Review of Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles in First

Greetings Flight Reporters and welcome to another whirlwind Asian adventure. This was an especially exciting trip for me because I was bringing along a friend who was a complete newbie to most of the experiences I had planned for this trip. New to first class on top airlines, premium lounges, and new to a couple of the cities we visited. It's always a special treat for me to share experiences that I I value with someone else that I think will value them as well. To see things again through the newness of someone else's eyes. The reports of our travel will be broken down as follows:
Star Alliance Lounges LAX and ANA LAX-HND (777-300ER - First)
ANA Suite Lounge HND and Singapore Airlines HND-SIN (777-300ER - First)
SQ The Private Room and T2 First Class Lounge and Singapore Airlines SIN-CGK (777-300 - First)
Pura Indaih First Class Lounge and Japan Airlines CGK-NRT (777-300ER - First)
JAL First Class Lounge NRT and Cathay Pacific NRT-HKG (777-300ER - First)
This Pier and The Wing and Cathay Pacific HKG-LAX (777-300ER - First) (This Report)
I am finally circling back to complete this series. Apologies for the delay. I know everyone is on the edge of their keyboards wondering, "How was The Pier?" "Was the CX F bed comfortable?" "Was the Krug well chilled?" The wait is over. Those questions and more will be answered below. You're welcome. :P
In my last installment we had a significant delay and lost all our ground time in Hong Kong. I had booked us at the Intercontinental Hong Kong which is a great location for seeing the sights. At this point however it was a hindrance as it is not close to the airport. Oh well, at least my travel pal got to see that iconic view of Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. There is probably no better place to view this than form the Intercontinental.
We took a taxi from the hotel to the airport for convenience and expediency. We didn't arrive at the airport as early as would otherwise due to our late hotel arrival last night (early this morning really).

Check In

I obtained my boarding pass at the First Class check in despite not having bags to check. It was nothing special.

The Pier

My travel pal was flying CX back to NRT to connect to a DL flight home but I was able to guest him into The Pier so we went there directly.

Having not eaten since the flight last night we decided to start our stay in The Dining.

The menu column 1.

The menu column 2.

The service was on the spot in this sparsely populated dining room.
I started with The Cleanser and a cappuccino.

Mark went full American and requested the eggs where I opted for one more taste of the local fare and requested the turnip cakes and the duck noodles. The soup noodles stood out here as my favorite item.

After breakfast we made a stop at the Bureau to sort some last minute flight details for Mark.

Finally, we retired to The Library to soak up the ramp side ambiance, and some champagne.

Before the contract changed to Plaza Premium.

The bar menu.

Bar

We didn't use the day suites this time, although they were readily available.

I can't resist these jarred "tapas" from The Pantry. Lovely with the champagne.

My flight was leaving from gate 4 so I bid my pal adieu and relocated to The Wing until boarding.

The Wing

I dropped anchor in a comfortable chair in the Champagne Bar.

I looked around The Wing on the way to the gate.

CX898 HKG-LAX

I made my way to gate 4 which was a bit of a chore as the lines for the various flights clog the access to gate 4. There was a proper queue for F but diluted with various status flyers.

Boarding began shortly and I was greeted at the door by the IFSM and shown to my seat by on of the 2 F flight attendants. My favorite seat in CX F is 2A. Only 2 seats on this side of the cabin makes for a very private and low traffic area.

A look at the other side. I'd sit there too!

Roi and Calvin were the to flight attendants in F today. I would have the same two flight attendants on an LAX-HKG F ride about a year later. They are both top notch and very polished performers. Roi was ready with refreshment.

This was before the pre-departure amuse was enhanced away.

Getting comfortable in my surroundings. The seat is epic in lounging, dining, and sleeping positions.

Pop into the lav to change into the lounge suit.

Boarding is complete and we head out for a short taxi and takeoff.

After passing 10,00ft the crew is up and offering service. I ask Roi if I might have some Krug now and enjoy lunch in about 2 hours. Roi obliged and was back soon with the spectacular Krug.

The menu was also presented. The wine promotion was paying tribute to the Pessac-Leognan region of Bordeaux.
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Such a delightful time in the flight when it's all ahead and one can relax and soak up this incredible experience of comfort, flavors, and serivce.

Lunch started after passing Taipei. The table was set and the games begin.

Caviar and Krug to start. Such a complimentary pairing. The presentation and accoutrements reinforce the special occasion nature of this course.

I branched out from the safety of the Krug. An interesting Austrian.

The Soup was next. Not spectacular.

A simple salad garnished with asparagus.

For the main course I opted for the beef striploin. It's such a handsome cut.

Classic sauces.

I would prefer more pink but the beef is tender, juicy and full of flavor.

On Roi's suggestion. Well paired with the powerful meat. A well seasoned and cooked steak and some full bodied red wine are a treat for the senses.

Enjoying a steak Japan adjacent.

This train has left the station and it's making every stop. Up next, rather uninspired cheese presentation.

The penultimate stop is a sweet apple and rhubarb tart with ice cream. I manage a bite but it's not my passion.

A very beautifully presented and paced dining experience. After the tools are cleared I am left to enjoy a digestif of Signet served with an assortment of pralines.

The days with very little sleep combined with a liberal application of booze mean it's time to lay down. There is hardly a better place in the sky to rest one's intoxicated head than in CX F.

My sleep stays intact until we are coming up on the coast of California. I rise and am no sooner greeted by Calvin and offered breakfast. Of course I accept, I have a FR to write. Fruit, coffee, and eggs are presented.

My breakfast view of the San Francisco Bay Area.

I save these for some reason. I guess I appreciate the sentiment.

All too soon we're over the 405 freeway and lining up for 24R.

My flight of fancy ends next to another 777-300ER and it's off to face real life. It was a distinct pleasure while it lasted.