SYD DOM J Lounge - Dining Improvements

[dylarr]

Hi all,

I was in the SYD DOM J lounge last night and saw a setup on the F&B counter I'd never seen before with a staff member serving up a plated dish that took my interest.

Last night the option was maple and soy mini drumsticks with Vietnamese slaw, with the option to have the dish topped with chilli and sriracha. I had a bit of a chat to the lovely staff member whilst she was plating my serving. She was really friendly and was genuinely excited to talk about it. A few points:

- Currently it runs on Wed, Thu, Fri (assuming during afternoon/evening peak) and has been running as a trial for 2 weeks now
- They've been rotating the dish on offer - other dishes they've done include a laksa and a Thai salad
- The staff member was really keen for any feedback to be submitted (which I did on the website afterwards!)

The drumsticks last night were really delicious and flavourful, I went back for multiple serves. Definitely seems to be a great alternative to the typical braised + rice option (which was still available) and I suppose is akin to a "mini" version of MEL's Spice Bar offerings.

Has anyone else noticed this and tried it out?

 

[exceladdict]

Nice!
In the beforetimes I was there when they were trialling a plant based Bolognese of sorts.
Personally I'm a massive fan of the spice bar in Melbourne and would like to see something similar in every Dom J lounge.

 

[serfty]

On Wednesday it was advertised something like Wontons/Dumplings about 5cm long garnish with a few pieces of asian veges and soyish sauce - they were more in the shape of gyozas. There were three being plated per serve. I did not partake as I was headed to international.

@dylarr, Thankyou for the prompt. I had meant to post ...

 

[andytheturtle]

Nice!
In the beforetimes I was there when they were trialling a plant based Bolognese of sorts.
Personally I'm a massive fan of the spice bar in Melbourne and would like to see something similar in every Dom J lounge.

Yes, Spice Bar is pretty good. I only wish they serve things before 1200.

last time I was there, of the four food warmers they had, two were rice: Biriyani. And more plain rice to go with the curry. I mean, rice is good. But that’s a lot of rice options…

 

[SYD]

Ah, I saw someone delivery food to the “Island Dining” about 2 wks ago (Fri, 13th) and I meant to post a comment. Not sure if it was the same initiative? I’d already eaten by the time I noticed so didn’t look too closely.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I welcome this improvement...on my Monday arvo I treat myself to a salad resembling Neil Perry's finest onboard as the hot food is fairly unappetising.

 

[anat0l]

Sounds like Island Dining except now brought to the servery.

 

[SYD]

Sounds like Island Dining except now brought to the servery.

What I saw was food delivered to the Island.

 

[Peasant]

I quite enjoyed the chicken burger trials they were running a couple of months ago. It markedly improved the food offering in an otherwise quite miserable facility.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

BNE had some dumpling like options going around today in addition to the lasagna and salad in the cantina and all the usual offerings which again is more than the busiest domestic hub

 

[Beano]

I look forward to these offers in a years time when my Platinum expires. I do remember once upon a time when there was food in the QC which was not available in the Business lounges such as chips and beetroot. I hope that they vary the offering in Adelaide from the endless roast potatoes.

 

[Berlin]

I quite enjoyed the chicken burger trials they were running a couple of months ago. It markedly improved the food offering in an otherwise quite miserable facility.

There were beef and bacon burgers a while back too which were the best food I’ve ever eaten in this shabby old lounge.

 

[dylarr]

Back in the lounge this evening and unfortunately it's not running today... in its place are bowls of crackers, corn chips, celery and dips.

Although could be because the lounge is a zoo tonight due to the storms going through Sydney right now. Standing room only and lots of people just floating around due to few flights departing at the moment.

 

[stm1sydney]

If this is considered a dramatic improvement, then the base offering must be appalling.

 

[Beano]

What were all those people doing, going into such a dreadful lounge! Would they, and we, be better staying in the concourse? For my part, any lounge is better than none, even the cupboards in TSV (if it is still there), HBA, MKY, oh and AKL INT F lounge. My lounge gripes don't usually include the catering, but I squirm at the Gilet Jaune convention in BNE DOM Business lounge.

 

[Berlin]

If this is considered a dramatic improvement, then the base offering must be appalling.

It is indeed. And don't even get me started about those disgusting smelly toilet facilities...

 

[anat0l]

I squirm at the Gilet Jaune convention in BNE DOM Business lounge.

Are you suggesting by policy that these kinds of people should be banned from lounges?

 

[Basaka]

In the lounge right now and unfortunately not running. Only dry pasta and gritty bolognese...

 

[Berlin]

Only dry pasta and gritty bolognese...

Oh, I feel for you- this "Bolognese" slob is one of the worst anywhere!

 

[Beano]

Are you suggesting by policy that these kinds of people should be banned from lounges?

As far as Qantas is concern it is a "uniform" so is aĺlowed. I think it does spoil the look of the place and turns it into a workers caff.