We passed by numerous monuments, including the Arcul de Triumf, a large arch located in northern Bucharest. It was inaugurated in 1936 and is a smaller version of Paris' Arc de Triomphe.
Wings, the Anti-Communist Battle Monument, sits in front of the Free Press.
We flew business class on Turkish Airlines and had access to the Business Class lounge. At Otopeni, there was only 1 lounge serving all the airlines and this was laughable.
This was the food available. The croissant was dry. Very disappointing. Certainly not like SFO United Polaris or Istanbul Turkish Lounge. It was a quiet lounge but then again, the whole airport was quiet.
We ended up grabbing a snack at La Sarmale, which had typical Romanian cuisine. The sarmale (cabbage roll) was not cheap by Romanian standards--18.99 lei ($4.44) and was just okay. A little too mushy and too salty.
Our seats were comfortable and we had a lot of room. Not the fancy pods in some planes but I liked that I sat next to my travel companion and there was lots of storage space without using the overhead bins.
On our short hop from Otopeni Bucharest to Istanbul, we were served freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit & homemade yogurt, homemade red chili pepper jam from Alacati, Trabzon countryside butter, green olives from Bodrum, "Menemen" (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green peppers in a traditional casserole), regional Turkish cheeses (aged Kasar from Kars, thyme infused Ezine from Canakkale and burgu from Usak, smoked salmon and selection of croissant and danishes. I had to eat fast to finish my meal before our 1 hour 25 min flight landed.
Welcome homemade raspberry lemonade.
Gourmet nuts and champagne followed.
Canapes were presented before the appetizer trolley was wheeled out. The lamb on the right was delicious!
Appetizers included Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Pesto & Parmesan; Bocconcini, Arugula & Cherry Tomatoes; Roasted Red Pepper Hummus; Saksuka (cooked in olive oil) Eggplant in Tomato Sauce; Marinated Seafood Salad; Smoked Salmon. All were delicious!
One of the options for the main was Steak & Salad with Grilled Tomato Carpacchio and Fresh Arugula. The stead was good but not as flavorful as the one I had on the outbound flight from SFO.
The other main option was Sea Bass en Papilotte, Julienne Vegetables and Roasted Red Pepper. The fish was very tender and had good flavor.
I was stuffed by the time the Dessert Trolley was wheeled out but I had to try the Chocolate Ball with Mango Ice Cream and the Semolina Dessert. Both were good.
My husband ordered the Chocolate Ball and a wedge of cheese.
Before we landed, we were served Mozzarella & Tomato Salad, Garden Fresh Salad, Traditional Dolma Varieties (minced beef stuffed vine leaves and zucchini) and Karniyarik (eggplant with minced beef), tomato sauce and yogurt. Dessert was chocolate mousse.
I highly recommend flying business class on Turkish Airlines. You will be spoiled.
2019 09 28
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