Food seem better on Amtrak lately? Here's why...

In case you wondered, yes, the food has gotten better on Amtrak trains. Long a sore point with regular riders, the food has often been soggy and bland in the past.

Well, Amtrak has been consulting with some of the nation's premier chefs to pump up your train food a little. In fact, Amtrak is trying to "go gourmet," according to this recent Washington Post article.

Amtrak has employed a test kitchen in Wilmington, Del., to try new recipes. Most of the important chefs on its consulting list are from the Washington, D.C., area. The names mean nothing to me, since I'm not a foodie. The important thing is that the new menu items are being rolled out on Amtrak routes nationwide - mainly on the long-distance routes for now.

Another noteworthy point is that the chefs were not paid, at least not directly. Instead, they were offered "miles" in the Amtrak Rewards travel program as compensation. I call this a creative use of an alternate and readily available currency for an agency that is forever under the microscope in Congress.

Cool Capitol Corridor summer travel deal

Amtrak's Capitol Corridor route is offering a tremendous summer deal. Buy one full-price fare to any destination on the Capitol Corridor, and up to five of your friends can ride for only $5 each.

The deal is valid for travel through Sept. 1. It's a great complement for hiking groups traveling by train. It's even valid for folks who want to take Amtrak Thruway bus service to San Francisco.

For all the details (and there are a few restrictions), click here: Amtrak Take 5 fare deal.

Teaser shot

Is it an Alexander Calder sculpture? One leg of an invading spaceship?

No, this is just one of the sights you'll see on the next Capitol Corridor TrainTrek, which I should have posted in a couple days. Stay tuned!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy