Spice bar at Melbourne Qantas Domestic Business Lounge

[SYD]

The Teriyaki thing is back today.


We’d just had lunch at Chin Chin so I wasn’t particularly hungry nor game but SYD+1 took one for the team. Bland and uninspiring…


The buffet had two hot options - veg curry and chook tagine.


The red curry looked like it had been eaten once before (a good chance to restock on diced carrot) but the tagine was ok.



Edit: trays of sliders doing the rounds also.

 

[Lynda2475]

The Teriyaki thing is back today.

Exact same offerings as Sunday evening. I spiced it up with some crispy onions and chilli.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I’ve been enjoying the minced pork with noodles which has been around on my last 4 visits.
Last week they were coming around with the Spritz’s in glasses too.

 

[SYD]

Last week they were coming around with the Spritz’s in glasses too.

Trays of raspberry(?) G&Ts in SYD last Friday on the way down.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

For any of those who frequent MEL like myself, spice bar alternates its offering every two weeks currently. Getting to know the team there

 

[RichardMEL]

Stopped by post flight today. Yup, the chicken teriyaki thing - but got extra ginger and the chicken was a bit less bland I reckon.

Options in the buffet - carrot & coconut soup (this was also in SYD on Wednesday and quite tasty), Moroccan Chicken Tagine and a chickpea, cauliiflower and potato curry with rice.

I consumed adult beverages it being Friday arvo

 

[kermatu]

Was there yesterday as well, facing some lengthy delays. Departed as the lounge closed with the calling of our flight and everyone was asked to leave. No food available at that time but staff were good and kept serving drinks and snacks if required.
Did get a serve of the teriyaki chicken before the kitchen closed.


Generous serve including of the ginger and other accompaniments. But pretty bland had it not been for my usual addition of kimchi and chilli paste.

 

[dkr]

The Teriyaki thing is back today.
View attachment 315452

We’d just had lunch at Chin Chin so I wasn’t particularly hungry nor game but SYD+1 took one for the team. Bland and uninspiring…
View attachment 315453

The buffet had two hot options - veg curry and chook tagine.
View attachment 315454

The red curry looked like it had been eaten once before (a good chance to restock on diced carrot) but the tagine was ok.

View attachment 315455

Edit: trays of sliders doing the rounds also.

I was there on Tuesday afternoon/evening also. Very mediocre dishes...

 

[RooFlyer]

veg curry

'Plant based dining' - pha-lease!

 

[SYD]

'Plant based dining' - pha-lease!

See photo up thread. MEL lounge didn’t get the PBD memo!

 

[gaz0303]

I have an international transfer at MEL approaching btw QF flights in J. Can I use the domestic lounge on arrival to sample the spice bar prior to going the international terminal and its QF and EK lounges? I always fly out of MEL in the morning so miss the spice bar. I have a 4.5hr transfer, so a lounge crawl might pass time if possible.

 

[sudoer]

I have an international transfer at MEL approaching btw QF flights in J. Can I use the domestic lounge on arrival to sample the spice bar prior to going the international terminal and its QF and EK lounges? I always fly out of MEL in the morning so miss the spice bar. I have a 4.5hr transfer, so a lounge crawl might pass time if possible.

If I'm understanding correctly and your onward international flight is in QF J, yes you can use the Melbourne dom J lounge on arrival. Easiest if you have your onward boarding pass, check-in at your origin via one of the service desks so they can sight your passport and any covid docs, and issue both boarding passes.

 

[AIRwin]

Can I use the domestic lounge on arrival to sample the spice bar prior to going the international terminal and its QF and EK lounges?

I've accessed the domestic lounge in MEL before an international flight even without a prior domestic connection... But don't fill up too much!

 

[gaz0303]

If I'm understanding correctly and your onward international flight is in QF J, yes you can use the Melbourne dom J lounge on arrival. Easiest if you have your onward boarding pass, check-in at your origin via one of the service desks so they can sight your passport and any covid docs, and issue both boarding passes.

That’s good news. Just hope that I can get onward passes pre MEL, but a QF codeshare is likely to too hard for my regional port.

 

[gaz0303]

I've accessed the domestic lounge in MEL before an international flight even without a prior domestic connection... But don't fill up too much!

Has does spice bar rank to food at MEL international lounges? Do they have dine on demand or just bain-Marie’s?

 

[Ade]

Has does spice bar rank to food at MEL international lounges? Do they have dine on demand or just bain-Marie’s?

International J are bain-marie's (or used to be) ... not sure, been in QF J lounge for a while now. Although I remember vaguely QF J lounges have a sort of breakfast that can be ordered? I have seen some have plated meals in QF J SYD, around 5 years ago.

QF F lounges have a menu and sit-down table service,

 

[kermatu]

I have an international transfer at MEL approaching btw QF flights in J. Can I use the domestic lounge on arrival to sample the spice bar prior to going the international terminal and its QF and EK lounges? I always fly out of MEL in the morning so miss the spice bar. I have a 4.5hr transfer, so a lounge crawl might pass time if possible.

I’ve done this before when I’ve had even longer layovers to meet people - have popped in to the Dom lounge before going in to the city then returning to the airport and going through International. Pretty sure I only showed my Dom ticket, but my status (P1) may have helped then. If you have all your documentation that will help.

 

[RichardMEL]

Has does spice bar rank to food at MEL international lounges? Do they have dine on demand or just bain-Marie’s?

Probably slightly better (depending on the dish) than international J (bain-maries) but definitely not close to international F of course.

 

[kermatu]

Has does spice bar rank to food at MEL international lounges? Do they have dine on demand or just bain-Marie’s?

Easy enough to pop in and if the dish doesn’t appeal just head to international. I’ve had F lounge access for several years now, but prior to that the QF J international lounge was pretty average. I imagine if open the EK lounge would be better than QF’s Dom and Intl J lounges - but can’t say from personal experience.

 

[Ade]

I imagine if open the EK lounge would be better than QF’s Dom and Intl J lounges - but can’t say from personal experience.

I have tried the EK lounge at SYD (I think) pre-CoVID and loved it ... much better than QF lounges.