The train had two elegantly-furnished dining cars which, if anything, were over-staffed for our passenger load. It was during the off-season, just before the service shut down for the summer, so everyone was served in a single seating.
Food and service quality were easily equal to that of a quality land-based hotel, though the selections may not have been as large. To adjust for cultural differences, they wisely offered a ‘tasting menu’ where diners could sample various dishes from Continental, Indian, and other Asian cuisines. A parade of servers would pass through the car, each bearing platters of a specific item.Given a choice of ten or more. we could always find at least a few we liked, in sufficient quantities for a satisfying meal. (They served one of the best samples of seafood Florentine that I’ve ever had --- and brought me a second helping that I suspect was specially cooked for me.)
Menu selections varied from meal to meal --- in India, lunches were often bigger and better meals than dinners --- and usually offered at least one choice each from poultry, meat or vegetarian. Usually there were at least two of each --- one seasoned to Indian tastes and another for the rest of us.
(Make the most of those hearty lunch offerings; dinner won’t be served until 7:30 or 8:00.)
Wines were available by the bottle only, but if you didn’t have a tablemate to share it with, or didn’t care to finish it in one sitting, the wine steward would mark the bottle with your name and cabin number and store it for you. The wines were high quality but priced accordingly. (Unlike the American Orient Express and some other luxe trains, the Palace on Wheels didn’t offer complimentary wine with dinner.)
We had two lunches and two dinners off the train, all at palatial (literally!) five-star hotels. Two especially memorable ones --- both still serving as living quarters for local maharajahs --- will get separate reviews.
Breakfasts were served in a sitting room at the end of each sleeping car. They were basically Continental, supplemented by eggs cooked to order by one of the car attendants.
Lighting in the diner was too subdued for photography, but a photo of the lounge car interior will give you a good idea of the decor.
This is one week where you’ll DEFINITELY eat well.
From journal A week on India's 'Palace on Wheels'