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

[Foreigner]

I havent put my glasses on but is there cheese platter on menu?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I havent put my glasses on but is there cheese platter on menu?

Not usually on the menu but can be ordered

 

[justinbrett]

ET has an article on the new winter menu, and it contains an official quote about the lack of off menu coughtails.

“If someone asks for something that's not on the coughtail menu but within that lighter aperitif-style, we’re able to serve that… but when it comes to things like martinis and double-shots, that’s not our style.”

So it is just about the booze. Someone at QF really has a thing against spirits.

Really disappointing.

 

[Peasant]

I don’t often ask for anything other than wine or champagne, but a few weeks ago I felt like an Espresso martini.

I was told they can only do coughtails that are the equivalent of one standard drink. And in the dining area at least, nothing that’s off-menu.

 

[Ade]

double-shots

Double shots, mate? big night last night?

 

[justinbrett]

I don’t often ask for anything other than wine or champagne, but a few weeks ago I felt like an Espresso martini.

I was told they can only do coughtails that are the equivalent of one standard drink. And in the dining area at least, nothing that’s off-menu.

Yep, that's consistent with the ET article, and my failure to get an Espresso Martini since 2020 (though managed to get one in MEL last year when the lounge was quiet)

It's a bit ridiculous, since they're happy to keep topping up champagne - which IMO is probably easier to neck than most coughtails; and you could always go down to the J lounge and help yourself to a glass of straight vodka.

Meanwhile a lot of US airlines will give you 2x50ml bottles of spirits when you ask for a single drink.

 

[Daver6]

ET has an article on the new winter menu, and it contains an official quote about the lack of off menu coughtails.

“If someone asks for something that's not on the coughtail menu but within that lighter aperitif-style, we’re able to serve that… but when it comes to things like martinis and double-shots, that’s not our style.”

So it is just about the booze. Someone at QF really has a thing against spirits.

Really disappointing.

By not our style, what they mean is it's not our style to please and delight customers and we're cheap. Honestly, what a crock of you know what.

 

[justinbrett]

By not our style, what they mean is it's not our style to please and delight customers and we're cheap. Honestly, what a crock of you know what.

It's not about money - spirits are relatively cheap per serve compared to the wine and champagne they have. Even a cheapish champagne of $40/bottle is $5/standard drink, far more than most spirits they stock.

It's some weird thing they have against spirits.

 

[Cognac]

ET has an article on the new winter menu, and it contains an official quote about the lack of off menu coughtails.

“If someone asks for something that's not on the coughtail menu but within that lighter aperitif-style, we’re able to serve that… but when it comes to things like martinis and double-shots, that’s not our style.”

So it is just about the booze. Someone at QF really has a thing against spirits.

Really disappointing.

Hmmm, Ms Cognac was refused an off-menu drink in London earlier this year, I just assumed it was something to do with UK regulations and didn't think any more of it. Had no idea it was Qantas-wide.

 

[Foreigner]

Mind you, there happens to be a secret menu:

Here is Qantas’ secret first class lounge menu

First class travellers and other high flyers enjoy a special menu that’s off limits to everyone else...

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[kpc]

Mind you, there happens to be a secret menu:

Here is Qantas’ secret first class lounge menu

First class travellers and other high flyers enjoy a special menu that’s off limits to everyone else...

www.executivetraveller.com

Seriously nothing that special about those 2 dishes which have been on the standard menu in the past

 

[RichardMEL]

I had forgotten about the spirits rule when I asked for an Espresso Martini (hardly a hugely boozy coughtail imo) and was declined. Bemused really as I'd had them in the past in MEL/SYD F and HKG J(the old version) happily made and served. Seems such a strange decision, specially for a "First" lounge.

Did it ruin my visit? no, but it just seemed weird tbh.

Double Shots maattte indeed.

 

[justinbrett]

I had forgotten about the spirits rule when I asked for an Espresso Martini (hardly a hugely boozy coughtail imo) and was declined. Bemused really as I'd had them in the past in MEL/SYD F and HKG J(the old version) happily made and served. Seems such a strange decision, specially for a "First" lounge.

Did it ruin my visit? no, but it just seemed weird tbh.

Double Shots maattte indeed.

Pack a coughtail shaker in your carryon and head down to the J lounge to make it yourself

 

[muppet]

Mind you, there happens to be a secret menu:

Here is Qantas’ secret first class lounge menu

First class travellers and other high flyers enjoy a special menu that’s off limits to everyone else...

www.executivetraveller.com

Does anyone have any recent experiences of this “roped off area” for F and CL/P1 pax?

Worth bothering?

 

[SYD]

Does anyone have any recent experiences of this “roped off area” for F and CL/P1 pax?

Worth bothering?

Bothering for what? It’s just a reserved section at the far end. No real diff with “Reserved” signs on tables in LAX (and SIN J used to have).

 

[muppet]

Bothering for what? It’s just a reserved section at the far end. No real diff with “Reserved” signs on tables in LAX (and SIN J used to have).

Bothering with trying to sit there … QF staff are not usually proactive at offering things.

I think ‘no real diff’ sums it up.

 

[SYD]

Bothering with trying to sit there … QF staff are not usually proactive at offering things.

I think ‘no real diff’ sums it up.

If you’re P1, then head on over. It’s usually pretty empty. I would.

 

[kermatu]

Bothering with trying to sit there … QF staff are not usually proactive at offering things.

I think ‘no real diff’ sums it up.

My last visit I was invited there. But it was mid-morning and I didn't want breakfast, so declined. When I went for lunch after my spa session, it was empty and completely roped off. A corner table in the next section was available so was happy enough with that. Didn't identify myself as either P1 nor a First passenger, so no secret menu.

 

[kermatu]

Someone at QF really has a thing against spirits.

Agree the approach with spirits is really poor and has been for some time, especially in SYD. Though to be fair, think I've only ever once been denied a double shot.

Just the other night was proactively offered a double Dalwhinnie 15 in MEL.


Perhaps just to finish off the bottle. (Hopefully not their last).

Never been denied a Bloody Mary or (in the past) an Old Fashioned - but I guess these fit the aperitif ethos.

As others have said, makes no sense from a RSA perspective, nor costs. I recall a discussion with the MEL F&B manager a few years back where he said QF management simply didn't prioritise securing spirits over other airport lounges.

 

[justinbrett]

Still Autumn menu as of today (5th June).

Here’s some proof for @RooFlyer that I do voluntarily order NP leaves.