I see the menu is from November of last year. Is this still the current menu? Also, is the southbound PPC menu different or the same as northbound menu? I couldn't find a southbound PPC menu after a brief search.
What is the maximum PPC dinner seating? I thought I read, somewhere, that the PPC can't take more than 20-30 passengers for dinner?
I appreciate any answers to the above.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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The absolute maximum? I suppose it could be 16 people. That would be 4 people sitting at 4 booth tables. They do not use the couches with those little tables in front of them, and they don't use the swivel chairs---you sit at a booth. And in my experience, you eat when you want to and if you want to eat by yourself, then you eat by yourself. I have never been placed with anyone in the PPC for a meal. Most of the time, it was just me and the other tables were totally empty. I think the reason for the small number of people is pretty simple: 1) It's not the whole train---it's just sleepers, 2) A lot of the sleeper passengers want to eat in the regular diner, and 3) Reservations times are more spread out and there seems to be more flexibility for the PPC lunch and dinners.
I wish they had a PPC on every train----what a difference it makes. Those Cross Country Cafes are USELESS!!!!!!! Gosh I hate them---with a passion. Total, complete waste of money and a total and complete waste of space. The "lounge" half isn't even used (except for Amtrak employees to place all of their "junk", and to sit down, put their head down on the table, and take a nap.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I hope they have the lamb shank On my trip, in 7 days!
Our company meeting is 9-22 to 9-25. I do a safety meeting for Seattle on 9-26 and my wife flies into Seattle. 9-27 we hop on the Starlight, go to LAX, then hop on the Sunset to Houston. Room C the entire way.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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The lamb shank on the CS was exceptionally good. The meat fell off the bone with the slightest effort. Very tasty!
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Mike: I'm glad the lamb shank was good. Do you know about the beef short-ribs? Is it good?
Smitty: I guess, from your post, there are no specific dinner hours or calls to dinner in the PPC (?). Could I get an early dinner...say 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM?
I'm still trying to figure out if the southbound PPC dinner menu is the same as the northbound.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Richard, you do make reservations in the PPC. I think they started about 5:00. And the north and southbound menus were different when we traveled in June and July. But the actual food served differed from what was on the printed menu. But it was all good. We like meeting people in the dining car but it is also nice to have a relaxed option in the PPC.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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We consider the PPC one of the best reasons to travel on Amtrak. The swivel lounge chairs are great. The food is a cut above normal diner Denny's fare (although I think it is now prepared there). Don't believe we've ever entered the diner on our CS trips. But make reservations early. On our last trip we boarded at San Luis Obispo NB and could only get an 8pm Res. but that was OK - more time to enjoy the wine.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Sorry, got this message too late. But Vicki handled it---thank you. I've had the same experience----different menu both north and southbound, and yes, reservations required. But it's not like the diner when you go for your 5PM dinner reservation in the PPC. Usually, you're the only one to show up---or maybe 1 or 2 other people. You've got the table to yourself, which I love because I can continue listening to an e-book while I eat dinner and look out the window. Not the usual, "So, where did you get on? Uh-huh....and where are you getting off? Oh, oh, okay....that's great...This is our first time on a train. blah blah blah blah". You can tell I'm somewhat anti-social. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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On our trip every table was taken in the PPC, but couples or singles had their own table. The short ribs were good, but not up to the lamb shank standard. The salmon ceasar salad was inedible for my wife. The salmon was cold and the seasoning on the salmon did not work with the salmon cold. She exchanged it for some diner car lasagna.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Mind you, that appears to be November, 2011...
Someone travelling more recently needs to compare.
That is also from an internal employee website, protected behind a login and passworld.
-------------------- The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Thanks for pointing out the date, Pullman. I hope someone can find a current menu for the Southbound Coast Starlight PPC. I may take it next summer.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Richard, you won't actually know what they are serving that day until you are on the train. They don't always even have what they show on the written menu that they hand you.
Just check it out when you are there and do try to eat in the PPC as it is an enjoyable experience.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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