Restaurant A380 @Changi: An Unforgettable Singapore Airlines Business Class Dining Experience

Singapore Airlines announced an exclusive dining experience on board an Airbus A380 back in September and the initial tickets (for 24 and 25 October 2020) were snapped up quickly. Two more dates have opened up since then but I had the pleasure of dining in one of the beautifully-retrofitted A380s yesterday and it was truly a surreal experience. I had initially thought that I have gotten over the fact that I will be not able to travel in the near future but being on the plane and back on one of my personal favourite Business Class products brought back such fond memories.

Boarding the Aircraft
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

There were plenty of activities in the gate hold room but the cabin crew making their way onto the flight really brought everyone together (not physically of course since there were safe management measures in place). It was an emotional moment for many of us (especially those who travel extensively for work and leisure) and I never thought I would feel that way personally. Dinner started a couple of minutes late but as soon as I was in my seat, everything was fantastic.

Seat 12A
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

I was assigned to Seat 12A by the window for my Restaurant A380 @Changi experience and in case you do not already know this, only newly-retrofitted A380 products were utilised for this event. While I have flown on an A380 quite extensively (especially between Singapore and Auckland for work), I have only experienced the new Business Class product once on a flight from Shanghai to Singapore back in 2018. 

Business Class Cabin
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

The iconic Singapore Sling was served to all passengers (regardless of cabin class) and even though I have never gotten one on board, I have to say that it was actually quite delicious - it is also very lethal since you can't quite taste the alcohol but trust me, it will creep up on you. According to the initial marketing materials, each passenger is only allowed up to two alcoholic beverages during the lunch or dinner experience but apparently, this was not enforced throughout the event - I ended up with five drinks (since I am supposed to be on a detox this week) throughout dinner. 

Satay and Singapore Sling
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

Anyone who has flown in Suites, First or Business Class with Singapore Airlines will definitely look forward to the satay and I am no exception - the presentation is actually quite different from what I typically get on an 'actual' flight but the taste was exactly how I have imagined it to be. if you travel quite extensively on flights, you might notice that the food on the ground tastes a little bit different - there's actual science behind it and I highly recommend that you give it a bit of a read if that is something that interests you. I did notice that the food served on the ground was generally hotter (temperature-wise) than what I would typically get in the air.

Selection of Drinks
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

I opted for a glass of Champagne when the drink trolley came around - the service was exactly how you would expect in the air (except it was slightly more informal this time since it is supposedly a 'fun' event). As you will already know, Singapore Airlines offers Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut Champagne in Business Class but while I do prefer the previous Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, it is still a decent drink. 

Flaked Smoked Salmon
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

The next course was an appetiser of Flaked Smoked Salmon which was served with seaweed mayonnaise, mesclun lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. One of the cabin crew also came around with a bread basket and it goes without saying that almost everyone around me opted for the garlic bread - if you have tried it, you will know what it is all about. If you have not, make sure you sign-up for some of the best credit cards in Singapore so you can start accruing miles for use on First and Business Class when things get back to a new normal. 

Diners who opted for the Business Class experience can opt for one of the following three main courses:

• Book The Cook Favourite Grilled Beef Fillet with Black Pepper Sauce

• Pan-Seared Prawns and Scallops on Saffron Broth

• Suzuki Saikyo Yaki

Grilled Beef Fillet with Black Pepper Sauce
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

I went with one of my favourite dishes - the grilled beef fillet with black pepper sauce and it was garnished with baby carrots, snap peas, cauliflower, and truffled mash potato. While it is difficult to get properly-cooked (or reheated) beef on flights, I have had amazing experiences on Singapore Airlines in Suites, as well as in Business Class (especially on the Singapore-Auckland route). I have to say that it is definitely easier to serve beef at the right doneness on the ground and it was everything I had imagined - delicious, tender, and flavourful. 

Baked Cheesecake with Sable Crust
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

The dessert was a Baked Cheesecake with Sable Crust and it was topped with fresh mangoes and roasted almond flakes - very pretty visually and flavours were light, refreshingly, and immensely enjoyable (pair it with a glass of Champagne, obviously). 

I also opted for an assorted platter of cheese which was served with crackers, fig paste, dried fruit, and nut. Unlike how it was served previously, the cheese selection has already been plated so you do not actually have to pick which ones you like (and which ones you don't). I had secretly hoped for the Boursin cheese but that didn't happen last night so I guess I will just have to wait until leisure travel is allowed again. 

Cheese Platter
Singapore Airlines - Restaurant A380 @Changi

On the whole, I really did enjoy my experience onboard the Restaurant A380 @Changi. I was initially quite skeptical about the experience but being back in that cabin and experiencing that familiarity truly brought back fond memories of traveling. While I do not foresee leisure travel to immediately rebound to the way it was pre-COVID, it does seem like we are all slowly heading towards the right direction and like everyone else, we will be ready to take it to the skies once again when the time is right.