UA 45 ZRH SFO 1300 1600 788 3L was 0950 1240

Okay, so we heard about a delay, par for the
course. But then the delay was delayed. And
delayed and delayed.

Luckily, there's a Swiss lounge a few dozen
meters away from the gate, and it has a bar of
200, count 'em, whiskies, so a bunch of fun
could be had.

I ended up with three Japanese whiskies that
would have been hard to find in the States and
Macallan Gold, which I wouldn't be inclined to
seek out given its price and what I've read
about it.

Tokinoka White Oak - this is a pleasant
light-flavored offering, with pleasant orange, vanilla,
and some kind of nut aromas. On the palate, a little
thick, fixed with a splash of water. I liked it.

Tokinoka Black was of course similar, siblings if you
will, but 100 proof, which surprisingly didn't add much
hotness. If anything, it lifted the citrus of the nose
at the expense of the vanillariness, but otherwise it
was similar. I think I might have marginally preferred
the regular bottling.

Nikka Super - this is a special edition made in memory of
the distiller's British wife, who must have been a bit
of a shrinking violet, because the drink is, despite its
relatively high alcohol content, exceedingly mild in
flavor. A disappointment.

Macallan Gold - okay, this eminent brand has gotten on
the bandwagon by offering non-age-stated booze, which
paves the way for any number of abuses. I'm not saying
this is an abuse, but suffice it to say it's not my
favorite Scotch, nor my favorite Macallan. I think that
the blender has made up for a lack of age with a little
extra smoke.

Eventually we were called for the flight; it ended up
3 hours late and 3 hr late landing as well.

Welcome aboard UNITED POLARIS
WELCOME DINING SERVICE

STARTERS
Chilled appetizer
Smoked salmon with wasabi cream cheese, quinoa salad,
pickled ginger, radish

I gave the Bouchard Cote de Beaune another try; an
undamaged bottle was substantially better and went
quite decently with the fish, which was good but not
as good as in the palmy days of United, when it was
some of the best fish I'd ever eaten.

Salad
Mixed greens, fennel, orange, dried cranberries
Served with dressing and assorted breads

Pretty much as expected, the vegetables
actually reasonably fresh and unwilted.

ENTREE
Seared beef short rib
Bordelaise, roasted potatoes, green beans

Lemon grass chicken
Green curry sauce, jasmine rice, mixed vegetables

Roasted halibut
Ratatouille, summer squash, roasted artichoke

Butternut squash and apple ravioli
Moscato cream sauce, spinach, roasted grapes

Guess what I had. Mistake. Can't cooks realize
that trimming all the fat off a fatty cut is a
dumb and counterproductive idea?

EXPRESS DINING
If you'd prefer more time to work or relax, please ask
your flight attendant for our express dining service.
Choose to receive all courses or only select items and
your meal will be presented at your request.

DESSERTS
After your entree, enjoy any of the following:

International cheese assortment
Served with grapes, crackers, and port

Signature sundae
Served with a choice of toppings

Sweet treats
Please ask your flight attendant for today's selections.

Lots of macarons, quite good at the beginning
of the flight but tending to tiredness and
less suavity later on, owing to the dryness of
the atmosphere. The 787 is supposed to provide
a nose-friendly environment. That is overhyped.

No Courvoisier! So I had a glass of Port. Later
a complaint letter to United, which went
unanswered. Eventually it turned out that the
airline has discontinued the stuff altogether. I
wonder what happened.

ANYTIME A LA CARTE MENU
Indulge in midflight snacks anytime after our dining service.
Please ask your flight attendant for today's selections.

ARRIVAL DINING SERVICE
Grilled chicken
Creamy mushroom sauce, herbed rice pilaf, carrots
Served with salad

Fruit, vegetable and cheese plate
Served with assorted cured meats.

Nah.
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