Spring in to the First Lounge

[maninblack]

... and MH ... and QR ... and (rumoured) UL from Nov 2.

Regards,

BD

Good point. Not airlines I have ever (or likely will ever) flown on. Selective memory!

 

[kremin]

They still have the deconstructed pavlova so I am happy !

K

 

[Princess Fiona]

Competition up on AusBT to win a spot at the official launch of the new Spring menu at the SYD F Lounge on 8th Sep. Lunch and tasting. It seems to only to be open to QF SG (not sure why PS and NB weren't included if the idea was to get those who can't normally access the F Lounge ???). A decent prize I think if you're eligible and can get to SYD next week.

Sample the new Spring menu at the Qantas first class lounge - Australian Business Traveller

 

[BD1959]

Good Luck to all the SGs - if this was open to WP I'd enter myself (currently have MEL-SYD on the 9th but would personally fork-out the additional accommodation just to attend).

It's not easy being green!!

Regards,

BD

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm on an OMG o'clock EK flight SYD-DXB at the end of next month and desperately hoping the F lounge is open early enough for me to try the new pancakes

Why are you doing that to yourself?

 

[Kefci2000]

Flying out next Tuesday, but unfortunately will only get to sample the breakfast menu (and a few champers of course)

 

[Brettmcg]

Hi Redroo

I know this is slightly OT, however with spring comes daylight savings. I noticed that as of 25OCT15 the QF153 retimes from 1300hrs to 0730hrs. I'm flying out on 31OCT15 to AKL, but according to the QF website the F Lounge currently opens at 0615. Do you know if this will change as of the onset of AEDT, and from what time the lounge will be open?

Looking forward to trying the delicious Spring menu next week!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Why are you doing that to yourself?

I know !!! I wanted to try EK J A380 and it seemed like a good idea at the time

 

[Flying mermaid]

Competition up on AusBT to win a spot at the official launch of the new Spring menu at the SYD F Lounge on 8th Sep. Lunch and tasting. It seems to only to be open to QF SG (not sure why PS and NB weren't included if the idea was to get those who can't normally access the F Lounge ???). A decent prize I think if you're eligible and can get to SYD next week.

Sample the new Spring menu at the Qantas first class lounge - Australian Business Traveller

We will be there for breakfast on the 8th.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Flying out next Tuesday, but unfortunately will only get to sample the breakfast menu (and a few champers of course)

Might see you there If you see two elderly people, one of whom is having bubbly with breakfast that will be us....

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I know !!! I wanted to try EK J A380 and it seemed like a good idea at the time

Oh - I hope you think EK J A380 is worth it ... not sure I would get out of bed that early for it!
However I might stay up the night before!

 

[blackcat20]

Oh - I hope you think EK J A380 is worth it ... not sure I would get out of bed that early for it!
However I might stay up the night before!

Thats where airport hotels come in handy...

 

[penegal]

Hi Redroo

I know this is slightly OT, however with spring comes daylight savings. I noticed that as of 25OCT15 the QF153 retimes from 1300hrs to 0730hrs. I'm flying out on 31OCT15 to AKL, but according to the QF website the F Lounge currently opens at 0615. Do you know if this will change as of the onset of AEDT, and from what time the lounge will be open?

Looking forward to trying the delicious Spring menu next week!

In the past it has opened as early as 05:15/05:30, so there is hope, but I will leave it to Red Roo to confirm.

 

[akenne21]

We will be there for breakfast on the 8th.

I'll be flying through on the 9th...but have entered anyway...can't say I will be able to get to Sydney a whole day early just to visit the F lounge in the event I do win though!

 

[Red Roo]

I know this is slightly OT, however with spring comes daylight savings. I noticed that as of 25OCT15 the QF153 retimes from 1300hrs to 0730hrs. I'm flying out on 31OCT15 to AKL, but according to the QF website the F Lounge currently opens at 0615. Do you know if this will change as of the onset of AEDT, and from what time the lounge will be open?

Good news! From 25 October 2015, the Melbourne First lounge will be open at 5.30am to accommodate customers departing on QF153.

The relevant web page will be updated soon: Lounge Location | Australia | Melbourne International | International First

Looking forward to trying the delicious Spring menu next week!

There's something for everyone! Once again, Neil's managed to balance the menu with classic favourites and on-trend, seasonal dishes. Please do share your review.

 

[hotpaws]

Wonderful to see the new Spring Menu, looking forward to trying it out next month.
Also keen to try the LAX First Lounge on this trip. Any word on whether the menu will change in LAX as well, although this would be the Fall (Autumn) Menu!

 

[kermatu]

Well I've spent a few hours in the MEL F lounge this week. Including the evening before the late night Auckland flight. As usual staff good, and the spa treatment excellent. It was nice to see the lounge full too, given most of my visits are mid arvo when it is very quiet.

Unfortunately the menu leaves me disappointed. Certainly a big come down from the winter menu. No photos sorry, but here are my thoughts. I'm no food critic - just sharing my views.

first, the Mel menu is a bit more limited than Sydney. Some items seemed to be missing. Eg, the pumpkin starter which was on the winter menu and I think still offered in Sydney was replaced with a leaf salad (I didn't have to be honest, but it didn't look to be a show-stopper). The market inspirations were also very limited. But there was sashimi!

the sashimi as usual was excellent. I had it twice.

the buffalo mozzarella was very tasty and smooth, but the rest of the salad lacked any real flavour or contrast.

the lamb ribs were quite tasty and the meat fell off the bone really nicely. But being fried they seemed quite oily and fatty.

the swordfish was a dish I tried very hard to like. The salsa idea was different and sounded great. But to me it didn't work and actually was quite lacking in flavour too. Didn't seem a great combination of tastes.

the pork fillet was terrible. Very bland. Extremely tough pork, hard to cut and very chewy. Kale tasteless and the sweet potato nice but it was literally a whole roasted sweet potato so not much art in that. I was really disappointed with this.

Serving sizes also seemed smaller than usual. Other than the pork, ironically.

I've always noted some people choose the bowl of chips or the burger. I've been surprised but my next visit, the burger it is for me.

Sorry Red Roo. The F lounge remains a great product and real privilege. I hope this feedback is taken in the manner it's intended - for reference in future menus. Winter 2015 was great. Spring a real letdown, for me anyway.

cheers.

 

[Red Roo]

Sorry Red Roo. The F lounge remains a great product and real privilege. I hope this feedback is taken in the manner it's intended - for reference in future menus. Winter 2015 was great. Spring a real letdown, for me anyway.

Thanks for your very detailed feedback. I've passed on your comments to the team for their reference. Bring on Summer...

 

[maninblack]

Well I've spent a few hours in the MEL F lounge this week. Including the evening before the late night Auckland flight. As usual staff good, and the spa treatment excellent. It was nice to see the lounge full too, given most of my visits are mid arvo when it is very quiet.

Unfortunately the menu leaves me disappointed. Certainly a big come down from the winter menu. No photos sorry, but here are my thoughts. I'm no food critic - just sharing my views.

first, the Mel menu is a bit more limited than Sydney. Some items seemed to be missing. Eg, the pumpkin starter which was on the winter menu and I think still offered in Sydney was replaced with a leaf salad (I didn't have to be honest, but it didn't look to be a show-stopper). The market inspirations were also very limited. But there was sashimi!

the sashimi as usual was excellent. I had it twice.

the buffalo mozzarella was very tasty and smooth, but the rest of the salad lacked any real flavour or contrast.

the lamb ribs were quite tasty and the meat fell off the bone really nicely. But being fried they seemed quite oily and fatty.

the swordfish was a dish I tried very hard to like. The salsa idea was different and sounded great. But to me it didn't work and actually was quite lacking in flavour too. Didn't seem a great combination of tastes.

the pork fillet was terrible. Very bland. Extremely tough pork, hard to cut and very chewy. Kale tasteless and the sweet potato nice but it was literally a whole roasted sweet potato so not much art in that. I was really disappointed with this.

Serving sizes also seemed smaller than usual. Other than the pork, ironically.

I've always noted some people choose the bowl of chips or the burger. I've been surprised but my next visit, the burger it is for me.

Sorry Red Roo. The F lounge remains a great product and real privilege. I hope this feedback is taken in the manner it's intended - for reference in future menus. Winter 2015 was great. Spring a real letdown, for me anyway.

cheers.

Thanks for the review, so in summary
Disappointed
Limited
Oily
Fatty
Lacking
Terrible
Bland
Tough
Tasteless
Disappointed

Summary, stick with the Burger and chips!

 

[JessicaTam]

Red Roo started this by mentioning the companion fares in the OP, but it still feels OT.

A meal is sold on a plate basis, if two or 10 people share the plate, same price. Do you feel aggrieved when restaurants offer 2-4-1 deals? A hotel room is sold on a room basis. (Legal or otherwise) if you can cram 5 people in there it's a single price (if you don't tell the hotel.) A rental car similar time based, a train ticket is per head, ... A theatre seat...etc.

An airline seat (ignoring infant in lap) is sold on a seat basis - two people occupy double the real estate and get two meals (both get lounge access if purchasing J, etc). I get where singles are coming from.

So I am offering my service as a companion to any single AFFer flying J or F, I just need some notice, PM me

Thanks for offer.