Current Qantas First Lounge Menu (SYD/MEL) and relevant topics

[kermatu]

I believe she was an Accor Staff Member and is a relatively new waitress in the lounge.

Ha, I was right!

I thought you meant a pax.

Hardly an objective opinion then.

 

[kermatu]

Asparagus, bacon, poached egg. Quite nice, though not a whole of either the asparagus or bacon.

This was in MEL. Had one other dish already posted from earlier menus (risotto) which was good. While I don’t think much of the current menu, the quality of the food seemed significantly better. May be because the usual chef wasn’t working? Also noticeably more attentive table service - water and wine glasses were never empty for more than a minute or so.

 

[Rugby]

Our first Flounge lunch today since August, our recent trips have been morning flights. I agree this menu is a bit of a struggle. The Gua Boa for mine wasn’t packing much flavour, but I didn’t mind the asparagus with bacon, poached egg and almond tarator (Mrs Rugby not a fan) For mains we had the pappardelle which was not big on flavour either - I did enjoy the pasta itself though, and the butter chicken which was the highlight - nice spice.

The decanter is in play with the Grosset Gaia 2014, which we’ve really enjoyed here before. I’m enjoying the Chardonnay at the moment but will have a glass of the Gaia with our mandatory cheese burger later on. We also both managed to land spa treatments which were excellent, reminded us of the Payot days - so all up another great Flounge afternoon and nice start to our break.

 

[diningdecadence]

does food service begin immediately upon opening at 5am? I'm on EK415 which departs at 6am but contemplating a super fast visit to the lounge first. cheers

 

[Ansett]

Yes and let them know when you go straight to the dining area you are on that flight and in a hurry.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

This was in MEL. Had one other dish already posted from earlier menus (risotto) which was good. While I don’t think much of the current menu, the quality of the food seemed significantly better. May be because the usual chef wasn’t working? Also noticeably more attentive table service - water and wine glasses were never empty for more than a minute or so.

I've found the gap between good and indifferent service to be wider in MEL than SYD. I won't name names of course but there's a staff member in MEL who is outstanding.... and then there are some that aren't.

The risotto is becoming a decent staple of the menu these days after being promoted from appearances as the daily special last year.

 

[nige_perth]

My observation, I find the team in MEL F lounge to be uninterested in PAX and that we are a disturbance to them. What's it with having to confirm your flight number each time you request food or alcohol? Never happens in SYD.

 

[bosox76]

My observation, I find the team in MEL F lounge to be uninterested in PAX and that we are a disturbance to them. What's it with having to confirm your flight number each time you request food or alcohol? Never happens in SYD.

On our recent visits (Nov 2017 and last week) to the MEL lounge, we were never asked our flight number after the boarding pass was sighted pre ordering. I found the service on both occasions to be quite good. No empty glasses and ensuring dishes didn’t sit empty on the table for very long. 2 different servers on each occasion. Small sample observation only.

 

[kermatu]

I'm rarely asked for my flight details or boarding pass - but has happened in both SYD and MEL. Was told once (quite a long time ago) it was partly so they knew if you were likely to be in a rush, but also to keep some stats on consumption patterns - more relevant to MEL given greater peaks and troughs in pax numbers and (at least at the time) more variable flights on a day-to-day basis.

Other than struggling a bit when full (but that's natural), I find SYD to have consistently good service, throughout the lounge. Agree MEL is more variable, despite my own good treatment. I did see on my most recent visit this month much more proactive service and two attendants specifically working the seating area - which has often been very ad hoc in the past.

 

[serfty]

Busy MEL lounge tonight; seating and workstation areas proactively monitored ... (hic!)

 

[serfty]

Had the Guo Bao x 2 .... brilliant.

The Mahi Mahi was really good too:

 

[kookaburra75]

Busy MEL lounge tonight; seating and workstation areas proactively monitored ... (hic!)

Not too busy tonight, but service has been good, and yes, they kept me topped up while i was on a teleconference in the workstation area. At least it will help me sleep. The Chicken and Eggplant Salad was excellent.

 

[bosox76]

Had the Guo Bao x 2 .... brilliant.

The Mahi Mahi was really good too:

View attachment 116496

View attachment 116497

I agree the Gua Bao was delish. On our visit the mahi mahi was replaced with swordfish. Initially I was going to change as my previous experiences with swordfish weren’t so positive but I thought it was very well done. Very moist with lots of flavour.

 

[mmchow]

Had the Gua Bao yesterday and it was indeed delicious but am I the only one finding the bun a little dense and not soft as one bao should be? Maybe I was the unlucky one

 

[TomVexille]

Had the Gua Bao yesterday and it was indeed delicious but am I the only one finding the bun a little dense and not soft as one bao should be? Maybe I was the unlucky one

The first time I had them the buns were excellent, the second time they were a bit hard

 

[kermatu]

Had the Gua Bao yesterday and it was indeed delicious but am I the only one finding the bun a little dense and not soft as one bao should be? Maybe I was the unlucky one

Sydney or Melbourne?

Have had twice in SYD, both excellent. Twice in MEL, first time not great (including hard bao), second was better.

 

[serfty]

Generally I have found the buns to be softish. No matter; it's what's inside that counts!

 

[mmchow]

Sydney or Melbourne?

Have had twice in SYD, both excellent. Twice in MEL, first time not great (including hard bao), second was better.

I do recall my sister ordered it once back in Dec and the bun was also a little tough. Both times in Sydney.

Generally I have found the buns to be softish. No matter; it's what's inside that counts! View attachment 117565

So true!

 

[TomVexille]

Sydney or Melbourne?

Have had twice in SYD, both excellent. Twice in MEL, first time not great (including hard bao), second was better.

MEL both times here

 

[Rugby]

Any Autumn menu sightings yet?