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

[kermatu]

I like the new menu. Those first three small plates look good; might have to try them all! Nice to see meatballs back after about a two-year absence? The wine list does look a little samey and uninspired though.

Wine list is still poor. Don’t think it will get better any time soon. Having seen again just last week how packed the lounge can get, the cost of improved wines simply wouldn’t make sense. Mind you, their access rules are crazy - at the table next to me the pax were actually flying Air NZ but because they were CLs they were in the F lounge.

I too was looking forward to the meatballs. They were fine, but actually the poorest of all the dishes I have had so far.

 

[kermatu]

I just love crepes. So I am a bit biased. But the buckwheat crepes with asparagus, peas and other assorted healthy stuff was very good. An excellent Spring option.



Decent enough serve for a small plate.

 

[kermatu]

Here are the pork meatballs

They were ok. But way too much bland rice and vegetable. The meatballs were quite tasty but having a few chillis on top is a good sign the dish is a bit bland overall. Even with an extra dose of chilli. Not recommended unless looking for a mild meal.

 

[kermatu]

Second visit, started with the Gua Bao.



Despite being listed with the burger and sandwich, I guessed this would be a small plate, and was right. Oh boy it was fantastic. I would happily have had 4 of them. Pork was good, bun was fresh, and the whole thing was a zesty, tangy delight. Perhaps a fraction too much onion, but certainly wasn’t overpowering.

Will definitely be having some of these on my next visit - in MEL, and not just for comparison reasons.

 

[kermatu]

Next was the Bo suam beef with pickled vegetable.



Beef was melt in the mouth, and other than the lettuce, the other vegetables were spicy and sour. Absolutely fantastic flavours. One of the best dishes I’ve had in the lounge. Have to try this one again too!

 

[blackcat20]

Second visit, started with the Gua Bao.

View attachment 107957

Despite being listed with the burger and sandwich, I guessed this would be a small plate, and was right. Oh boy it was fantastic. I would happily have had 4 of them. Pork was good, bun was fresh, and the whole thing was a zesty, tangy delight. Perhaps a fraction too much onion, but certainly wasn’t overpowering.

Will definitely be having some of these on my next visit - in MEL, and not just for comparison reasons.

Someone I know ate three on their recent visit...

 

[kermatu]

Someone I know ate three on their recent visit...

Suspect I will be doing that too later this week! Good to know I won’t be the first.

 

[Ewing]

Someone I know ate three on their recent visit...

I was pretty tempted to order more. I only had one but it was delicious!

The duck noodles were great also.

 

[blackcat20]

I went the multiple dessert option instead.

 

[Happy Trails]

They nearly ruined a nice piece of fish by serving it with polenta and stewed vegetables.
I put them straight.

 

[kermatu]

Forgot to mention, Isabella also said the minute steaks were consigned to the history books. Never sampled them myself, but assume that will also disappoint some folk.

 

[jpk]

MEL F lounge last week. Best food I have had there in years.

Gua Bao - small but amazing.
Crepe - much better than it sounds, really nice and light
Bo Ssam - melt in the mouth, meat just falls apart, amazing flavours
Cheese & Pav - still solid

No decanter to be seen, but Brokenwood Shiraz was good. I left very stuffed and happy!

 

[TomVexille]

Someone I know ate three on their recent visit...

And I'd do it again

 

[kermatu]

I found the food in MEL this week to be significantly inferior to that in SYD. The crepe was stock-standard plain, tiny and bland. The gua bao was dry and had nowhere near the same burst of flavours as SYD. Won’t bother posting pics as they are identical to jpk’s.

Only the bo ssam beef was on par.


Confirmed my view that the food is better in SYD. I am also trying to account for the fact that as these were my second samples of the food, my expectations were high.

Thankfully the service and banter from Jess in the restaurant and spa treatment from Melanie were the usual excellent quality. The MEL lounge also has far better whiskey.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Really enjoyed the food and service in SYD F today. The new menu is very good and a noticeable step up from the winter incarnation. The family of four in today for my in-laws' 60th wedding anniversary trip. Selection of food pics are: buckwheat crepes, freekeh salad (excellent), lucky duck noodles (double excellent) and market fish with polenta.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

As I was saying, the service in SYD F was beyond good today.... cake delivered to the table for the previously mentioned wedding anniversary.

 

[Steady]

As I was saying, the service in SYD F was beyond good today.... cake delivered to the table for the previously mentioned wedding anniversary.

View attachment 108176

Did you prearrange this or just tell them it was an anniversary when you arrived?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Did you prearrange this or just tell them it was an anniversary when you arrived?

I did mention it to the P1 team.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Thankfully the service and banter from Jess in the restaurant and spa treatment from Melanie were the usual excellent quality. The MEL lounge also has far better whiskey.

Jess is always a welcome face in MEL.

 

[Kangol]

The MEL lounge also has far better whiskey.

What whisky do they have in comparison to SYD, Hibiki 21?