regular price 65, also without drinks. Maybe on New Years Eve the price is 100.

Aloha

 

[Ryan]

I don't nitpick my southern boyfriend for calling carbonated beverages "Coke", even though it's also known as cola, soda, pop, soda pop, or a carbonated beverage.

You should, everyone knows that "soda" is the one true way to refer to it.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

In the case of Vegas buffets breakfast and lunch are generally cheaper than dinner.

Although the Sunday brunch seating can be even more expensive than a dinner seating on a weekday.

A "special" brunch seating that starts around $65 can easily reach $80 with drinks and nearly $100 after tax and tip (for drinks/cleanup).

If you avoid dinner seatings and the special Sunday brunch, don't drink any champaign, don't tip drink servers, and don't include tax, then it will be cheaper than $100.

Even if you had a two-for-one coupon these buffets would still a bad value in my view, but to each his own.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Breakfast buffets are about the only ones I can bare, if only because breakfast foods lend themselves to being buffet style in this part of the world (think of the old morning community breakfasts on the plains or in the colonies).

edit-- I mean if you're a good cook you can make 20 scrambled eggs each as good as the last (as if you can tell them apart), personally I love grits. It's real easy to make a pot of grits and fixings, bacon, butter, cheese and such.

 

[shelzp]

Oh! That makes more sense. I thought he was talking about metal vs. plastic.

When I talk about the type you polish, I just say "silver". Maybe it's a regional thing.

The color of the flatware is silver.

 

[The Journalist]

I like buffets…I get free ones at two different casinos regularly, though, so the price of them isn't as big a deal. The only ones I figure are worth paying for are the seafood nights; every once in a while I go to one of those and eat nothing but crab, which I feel is worth the $35. I don't think I'd ever do a $100/person buffet, but then again, I wouldn't do $100/person table-service meals either.

That said I'm not sure how well they'd work on a train, since the entire draw is massive variety, which wouldn't be possible anyway. It seems like it wouldn't be cost-effective either.

 

[TVRM610]

That said I'm not sure how well they'd work on a train, since the entire draw is massive variety, which wouldn't be possible anyway. It seems like it wouldn't be cost-effective either.

Oh a buffet would not work for full meal service on Amtrak... the "Buffet Cars" that amtrak had in the past were not buffets like we think about them, they were set up like cafeterias (think Picadily) where you walked through the line and and told the crew what you wanted as they dished it out.. then you were seated and enjoyed your meal.

I'm not really sure why some members "hated" the concept... but I really don't remember the cars (I barely remember eating in one but really can't recall details) so maybe the concept didn't work? (I'm also pretty easy to please... I enjoyed my breakfast on the Cardinal in the Diner Lite).

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Up until recently the Pacific Parlour Car meal service was served Buffet-style with the Car Attendant taking your order and then plating it from the Steam Table located near the center of the car; this gave the pax a chance to "study" the chow before ordering. I'm not sure if it was Health Department regulations or something else that stopped that, but one Attendant told me she always had trouble with folks walking by and grazing from the Steam Table.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Up until recently the Pacific Parlour Car meal service was served Buffet-style with the Car Attendant taking your order and then plating it from the Steam Table located near the center of the car; this gave the pax a chance to "study" the chow before ordering. I'm not sure if it was Health Department regulations or something else that stopped that, but one Attendant told me she always had trouble with folks walking by and grazing from the Steam Table.

The PPC meal service on the CS had a lot of promise but seemed to combine the less appealing aspects of various serving styles in actual practice. You had a buffet style serving stand with congealing entrees and creating a scent that went from "mildly interesting" to "please get this out of here" over the course of a few hours. Although it was sitting out for everyone to see you couldn't actually serve yourself or choose more than one entree when your scheduled meal time came. I don't think they allowed seconds if you found something you liked either. Which health department is in charge of the PPC and how does the process work now?

 

[zephyr17]

FDA is the regulator of food service on Amtrak. They do ramdom inspections at least, a few years ago they pulled a bunch of diners out of service due to varmints.

 

[steve smith]

I believe the 20th century Limited and the Super Chief used actual genuine SILVER-plated tableware...coffee and tea pots as well, silver.

 

[zephyr17]

The Super Chief certainly did.

 

[fillyjonk]

FDA is the regulator of food service on Amtrak. They do ramdom inspections at least, a few years ago they pulled a bunch of diners out of service due to varmints.

I was on the TE several years ago, wound up eating dinner with someone who said he was a food/dining car inspector. (He ordered the fish. Interesting).

The next morning, when I went down for breakfast, I was told the dining car had been closed due to bad inspection - that sleeper car pax were to go to the lounge, show our ticket stubs (this was before e-tickets) and ask for what we wanted there.

I admit I felt a bit creeped out by having eaten dinner in a diner that was then closed down (maybe for "varmints," I never found out) but I didn't get sick or anything, so I guess it's all good.

 

[SarahZ]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't like buffets. I can't eat very much in one sitting and often don't finish what's on my plate, so they're a complete waste of money for me. I'd rather pay a la carte.

That said, I do like the options. I often want to take a little bit from this entree and put it with that entree and then sub one side for another, and so on, and buffets are great for that. So, I suppose the ideal buffet would be charged per plate or by weight, but I have some friends who would scream bloody murder if they did that. They're pros at piling as much food on one plate as possible.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I was wondering if anyone can provide an update on how the PPC food has changed since they removed the buffet cart.

On the Amtrak website it still says food is served in the PPC, but I'm not clear on how it differs from the previous implementation.

Sleeping car passengers can experience a full range of exclusive services and amenities on the Coast Starlight, including complimentary onboard internet access via AmtrakConnect and an exciting alternative meal service, both available in the Parlour Car. Each sleeping car passenger will receive complimentary meals (with the exception of alcohol) in the Dining Car or the Parlour Car, a special welcome gift and a personal amenities kit that includes shampoo, soaps and lotions. A daily tasting of local wines and artisan cheeses is available in the refurbished Pacific Parlor Car. This "living room on rails" is the perfect place for sleeping car passengers to relax, celebrate or socialize. With an onboard theater and alternative dining venue, the Pacific Parlour Car will make your Coast Starlight experience unforgettable.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Most PPC meals are now prepared and plated in the Diner which is always right behind the PPC; the PPC is oriented so the service counter is closest to the Diner. However, one time when I ordered a Sandwich for Lunch, they were kept behind the Counter of the PPC. The Attendant unwrapped, dressed, warmed and plated the Sandwich with some chips right there.

 

[TVRM610]

I rode the Starlight in August and ate 2 meals there. I really didn't pay attention to where the food came from... But it was a great experience.

 

[the_traveler]

I rode the PPC twice this year, in March and October. Both times, all meals were plated and came from the Dining Car.