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The “reimagined” menu is a response to passenger suggestions, Amtrak mentioned, and options extra sizzling meals and vegan choices. The objects can be found on trains alongside the Northeast Hall (the Acela, Northeast Regional, Vermonter and Ethan Allen Specific) and on Amtrak’s long-distance trains (the Capitol Restricted, Cardinal and California Zephyr).
I hopped on the primary practice I may — the Acela to Philadelphia and the Northeast Regional again to D.C. — to style as a lot of the brand new menu as doable. I ordered 15 objects — some new and a few acquainted — and ranked and scored them on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being worthy of no extra bites and 10 being “Wow! I’d eat that once more!”
Vanilla yogurt parfait: 3/10
It might be your commonplace, chemical-sweet comfort retailer yogurt parfait ($5). The granola particles have been fantastic, however the berry compote on the backside didn’t maintain as much as the promise of “combined berries” from the outline.
Bacon, egg and cheese bialy: 4/10
The bialy breakfast sandwich ($6.50 on Café Acela; $6 with sausage on the National Café menu) has the essence of a typical bacon, egg and cheese however not the soul. The bialy doesn’t do effectively within the microwave used to warmth it up, and comes out powerful and dry, making a sesame-dusted choking hazard (I’m solely half-joking). Even with the slab of smoky bacon, bites don’t go down straightforward.
Tropical fruit medley: 5/10
The brand new-menu press launch had talked about a “Seasonal Fruit with Mango” choice. I discovered a tropical fruit medley ($5) on my Acela practice that had mango (albeit unripe), pineapple (onerous), peeled orange slices (juicy), grapes (commonplace) and kiwi (flavorless). On the upside, it was straight fruit. No further sugar or juices. If you would like one thing that feels contemporary and wholesome, this works.
Egg white and cheese artisan sandwich: 7/10
The egg white and cheese artisan sandwich ($6.50) wants a couple of minutes to settle after it comes out of the microwave — form of like resting a steak earlier than slicing into it. Then it’s smooth and pillowy. There’s a funk to it. Whether or not that’s factor is as much as you.
Streusel espresso cake: 8/10
Professional: The streusel espresso cake ($3.50) shocked and delighted with moistness and style. Con: As crumbly as a Nature Valley granola bar. Espresso cake. In all places. All in my laptop computer keyboards. I’m unsure I’ll ever get it out. Don’t eat subsequent to a well-dressed seatmate.
The primary chew was practically ice-cold and a shock to the system, however a number of extra later and I used to be comfortable to be consuming the vegan Asian noodle bowl ($7.50). It got here with a gloppy “spicy-sweet” plum sauce (not really spicy) to slop over the medley of tremendous contemporary greens — crunchy carrot strips, bell peppers that popped, al dente edamame and large chunks of broccoli — and just-okay noodles.
Rainbow berry salad: 10/10
This berry salad ($8.50) delivered. Most grab-and-go salads have wilted or boring lettuce. Not this man. It was full of ripe strawberries, complete walnuts, dried cranberries and a ton of blue cheese over a mattress of greens with character, plus a facet of balsamic French dressing. Amtrak skimped on nothing.
Santa Fe rooster panini: 4/10
A pure meh sandwich ($8.50). There’s loads of rooster in it, so it’ll fill you up, however the rooster is bone-dry. Regardless of the roasted purple peppers, jack cheese and chipotle aioli, it doesn’t have sufficient taste.
Smoked turkey and havarti sandwich: 4/10
The sandwich ($8.50) sounds so much higher than it’s. It hits you with a honey mustard taste with the primary chew, which is good, and there’s loads of turkey in it. However the multi-grain sub roll is mediocre, soggy in some spots and parched in others. The Amtrak Café worker provided to warmth it up for me, however I declined; possibly it could have been higher heat.
Moonshine barbecue rooster sandwich: 7/10
There’s one thing very elementary faculty cafeteria about this rooster sandwich ($7.50). On the one hand, it hits you instantly with a basic (learn: fundamental) barbecue tang and its coleslaw has a pleasant crunch. But it surely additionally type of mushes collectively in its brioche roll, like a sloppy Joe with out the slop goodness. It may use extra sauce.
Angus beef cheeseburger: 8.5/10
Taking this cheeseburger ($7.25) out of its swampy plastic packaging was obscene. Zero factors for presentation. However the taste overcame the heinous aesthetic.
Stromboli with marinara: 5/10
Within the press launch pictures, the stromboli ($6) appeared like a enjoyable cross between mozzarella sticks and a pizza crust. In particular person, it appeared pale and undercooked and tasted prefer it — possibly it didn’t get nuked lengthy sufficient. Apart from the unsettling gummy texture of the dough, it did have a pleasant herby taste and an abundance of gooey cheese.
Blue corn vegan tamale: 10/10
I don’t wish to get canceled for calling an Amtrak tamale tamale, however I loved consuming this Amtrak tamale ($5). Technically, it’s not an “Amtrak tamale”; the packaging says it’s hand-made by Tucson Tamale, a husband-and-wife firm from Arizona. It was tasty and comforting, regardless that I let it cool too lengthy earlier than consuming.
White cheddar mac and cheese: 10/10
The white cheddar mac and cheese ($7.25) doesn’t tread evenly. It’s dense and decadent with an opulent texture. Umami in a disposable container. Finest served with a glass of crisp white wine or a chilly glowing water to chop the richness.
If you happen to like turkey, smoked Gouda and celery, this field ($8.50) with mini naan bread is for you. However skip the cranberry mustard sauce. It’s the incorrect dip for this case — too candy and skinny.
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