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

[Rugby]

The obligatory afternoon tea.

 

[Kangol]

If anyone is going through SYD soon and can post the restricted breakfast menu, that would be great!

 

[defurax]

If anyone is going through SYD soon and can post the restricted breakfast menu, that would be great!

Full menu this morning

 

[kermatu]

Duck ragu in SYD the other day:

 

[kermatu]

Sampled a few dishes from the full MEL menu last week. First was the pumpkin starter:



Probably the the first time I've ever complained about a starter being too large. It was just pretty plain and bland. The bonito shavings on top were ok but too dry to have much of. Overall disappointing.

 

[kermatu]

Also underwhelming was the duck starter. Dry, tough meat. Perhaps as I was eating at an off-peak time (about 7pm, before the main dinner rush)? In any event, not that tasty.

View attachment 103496

 

[kermatu]

But the mussels were fabulous:

 

[kermatu]

And as others have said, the lamb with chilli paste and noodles is also terrific.

 

[kermatu]

The staff in Melbourne have always been fantastic to me. As I usually have at least 3 hours in the lounge due to connections and MEL international being dead in the early evening, it is nice to have time to chat with the usual people like Rebecca (pretty much the only one whose name I have actually seen /remembered which is appalling but not unusual for me).

Chantrelle (I think?) encouraged me to have a winter remedy coughtail (seen in last picture above) which Rebecca made and was rather nice (warmed bourbon and orange).

even with QF9 operating as well as EK, QR, CX and MH flights - the lounge was pretty quiet. Only 27 guests expected -- felt like a few more to me but with guesting it must be impossible to accurately predict patronage.

even though there was only one spa therapist working that night there were slots free and being offered to guests in the dining area well after 7pm.

one of the staff thought the lounge itself and operating hours would not change despite the loss of QF9. But another one (who worked there several years ago, but only came back in the last year under Sofitel) wasn't so sure.

Even though the wow factor has long past for me, I'd be very sad if the lounge did change.

 

[kermatu]

Restricted Sydney all day menu still in effect. Likely to be a while, was what staff told me.

And I was worried as I didn't see Nestor on any of my three visits the past three weeks. But was assured he was just on holiday.

 

[kermatu]

Well than after today that makes me overdue

Two more successes - arrival around 11:30, snared the 3pm slots with Michelle both times. There was a 1pm slot available one time as well, which surprised me given QF1 was a full F load that day (according to staff). I guess not everyone bothers with a spa treatment.

 

[boomy]

Wine list finally changed a bit in MEL. It was a very boring list in last few weeks since Stonewell shiraz was discontinued. The Lane cab sav is ok but still not at the acceptable level of F. Nice to see Fiano on the menu.

 

[kermatu]

Wine list finally changed a bit in MEL. It was a very boring list in last few weeks since Stonewell shiraz was discontinued. The Lane cab sav is ok but still not at the acceptable level of F. Nice to see Fiano on the menu.

Less so in MEL and more in SYD, but I felt I was being pushed the St Hugo Shiraz a bit by the staff. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it was a genuine recommendation. Had a couple of glasses and it was OK but not that special in my view.

Wines haven't been great for a while. Real drop-off in spirits in SYD in particular too. Still make pretty decent coughtails though!

 

[boomy]

Less so in MEL and more in SYD, but I felt I was being pushed the St Hugo Shiraz a bit by the staff. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it was a genuine recommendation. Had a couple of glasses and it was OK but not that special in my view.

Wines haven't been great for a while. Real drop-off in spirits in SYD in particular too. Still make pretty decent coughtails though!

They never pushed me any wines in MEL. Service is quite bad this year but I won't get into this subject here.
Tried the "exclusive" St Hugo once when was just introduced, didn't like it.

Do you have any decanter specials over there in SYD?
Nothing in MEL and I'm here almost weekly this year.

 

[kermatu]

They never pushed me any wines in MEL. Service is quite bad this year but I won't get into this subject here.
Tried the "exclusive" St Hugo once when was just introduced, didn't like it.

Do you have any decanter specials over there in SYD?
Nothing in MEL and I'm here almost weekly this year.

Decanter wine has been a rarity for me in SYD - maybe one in five visits. It's only one of the generally available wines anyway and I've never noticed any difference in quality - but I'm not a wine connoisseur and struggle to detect differences beyond 'like' or 'don't'.

Are you generally in the MEL lounge at set times? I've always had great service in the evenings.

 

[blackcat20]

Less so in MEL and more in SYD, but I felt I was being pushed the St Hugo Shiraz a bit by the staff. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that it was a genuine recommendation. Had a couple of glasses and it was OK but not that special in my view.

Wines haven't been great for a while. Real drop-off in spirits in SYD in particular too. Still make pretty decent coughtails though!

The Levantine Hill Cabernet that was available in June was fantastic.

 

[kermatu]

The Levantine Hill Cabernet that was available in June was fantastic.

I did quite like The Lane Cabernet Merlot that was available in both lounges earlier this month, a bit sweeter and fuller.

 

[snabbu]

Restricted breakfast menu still in effect yesterday morning.

 

[amaroo]

Full menu this morning.

 

[mviy]

Nice. Hope it's still the full menu on my first visit to the SYD F Lounge.