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

[Rangalad]

And the barramundi from my current visit, again in MEL.

View attachment 199619

Very nice. Good piece of fish. Tasty sauce.

While I’ve probably exhausted all I’d actually choose off this menu, 3 from 3 has to equal a tick for this one.

Agree on the barra. Yet to try the noodles.

 

[kermatu]

Sydney F summer menu confirmed. Still a malt whicky desert.

I had a good chat with one of the F&B managers in Melbourne today. He confirmed that top shelf whiskies and single malts are NOT a QF F lounge requirement anywhere. Historically Melbourne has offered some because they’ve had good deals from suppliers and now they try whenever possible to keep it up.

But it is at the mercy of management and whether the lounge is tracking ok on the financials. Case in point is the Lagavulin. He acknowledged they used to have the really good stuff (16 year old, possibly 18 as well though I never saw the latter) but ran out. He said he’s been putting in the orders for months and only just got accepted — albeit the 8 year old.

He also said supplier deals can be tricky as the Marhaba lounges apparently have some of the market cornered. I’ve never been in one but sounds intriguing.

Off his own bat he said SYD is pathetic. I wholeheartedly agreed and came very close to begging him to keep up the good fight with management.

 

[Tropic]

Gua bao. MEL (back again).

View attachment 199594
Very good. Tender, crispy, tasty.

Great to hear!. Last time we had it in June the bun was strangely dry except for the half that was soggy (fell in the steamer water?) and the lamb was dry as a dingo's.. Pork is better fit texture and taste wise

 

[Tropic]

I had a good chat with one of the F&B managers in Melbourne today.

Off his own bat he said SYD is pathetic.

Hope none of the syd F&B managers are on AFF...

 

[Beano]

Hope none of the syd F&B managers are on AFF...

I hope they are. Might get the message.

 

[Berlin]

They put the on flight Mosaique onto the champagne list- meh. Will taste through it all this coming Monday

I have to bite my tongue as I hadn’t realised the word Rosé here behind the Mosaique. It’s very different from the white version on board and actually quite a tasty replacement of the Mumm Rosé in my opinion.



Having a glass with breakfast as we speak- stingy pour but luckily it’s “All you can drink” in the Flounge

Yummie corn fritters still delicious as always:

 

[Beano]

I had a good chat with one of the F&B managers in Melbourne today. He confirmed that top shelf whiskies and single malts are NOT a QF F lounge requirement anywhere. Historically Melbourne has offered some because they’ve had good deals from suppliers and now they try whenever possible to keep it up.

But it is at the mercy of management and whether the lounge is tracking ok on the financials. Case in point is the Lagavulin. He acknowledged they used to have the really good stuff (16 year old, possibly 18 as well though I never saw the latter) but ran out. He said he’s been putting in the orders for months and only just got accepted — albeit the 8 year old.

He also said supplier deals can be tricky as the Marhaba lounges apparently have some of the market cornered. I’ve never been in one but sounds intriguing.

Off his own bat he said SYD is pathetic. I wholeheartedly agreed and came very close to begging him to keep up the good fight with management.

18 YO Glenmorangie in Syd F, once upon a time. Now have to go to Emirates lounge to get the 12YO.

 

[Berlin]

Had to try that new noodle dish before boarding. Odd mix of flavours but incredibly salty thanks to the bacon. Would actually work great up in the air, that dish.



Very full on, even some spice thanks to some dried chilli. But even for me, way too salty. And I’m usually everything but shy when it comes to salt!

 

[Berlin]

The lovely wait staff was shocked when I told them about the noodles being completely over-salted and promised to “tell the chef”.

Hopefully this will change things before I get here again next time as this dish certainly has potential!

 

[Rangalad]

I have to bite my tongue as I hadn’t realised the word Rosé here behind the Mosaique. It’s very different from the white version on board and actually quite a tasty replacement of the Mumm Rosé in my opinion.

View attachment 199858

Having a glass with breakfast as we speak- stingy pour but luckily it’s “All you can drink” in the Flounge

Yummie corn fritters still delicious as always:

View attachment 199859

The breakfast of champions!

 

[Beano]

The lovely wait staff was shocked when I told them about the noodles being completely over-salted and promised to “tell the chef”.

Hopefully this will change things before I get here again next time as this dish certainly has potential!

I've found that even in the best restaurants salt is overused, but then at home salt is only used sparingly. Fries are the worst offender. I like some fries with my salt, so I ask for no salt, except if it's truffle salt.

 

[kermatu]

The lovely wait staff was shocked when I told them about the noodles being completely over-salted and promised to “tell the chef”.

Hopefully this will change things before I get here again next time as this dish certainly has potential!

So funny - I didn’t find this too salty at all yet I do find most onboard food too salty. As you said in the other thread, everyone’s tastes are different!

 

[Berlin]

So funny - I didn’t find this too salty at all yet I do find most onboard food too salty. As you said in the other thread, everyone’s tastes are different!

Haha, that IS funny! Thought with the lounge dish, it could very well be that it's only over-salted in Sydney. It even looked quite different from your image earlier in the thread.

 

[Beano]

The noodles look nice, and I like noddles so will give it a try next time. Going into holioday mode now , so seasons greeting to you all and look forward to more intriguing observations on airline travel.

 

[kermatu]

SYD breakfast menu and wine list for reference.



And my old favourite.



Staff very kind as usual. Lots of familiar faces and warm greetings.

Jagged a walk-up spa treatment too which was a pleasant bonus (although not as good or personable service as MEL in my opinion).

 

[LadyC]

First visit to the F Lounge in MEL in a long while. Menu as previously posted.

Salt and pepper squid got a re-order from the Gentleman. Calamari good quality but I thought the batter was a bit meh. We also shared the Heirloom tomatoes with bocconcini, the cone bay barramundi and the beef brisket.

 

[jjj777ccc]

Case in point is the Lagavulin. He acknowledged they used to have the really good stuff (16 year old, possibly 18 as well though I never saw the latter) but ran out. He said he’s been putting in the orders for months and only just got accepted — albeit the 8 year old.

Did you sample? I've heard this is a limited edition and quite good.

 

[Beano]

Please, no more talk about the MEL F malts. It's making me feel so deprived as I only get the SYD F fare!!!!! Must somehow arrange to go through MEL again.

 

[kermatu]

Did you sample? I've heard this is a limited edition and quite good.

Yes. Milder on the peat and a bit sweet, but still a nice smoky taste. Packed a punch too. Excellent for an 8 yo.

 

[Mrsfefe]

Service quite underwhelming in SYD today. 25 minutes to get first drinks, hour and half to get second course, had to go to bar ourselves for second round of drinks. One server for our 10 tables. Make sure you order all your courses straight up in this lounge, even if you end up not eating them all, as waiting for a second order can see you miss out altogether.