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

[DavidFlynn]

If you're in a rush, try to read the menu before you go and have you order in mind so you can get the order as soon as they seat you.

That's top advice.

Another strategy: as soon as you sit down, order your coffee of other preferred tipple and while that's being prepared, peruse the menu and make your selection/s... your cuppa/tipple will usually be back within minutes and then you can place your meal order right then, this is useful during busy times.

But if you are in a hurry, by all means let them know (in a nice diplomatic way: eg "I'm on QFxx and think I've only got X minutes before my flight boards, do you reckon that's enough time for the [insert name of dish here]?") in case there's a way they can expedite that order for you.

I must admit, like many regulars my orders – at least from the breakfast menu – are rather predictable, to the point where the regular wait staff (especially Tomas and Louie!) know pretty much what I'm having, so that also saves a little time... more than once I've arrived at the lounge, gone to my table in the dining room and they've been plonking down my flat white at the same time

 

[DavidFlynn]

What's the average wait time from order to meal delivery (as in 'quick' or 'so so' or 'hipster café on a weekend')?

"Quick" outside of the peak times, "so-so" around peak periods, "hipster cafe on the weekend (sans beards)" if it's a peak period with a few delayed flights (the impact of a late A380 or two, for example).

I find that up to 6.30am it's great, starts to get noticeably crowded and busy around 7ish ahead of the wave of morning departures to 9.30am; then it's incredibly quiet (which also makes 9.30am onwards a good time to snare a booking for the spa) until lunchtime, then empties out again maybe from 3ish. I love visiting the lounge in the evenings (usually for a CX flight to HKG), it's very quiet and a totally different 'vibe'.

FWIW: all dishes on the F lounge menu are designed to be cooked and plated up, ready to serve, within eight minutes. That's the 'standard' measure when designing the menus. Most are around the five minute mark but none can exceed eight minutes.

 

[njba]

Hey that's excellent info DavidFlynn, thanks!

And the menus on ausBT are making for an interesting calculation of time in lounge versus stomach capacity versus the limits of human decency.

 

[DavidFlynn]

And the menus on ausBT are making for an interesting calculation of time in lounge versus stomach capacity versus the limits of human decency.

I get the 'time in lounge versus stomach capacity' equation, but what is this strange X-factor which you describe as "the limits of human decency"..?

That's actually where a good spell in the lounge comes into play, thanks to the joys of all-day checkin at SYD, even if your flight is in the arvo. Breakfast, work/relax, spa, lunch, flight. Space it out. Easy!

Personally though, when flying on my own I prefer to sample a variety of smaller dishes (including the daily 'market inspiration specials) instead of a larger meal.

 

[serfty]

They generally ask what flight you are on as they seat you. From there they can (and try to) prioritise.

Of course that can be tough when there's 50 guests on the next flight boarding in 20 minutes all wanting priority.

 

[defurax]

They generally ask what flight you are on as they seat you. From there they can (and try to) prioritise.

Of course that can be tough when there's 50 guests on the next flight boarding in 20 minutes all wanting priority.

That's only in MEL, right? I've never been asked my flight number in SYD.

 

[Solid]

I've previously been asked in Sydney

 

[kermatu]

I've been asked in both - but not consistent.

 

[Rugby]

No decanter out in SYD today, but the Mount Pleasant Home Paddock Shiraz 2014 is nice enough.

 

[serfty]

That's only in MEL, right? I've never been asked my flight number in SYD.

Both MEL & SYD ...

Back in 2007 when they first opened, table staff used to ask to see your BP'S ...

 

[TomVexille]

Both MEL & SYD ...

Back in 2007 when they first opened, table staff used to ask to see your BP'S ...

I haven't been asked since they changed the charging structure.

 

[mmchow]

As I was taken to the table, I was asked which flight I was on.

 

[keybo]

New Spring menu


Tried the bocconcini, fab.



Sticky beef, flavours were all there but unfortunately a little overcooked.



On another note, this was only my second visit to the SYD Flounge since hitting platinum last month and was surprised that the waiter serving me last time recognised me again. They're bloody good.

 

[Chalkie]

I wish that the croque monsieur would come back onto the breakfast menu in MEL. You can get it in LAX right now. Why not MEL? That with two poached eggs (or fried if you will) made for a very delicious croque madame!

I had the corn fritters in MEL last week for breakky. They were nice enough but as good as the croque monsieur was.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

New Spring menu
...
On another note, this was only my second visit to the SYD Flounge since hitting platinum last month and was surprised that the waiter serving me last time recognised me again. They're bloody good.

Thanks for posting this. I've been out of the country for a few months so I'm looking forward to getting back into the lounge next month. The red wine selection is more balanced than recent menus and it's good to see a Malbec on there.

And the staff in SYD F is very good with regulars. I always get waved through the front door without having to show credentials.

 

[boomy]

As usual MEL runs behind SYD, still winter menu here.

 

[Kefci2000]

Flying out of Sydney in 2 weeks so will definitely try the Sticky Beef (as well as the mandatory S&P Squid)

 

[njba]

I was able to try the new menu on Tuesday and can confirm the quality of both the duck salad and sticky beef (I'm not quite sure that I agree it was over cooked at all). I did think the bocconcini tasted overwhelmingly of capsicum and nothing else (which is fine if you love capsicum.)

I'm not quite sure if here is the best place, but I was simply flawed by the quality of the lounge: the staff were impeccable, the food was great, the champagne tasty, and the view fab. The only downside was that the earliest spa appointment was ten minutes after boarding so that'll have to be for next time (we'll be back in a few months for an actual trip). The BNE J lounge on the other hand...

And luckily my partner enjoyed it as much as I did!

 

[Ansett]

I am surprised Red Roo has not posted the new menu as usually happened. Havent seen anything Ausbt either. Has anyone seen the official release of Menus?

 

[Kefci2000]

I was able to try the new menu on Tuesday and can confirm the quality of both the duck salad and sticky beef (I'm not quite sure that I agree it was over cooked at all). I did think the bocconcini tasted overwhelmingly of capsicum and nothing else (which is fine if you love capsicum.)

I'm not quite sure if here is the best place, but I was simply flawed by the quality of the lounge: the staff were impeccable, the food was great, the champagne tasty, and the view fab. The only downside was that the earliest spa appointment was ten minutes after boarding so that'll have to be for next time (we'll be back in a few months for an actual trip). The BNE J lounge on the other hand...

And luckily my partner enjoyed it as much as I did!

I seem to get that response as well, that the only spot they have available is 10 mins before or after boarding!

I might tell them I am on an earlier flight and see what answer I get