Local, fresh, safely packaged items and sustainable products will be served by Lounge attendants
NEW YORK – Amtrak customers now have access to complimentary premium food and beverage products in the Metropolitan Lounge at the Moynihan Train Hall in New York City in compliance with local safety guidelines.
With a curated menu designed exclusively for the Moynihan Train Hall Metropolitan Lounge, customers can enjoy locally sourced, fresh and safely packaged items, including a selection of snacks, pastries, yogurt parfaits, fruit, salads, sandwiches and premium drinks and specialty coffee service (i.e. espresso, lattes, americanos, etc.) throughout the day. Travelers with dietary restrictions will also be accommodated with a variety of vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free options. Amtrak is also sourcing sustainable and eco-friendly cups and silverware, as all cups, lids and flatware are compostable and sip lids are provided in lieu of straws. Later in the year, customers can enjoy bar service with alcohol, hot food offerings and other new features.
“When we began developing the menu for the Metropolitan Lounge, we sought to offer premium products that were commensurate with the first-rate experience at the Moynihan Train Hall,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer Roger Harris. “Now, customers can enjoy local, fresh, sustainable and safely packed food and beverages that are exclusive to the Moynihan Train Hall.”
Due to current New York City guidelines on indoor dining and drinking, all food items will be on display on or behind the food service counter and will be served to travelers as individually pre-packaged items from a masked and gloved server from across the service counter. The customer will be accompanied through the ordering process and able to take their order to their seat or with them as they depart the Metropolitan Lounge. While the Moynihan Train Hall and Metropolitan Lounge opened to the public on Jan.1, New York City indoor dining restrictions delayed the launch of Amtrak’s food and beverage service. In accordance with New York City’s Emergency Executive Order No. 225, everyone 12 and older is required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter the Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall.
The Metropolitan Lounge is open Monday to Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to. 9:00 p.m. Food and beverage service will be available from lounge opening until 8:00 p.m. everyday. The lounge is available for Amtrak Guest Rewards® Select Executive and Select Plus members, Acela First Class and private room customers and Single-Day Pass holders, with same-day reservations.
The Metropolitan Lounge is also staffed by attendants who are available to assist with reservations, ticketing, Red Cap service and local information. The Metropolitan Lounge also has unique finishes, furnishings, décor and features, including a grand entry and reception with a welcome desk and luxurious customer seating, various seating neighborhoods for solo, group or family lounging, luggage storage lockers, integrated power and USB access at most seats, a business center, private restrooms, a nursing room, train information boards, a family area, and an expansive balcony with café-style seating overlooking the rest of the Train Hall.
Per federal law and Amtrak policy, all customers and employees must wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard and in stations. Face masks can be removed briefly while actively eating, drinking or taking medication.
In addition to the new, flagship Metropolitan Lounge that provides select travelers with a high-quality experience, Moynihan Train Hall features several amenities and benefits to travelers. This includes large, spacious areas for customers to explore and physical distance from others, accessible features that cater to the needs of all Amtrak customers, state-of-the-art technologies using the free customer WiFi throughout the station, a large boarding concourse that features a sky lit atrium, a new reserved customer waiting room, and Red Cap Service.