For purchasers, the reopenings are incredible information as a result of, put merely, American Airways Flagship Lounges are among the greatest home lounges in your entire nation. Listed below are my critiques of some of them again when instances have been a bit of extra precedented:
- American Airways JFK Flagship Lounge REVIEW
- American Airways Chicago Flagship Lounge REVIEW
- American Airways LAX Flagship Lounge REVIEW
- American Airways DFW Flagship Lounge REVIEW
However the Flagship Lounge shouldn’t be the one factor that reopened. The prize of American’s lounge community, Flagship First Eating, has reopened at JFK and MIA.
Flagship First Eating
This ultra-exclusive sit-down restaurant-style eating facility is a lounge-within-a-lounge. It’s obtainable for First Class passengers on 3-class worldwide flights or sure transcontinental flights (American’s entry grid is out there right here).
I’ve visited these amenities earlier than (the media preview at JFK and eating experiences at LAX and DFW) however was actually curious how issues modified after the pandemic closed the amenities. I used to be flying by means of JFK just lately on my technique to Italy (you’ll love these pics, coming quickly) and American Airways have been type sufficient to let me take a look at out the relaunched Flagship First Eating.
[disclaimer: staff at the dining room knew I was media but American Airlines have not reviewed this post and did not write any part of this review, all opinions are mine]
Flagship First Eating
All of it begins on the entryway to the Flagship Lounge, positioned close to Gate 12 at JFK’s T8, principally simply after safety. If in case you have entry to Flagship First Eating, you’ll be escorted there by a lounge attendant.
The room has two areas: the bar and the eating room. They’re a part of the identical room and include beacoup ramp views of American jets on the gates. There are numerous seating choices, from solo tables going through the home windows to two-top and sales space choices as nicely.
We have been initially seated at a two-top however a sales space opened up and we shortly moved there (I would like room to take my photos, it’s a course of).
The Menus
There are two primary menus for Flagship First Eating: a breakfast menu and an on a regular basis menu. We have been there within the afternevening (I’m making an attempt to make this a phrase, please use it) so we had the on a regular basis menus.
The drink record was spectacular, as have been the customized cocktails made completely for Flagship First Eating.
The Drinks
“Okay Andy,” you’re asking your self, “absolutely you didn’t take a look at nearly all the cocktails did you? You’d must be a mad man.”
I did. For you, my readers, I sampled nearly each one of many customized cocktails so I might offer you my up-to-date rankings and suggestions.
First off, I miss the Krug they used to serve. Laurent-Perrier is an efficient different but it surely’s simply not the identical. These are the issues that individuals love having, I’m totally conscious, but when your coronary heart is ready on Krug, it’s essential modify thine expectations.
First up, on the advice of a good friend of mine, was the Watermelon Mafia.
Watermelon Mafia
Calling one thing a Mafia drink brings its personal set of expectations, so I used to be stunned when the drink got here and…it was form of a peach coloration. And had a watermelon wedge protruding of it.
I’m an fanatic of salted rims to impart completely different flavors, although, so I revered the smoked paprika on the rim.
The Watermelon Mafia was scrumptious. It was easy, pure, and really refreshing. I’m a sucker for tequila drinks, so I’m biased a bit, however all the things labored rather well along with the paprika on the rim giving only a bit of warmth and depth to complete issues ofOMG TO FINISH THINGS OFF LIKE A MAFIA PERSON WOULD.
Blueberry Basil Gimlet
I’m not a lot of a vodka man, so I had some trepidation about this one.
I cherished how colourful the drink was! The vodka wasn’t overpowering to me, really I felt the basil, blueberry, and lime juice all labored collectively to enliven the drink. It was a good looking, colourful, and shiny drink. I didn’t count on to love it as a lot as I did!
Caramelized Fig Outdated Common
I stated above that I’m not a lot of a vodka man. As a lot as I’m not a vodka man, that’s how a lot of a bourbon man I’m, so I used to be very enthusiastic about this one.
Not solely have been the flavors completely excellent collectively, however they even had the American Airways brand on the big ice block! I’m a sucker for an amazing Outdated Common and this met my excessive expectations. Figs, particularly caramelized figs, are a sizzling taste proper now, the deep fig flavors actually enhanced the smoothness of the bourbon for me.
Mellow Manhattan
As a result of you’ll be able to’t have a premium cocktail record in New York Metropolis with out having a Manhattan on the menu!
The Mellow Manhattan was easy, candy, and at this level my photos began getting a bit of shaky from all of the sampling haha.
So how did I rank them? I’ll embrace the Flagship Lemonade, which I’ve tried earlier than. All the drinks have been nice in their very own method, however I completely cherished a couple of of them.
- Caramelized Fig Outdated Common
- Blueberry Basil Gimlet
- Watermelon Mafia
- Flagship Lemonade
- Mellow Manhattan
I used to be actually bummed they didn’t carry the Pisco Bitter again, it’s one in all my favourite drinks on this planet, however I believed the cocktails have been enjoyable, tasted nice, and had some nice hat ideas in direction of New York Metropolis that I loved. And I suppose I’m a sucker for an enormous brand on a block of ice.
The Starters
The cocktails occurred all through the meal, however I preferred batching the completely different phases of the meal collectively for this evaluate, so I’ll evaluate the starters as one group.
We began with an amuse bouche of whipped ricotta, pickled radish, herb oil, and grain crisp.
It was easy however tasty, with the bread offering a pleasant complement to the crunchy texture of the onions. The right preamble to a beautiful meal that can have me using the Peloton for some time to work off.
Our waitress got here by and requested simply essentially the most pretty query, “Would you want some cornbread?”
Sure, sure I might.
It arrived and it was incredible.
Freshly cooked within the forged iron pan by which it was served, the cornbread had a honey glaze on high and was served with jam and smoked butter. Completely excellent, talking as a man from the south who has consumed many lifetimes price of cornbread.
From there we had two starters that have been on the menu: the salmon tataki and smoked trout.
Additionally they introduced out the chickory salad as nicely, “as a result of why not?”
The three dishes have been nice, the winner in my eyes was the salmon tataki. Tart flavors offset by the gorgeous salmon which seemingly melted within the mouth, simply chic [makes chef’s kiss motion]
The Entrees
Oh man, how to select from the wonderful entrees! I had beforehand tried the burger (and it’s actually my favourite burger on this planet) so I went with the steak, after listening to another person say it was unbelievable. My good friend touring with me selected the scallops.
I discussed my deliberations between the burger and the steak to our waitress and she or he promptly returned with each the steak and the burger (as a result of why not?) along with the scallops.
The dishes have been completely lovely, the plating corresponding to Michelin-star eating places I’ve eaten at world wide.
The flavors have been daring and the dishes cooked to perfection. The steak was tender, the burger pretty much as good as I remembered (particularly the bacon marmalade), and the scallops have been only a pleasure.
I’m happy with the images I took, however can guarantee you the images don’t do these lovely dishes justice.
The desserts
At this level of the meal we have been filled with each foods and drinks, so, naturally, our waitress got here by to tell us she was simply going to carry us an assortment of desserts, as a result of why not?
FINE I’LL TRY THE DESSERTS.
We had the basic flan (with pistachio biscotti), the cranberry pomegranate crisp, and a good looking cheese plate.
Ultimately the solar started to set behind Manhattan within the distance and it was time to prepare for our flight, so we bid the workers farewell with a lot of gratitude after an epic meal.
The service
The service from the Flagship First Eating crew was simply fantastic. And never only for us. Pay attention, I do know that we obtained a reasonably favorable expertise as a result of they knew we have been media, however I saved my eyes on different service interactions and the workers had the identical heat and professionalism with everybody else. It’s clear the crew have good management and have been skilled nicely.
Summing it up
American Airways created this program in 2017, canceled it 18 months in the past due to the pandemic, and now it’s again. Put merely, Flagship First Eating represents the perfect that American Airways has to supply. The meals and cocktails are bold, unique, and evaluate favorably to the nice airline lounges on this planet.
If in case you have the possibility to expertise Flagship First Eating at any of the Flagship Lounges because the community reopens, do it. Get to the airport early. Give your self a couple of hours to do it proper. Savor each chunk and sip. As a result of why not?
Have you ever visited any of the Flagship First Eating amenities? What did you assume? Which cocktail and entree look the perfect to you from JFK? Inform me within the feedback under!
