I realize things have changed over the years on transatlantic flights, and we've changed in terms of how we (and I mean me and my family) fly from the West coast to Europe.

In all, I've found that I prefer the meals on foreign carriers more than domestic carriers out of L.A., although my son and niece made a bit of a joke about the horrible (to them) couscous on an economy flight on Air France from L.A. to Paris one year. However, we got upgraded on the return trip and I never heard so much raving about the food.

I found that foreign carriers, in general, don't charge for booze. Air New Zealand was probably the first foreign carrier we took to London in economy, and at least back then, everything was included in the price, no extras.

For business class and (on Virgin) premium economy, I'd rate the meals (own personal preference of course), from best to worst:
1. Air France, L.A. to Paris
2. KLM, L.A. to Amsterdam
3. Virgin, L.A. to London

One of the worst business class meals I've ever had was on Air France from LAX to CDG (second only to every business class meal I've ever had on China Eastern ;) ). They redeemed themselves with the catering ex-CDG though.