Five Star Service

Etihad prides itself on its onboard service and with good reason. The standard uniform looks like something like what these ladies were wearing in the Lounge.

Today we were greeted by our purser Nikki

Her assistant Anna

And our chef Yazan taking Jeff’s dinner order as we had our pre-departure dates and champage (Jeff in his Etihad pajamas).

Thoughtfully delivered with a note from Anna our flight manager (not the same Anna as above).

Then we pushed back and took off for our 6h36m jourmey to Abu Dhabi (pic from the tail camera).

Service began shortly after take-off with a classic vodka martini and some salty snacks — dried vegetables, almonds, cashews, and olives.

After cocktails our dinner began with artfully setting the table.

Then the amuse bouche of sliced chicken with a vegetable compote. The wine is a Line 39 Pinot Noir from the Central Coast of California.

The appetizer was a hot and cold Arabic Mezze of babaganouj, hummus, tabouli, olives, etc.

Then we had a simple garden salad with endive, cucumbers, sliced grape tomatoes and a lemon olive oil dressing. Terrific.

Between this course and our main we were served a rosemary-grapefruit granite as a palate cleanser.

The main was a perfectly cooked rare filet mignon with Paris butter and Turned Chateau Potatoes with mixed vegetables. By far the best steak I’ve ever had on a plane and rivals many filets I’ve had on the ground. Yazan really hit it with this dish.

And then finally for dessert I chose a blueberry and marzipan crepe served warm with a vanilla sauce and a nice glass of Taylor’s 20 year old port.

An absolutely outstanding meal! It was much closer to eating in a fine restaurant than it was to dining on a plane. Extremely well done by Etihad.

Etihad works a little differently in First Class than most carriers. You’re very welcome to mix and match appetizers, mains, salads, etc. based on whatever it is you’d like today. That’s what the chef is for – to make what you want! I can’t even imagine what this is like on an ultra long haul flight.

I’m including the full menu below. Look away if you’re hungry.