Eating off the rails: Is VIA finally upping its catering game?

 As I've mentioned I am a frequent train traveler, usually between Ottawa and Toronto. With them extending the eligibility during COVID I was able to achieve the highest tier of VIA's frequent traveler program this year. One of the perks? We get to choose our meal selection before everyone else so we allays get our first choice.

Seems like a small perk, but it is disappointing to get stuck with the pasta. I have noticed a lot of repetition in their menu offerings -- the same baked hake or cold chicken offerings seem to come up a lot. But while we're still waiting for the new train cars on this route, a new menu option was offered on a recent trip that I just had to try -- BBQ brisket with mac and cheese.

Now, I went into this with expectations properly aligned. Beef is hard to reheat on a train, and brisket is best served fresh at a bbq smokehouse. But this was so different from the usual options I had to give it a shot.

Let's dispense with the sides first. Bread selection as per normal, good. Pudding with grilled pineapple, meh. Burrata cheese with cherry tomatoes, new and excellent, refreshing. I passed on the olives.

On to the main. The brussel sprouts were a surprise but went well with the rest of the dish. The macaroni and cheese was actually macaroni, and it was hot and reasonably cheesy. The brisket, while a little overcooked and not to smokehouse standards, was within train standards, had some nice bark, and a tasty BBQ sauce.

All in all, a worthy addition to VIA's menu rotation. Would definitely order again.

On the other end of the new menu spectrum, on a recent trip I was offered a beef noddle stir fry. Recognizing another new menu offering I again decided to give it a chance. This time, it was not the home run the brisket mac and cheese was.

Again, let's dispense with the sides. Bun good. Two cheeses with grapes, delish. I'm hazy on the dessert. I think it was the apple pie; I have had that a few times and it was delish. They don't skimp on the cinnamon, or the apples. 

On to the mains. I had an excellent crispy beef stir fry on The Canadian for lunch. This was definitely not that. Chunks of unseasoned and overcooked tough beef. The noodles were good and sauces though I would have liked the beg mixed in. And lima beans in a stir fry? Was there a sale?

Anyway, not on my have again any time soon list.  But keep the cheese in the rotation please.

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My trip to VIA's The Canadian: Ottawa to Toronto in business class

 If you follow my social media channels, you'll know I just spent five days taking VIA Rail's iconic "The Canadian" train, from Toronto to Vancouver. I posted short recap videos along the way (day five will go up tomorrow) and I'll also be posting a longer video for each day of the journey.

I'm aiming to post these once a week, every Monday, with my thoughts on the journey and the travel that day. This week, here's my trip to the train -- a business class trip on VIA's "corridor" service from Ottawa to Toronto. 

It's a trip I've done many times, and helped me earn enough VIA Preference points to do my trip on The Canadian at no cost, entirely on points. 

A few thoughts on VIAs business service in the corridor. The seats are comfortable, and the single seats are great for solo travelers. I like the lounges, but some light snacks would be nice. The ticket includes a meal and open bar; the bar opens at 11 AM so book your trip accordingly to get full value for money. There are usually three entrée choices but in limited numbers so you may not get your choice. I always go for the fish, it's consistently good and easier to heat properly than, say, beef.

Speaking of value for money, VIA has been nickel and diming it in business recently. First world problems, but if I'm paying a premium I have expectations. They cut the size of the cups in half so they can get away with serving you less. Even for water, it's a little cup like on an airplane when it used to be twice the size. And as you'll see in the video, they won't give you a full can of pop anymore. They say it's because "there's been too many accidents" but spills are way more common with the glasses and they will still sell you a can in coach.

So while I like VIA Rail's premium product in the corridor, their short-sighted cost-cutting is devaluing the product and making it less worth the buy-up over economy class. And the fact they still don't have advance seat selection and meal ordering (other than dietary/allergy/religious needs) is silly.

Stay tuned for more videos weekly as I review the food, the service and the sites on The Canadian.

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