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Amtrak’s Acela menu gets upgrade from James Beard restaurateur

An Amtrak customer enjoying baked manicotti and wine on an Acela train. (Courtesy Amtrak)
Chilled sesame noodles are part of a premium menu created by Stephen Starr for Amtrak’s first-class passengers. (Courtesy Amtrak)
A black pepper beef dish is part of a premium menu created by Stephen Starr for Amtrak’s first-class passengers. (Courtesy Amtrak)
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Chilled sesame noodles are part of a premium menu created by Stephen Starr for Amtrak's first-class passengers. (Courtesy Amtrak)

Amtrak has partnered with for a new, premium menu for Acela first-class passengers.

Starr’s restaurants in D.C. include Le Diplomate and St. Anselm, a finalist in two categories in the upcoming Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington 2023 RAMMY Awards. Starr has also received James Beard Award honors, including Outstanding Restaurateur and Best New Restaurant for his Le Coucou in New York.

Starr has also earned Restaurateur of the Year honors from both Bon Appétit and Zagat.

STARR Restaurant Group has three dozen restaurants in Philadelphia, New York City, D.C. and Florida.

“I’ve worked on some really cool projects outside the walls of our restaurants, but the opportunity to collaborate on a premium dining menu for Amtrak’s Acela First Class might be my favorite project thus far,” said Starr. “I’ve always loved train travel and I’m a frequent Acela First Class customer on the Philly to NYC segment, as are many of our guests.”

The Acela First Class menu will have a rotating selection of STARR Restaurant Group entrees from his restaurants, including and chilled sesame noodles.

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Amtrak has also upgraded its wine menu, and added fresh baked pastries from local bakeries for morning Acela trains.

Meals and drinks in Acela First Class are complimentary and include at-seat service. For ticketed Business Class Acela passengers, Amtrak also has a to request an upgrade to first class, based on availability.

In D.C., STAR Restaurant Group will also soon Pastis at Union Market.

Jeff Clabaugh

Jeff Clabaugh has spent 20 years covering the Washington region's economy and financial markets for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ as part of a partnership with the Washington Business Journal, and officially joined the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ newsroom staff in January 2016.

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