Qantas Sydney Domestic J Lounge - 𝚂̶𝚊̶𝚗̶𝚍̶𝚠̶𝚒̶𝚌̶𝚑̶ Panini Bar

[dylarr]

Experienced the expanded Sydney Domestic J lounge and tried the new sandwich bar today.

Looks like the sandwich concept is now Sydney's "theme"? Talking to the staff - they plan on having one meat option and one veg option which will rotate fortnightly or so. A beast of a toasting oven has also been installed to support this so there has been some investment.

Today's options were an eggplant and ricotta panini or a chicken baguette served with potato chips. I found both really tasty and was pleased to see these additional options. Note, I did get my baguette toasted hence the sad looking greens.

 

[gaz0303]

It is a nice sandwich but has so far been the same on last 5 visits. And not really a good dinner option. Variation has also been limited with the other hot offering. Last week they served the sweet and sour chicken on Thursday, Sunday and again this Monday. It was truly the worst thing they have served. Chicken is nearly absent and overloaded on orange veg and colouring. Extra space and toilets is nice though.

 

[sudoer]

Toasted B&E roll or avo toast for breakfast in SYD Dom J this morning - a good improvement on the usual slop

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

And no more DIY.
If its preprepared now, its (I can surmise), its now cost control, after the expansion.

 

[dylarr]

And no more DIY.
If its preprepared now, its (I can surmise), its now cost control, after the expansion.

This is in addition to the existing self serve buffet area which remains unchanged.

 

[RB001]

Changeover day? Yesterday was same as @sudoer posted upthread.

Today:

They'll ask if you want the chips, from a rather large bowl.
Visiting on arrival to celebrate my tiptoe back into platinum.

 

[dylarr]

Changeover day?

Nah it's the same as what was there last week:

Worst Domestic Qantas Lounges & What Can be Done About It?

They must have a breakfast and all day option.

 

[RB001]

Nah it's the same as what was there last week:

Worst Domestic Qantas Lounges & What Can be Done About It?

They must have a breakfast and all day option.

That'd be it then, was late morning yesterday, early arvo today.

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Changeover day? Yesterday was same as @sudoer posted upthread.

Today:
View attachment 417620
They'll ask if you want the chips, from a rather large bowl.
Visiting on arrival to celebrate my tiptoe back into platinum.

They forgot to add 'Red Rock' infront of the deli potato crisps as my partner keenly picked up on. Not only by the flavour but also the arrival of a fresh batch straight out of the bag...

 

[RB001]

They forgot to add 'Red Rock' infront of the deli potato crisps as my partner keenly picked up on. Not only by the flavour but also the arrival of a fresh batch straight out of the bag...

I did notice during consumption that they weren't all just the salted flavour, either - another variety was noticeable, maybe only 3 or 4 chips/crisps from what I was given. (Yes, I eat them one by one.) A connoisseur would likely identify.

 

[gaz0303]

Nah it's the same as what was there last week:

Worst Domestic Qantas Lounges & What Can be Done About It?

They must have a breakfast and all day option.

The breakfast roll is good but no change at dinner.

 

[RB001]

They should be flaunting this. Have you seen the price for a bag of these at Woolies or Coles lately?! Qantas are really splurging here

And hope we don't notice when they switch to Home Brand...

 

[Flyfrequently]

Changeover day? Yesterday was same as @sudoer posted upthread.

Today:
View attachment 417620
They'll ask if you want the chips, from a rather large bowl.
Visiting on arrival to celebrate my tiptoe back into platinum.

Now I know QF has Green Leaves with Neil's vinaigrette but wondered about "Green Goddess" ....... Mrs Neil?
Google tells me otherwise - Next level!

 

[dylarr]

Looks like the sandwich concept is now Sydney's "theme"?

So it has an official name now and the signage is up - "The Sydney Panini Bar".


Different options compared to last time I was here today.

The pastrami schiacciata was actually really nice.

 

[bussyboy]

Not exactly a NYC deli serve of pastrami!

 

[dylarr]

Not exactly a NYC deli serve of pastrami!

I wonder if they would replicate the Katz's deli pastrami on rye if you asked nicely

 

[NSun]

So its official - a 'Panini bar'? Will be interesting to see how often the menu changes there.

I remember when the Brisbane J lounge opened Neil Perry told them media they didn't open another pizza bar like in Perth because they didn't want to be known as 'the airline with the pizza lounges' and that pizza is just the same thing but with different topics. Sandwiches/paninis are somewhere in between, not as versatile as Asian spiced food (in the Melbourne J lounge) as its just two pieces of bread with stuff in between but it can be different to pizza because whats between the bread that makes most of it.

 

[Lynda2475]

Asian un-spiced food (in the Melbourne J lounge)

Fixed that for you.

No dish I've ever eaten from the Spice bar has ever been remotely spicy, one has to add chilli or kimchi to get any kick at all.

 

[Highway23]

A few “please wait for the attendant” or “don’t handle the food yourself” signs wouldn’t go astray.

During a busy period I just saw some bloke snaffle himself a panini, completely oblivious to the death stares from the harried lounge staff who would’ve had to yell to stop him. He waited a couple of moments, looked around, then sheepishly handed it over and said “oh I’ve just noticed it’s a staffed service”.

The chargrilled eggplant and I had from the other side of the tray was quite good - I think this is a nice evolution for the Sydney lounge, and the extra space is very welcome until the much-awaited upgrade occurs.

 

[Seat0B]

We visited Sydney Dom J on 7 Jan on the way home from visit to Seat Son in Middle East and were very pleasantly surprised at the very attractive presentation of the panini offering, the extra seats in the lounge and the additional toilets. I also thought I noticed new carpet and some new chairs throughout.

I didn't sample the panini, but they looked good. I think they will be great for breakfast and lunch, but like others not convinced of their value as an evening meal.