The Qantas Singapore Lounge

[Nizar]

in my opinion food offerings have gone downhill in the QF Singapore lounge in my two visits this past week.

Well that is disappointing.
Was quite happy with it myself when I went in May and again last month.
Might have to try the EK lounge when I'm there next.

 

[JohnK]

I really need to visit this lounge with one of the experts as I have no idea what I am missing everytime I am here.

I am really sorry but the following does not constitute acceptable food options

- Butter chicken as the only option at the buffet

and the cook to order

- Mee tai mak with beef tenderloin
- Braised chicken (sounds like the same slop in the business lounges in Australia)

The Skyview lounge had much better meat choice. The chicken was delicious. BA had butter chicken as well but did not look the same as the one in the Qantas lounge. Malaysia lounge had braised chicken and crab claws which tasted horrible.

 

[Happy Trails]

I have little interest in the food offerings, but the cacophony does it for me.
And no Aus beer.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Regarding food offerings, when in Rome or in this case, Singapore.....

I'm all for local food offerings, understand some travelers have less appetite for non-western cuisine, but for me that's the fun of travel.

 

[JohnK]

I'm all for local food offerings, understand some travelers have less appetite for non-western cuisine, but for me that's the fun of travel.

It ain't fun trying to find something to eat when you don't like curries, chilli, spices etc. Not too difficult to provide an option that is not "overdone" with these ingredients. The Skyview lounge managed to offer it and now in the KUL Golden lounge and they have lamb and chicken that is OK.

Anyway that is beside the point as that is my preference and you can't please everyone.

 

[Ansett]

It ain't fun trying to find something to eat when you don't like curries, chilli, spices etc. Not too difficult to provide an option that is not "overdone" with these ingredients. The Skyview lounge managed to offer it and now in the KUL Golden lounge and they have lamb and chicken that is OK.

Anyway that is beside the point as that is my preference and you can't please everyone.

Hi JohnK Mrs Ansett and I couldnt agree more with you. We also appreciate the when in Rome debate, however even in Rome I can get Maccas, where as in Singapore all you can have is a salad if you dont like chillies or asian food.

I have commented re this numerous times to QF but alas it seems to fall on deaf ears/ All we want is some western food cant be that hard surely.

 

[anat0l]

Is it possible to ask the cook to prepare something for you tailored slightly? For example, no chilli?

I remember a forum member some time ago got a vegan cooked to order dish (but this is the lounge going an extra mile).

I agree there should probably be at least a Western option. But what's a decent Western option? I thought one time when the lounge opened, they had a pan seared fish that was Western style (i.e. no spices, chilli)

 

[Brettmcg]

I agree there should probably be at least a Western option. But what's a decent Western option? I thought one time when the lounge opened, they had a pan seared fish that was Western style (i.e. no spices, chilli)

...and then you'll find someone who complains they don't like fish.

 

[under the radar]

Is it possible to ask the cook to prepare something for you tailored slightly? For example, no chilli?

I remember a forum member some time ago got a vegan cooked to order dish (but this is the lounge going an extra mile).

I agree there should probably be at least a Western option. But what's a decent Western option? I thought one time when the lounge opened, they had a pan seared fish that was Western style (i.e. no spices, chilli)

'sacre bleu'...how dare an airline not cater to EVERYONES whims (a 'dislike' is NOT LIFE THREATENING')!!! .... just try a simple civilized request to the staff.... (yes of course i expect backlash from the 'I SHOULDNT NEED TO ASK' crowd) in the end...GROW SOME B***S...experience the WORLD!!!

 

[dairyfloss]

I was a big fan, but after my most recent visit (last week), I'm not so sure that the Qantas Singapore Lounge will be my main choice at Changi.

The made to order food options did not appeal, the buffet set, including dessert was so dull I paid to eat outside, and to add insult to injury (for me)... the Erdinger is now gone, and they no longer serve pints of the other draught beers - only little 275ml things.

Hopefully these are not early indications of how Accor will be looking after Qantas and OW pax wherever a lounge is QF 'operated'. I'll give it another chance of course, but it seems more than a 'blip' against the very nice launch product.

Cheers.

 

[dajop]

Regarding food offerings, when in Rome or in this case, Singapore.....

And the lounge itself reflects the experience of new food establishments in Singapore, be they somewhat upmarket or basic hawker stalls. Start strong offer something above and beyond to get the crowds in, and then "right size" the offering once established.

I agree there should probably be at least a Western option. But what's a decent Western option? I thought one time when the lounge opened, they had a pan seared fish that was Western style (i.e. no spices, chilli)

I do remember short after the lounge opened having some melt in the mouth beef ribs that just fell off the bone. I've only been twice since and both times the hot buffet selection (and cooked to order selection) were essentially Asian. Salads were still excellent though, as was the Creme Brulee, sad to hear of its demise. It is not too difficult to offer western food, it's not as if Singapore is a small Chinese city in the middle of China were knowledge of western food and cooking is fairly minimal. SQ manage to offer a broad selection in their lounges, covering, Western, local Chinese/Singaporean, Malay & Indian food.

 

[Danp]

I was at the SG Lounge last week, ordered the Hainanese Chicken rice and thought it was excellent, I am a big chicken rice fan but still thought it was a great dish.

Can definitely see where people are coming from wanting some western options, could be a good idea for the hot buffet dishes to be half asian, half western? I did see the wait staff handing out Club Sandwiches in the lounge once when I was there but have never seen them again since, not sure what was happening then

 

[markis10]

I did see the wait staff handing out Club Sandwiches in the lounge once when I was there but have never seen them again since, not sure what was happening then

Saw the club sandwiches a few weeks ago, a good western option IMHO.

 

[Danp]

Saw the club sandwiches a few weeks ago, a good western option IMHO.

Yes if you can get one, I'm not sure how they do these, I asked once and was told they make them in batches randomly and hand them out, you can't order them, dont' know if anyone has any info to the contrary?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

When I was there months ago there was a western/european faced female chef supervising things. I presume she was Australian and was brought over to establish the lounge.... I did not see her on my last couple of visits. I wonder if she has returned to Australia or elsewhere and things have subsequently deteriorated?

 

[Isochronous]

Disappointing to hear that the creme brulee is gone and standards on a slide. What could have been a good thing in SIN being undermined is a shame.

 

[Danp]

Disappointing to hear that the creme brulee is gone and standards on a slide. What could have been a good thing in SIN being undermined is a shame.

I don't think you can really say that, I've been there 4+ times over the last 2-3 months and it has been consistently good over that time period. I think what is happening is they are changing up the menu for the sake of variety and the changes don't suit some people's tastes and this comes through as a lowering in standards

 

[under the radar]

I WANT CHANGE/VARIETY...but DONT change MY favourite things ... once again..cant please all the people all the time!!! :shock: SOME F/Fers really are 'creatures of habit' (reads.....BORING!!)

 

[RooFlyer]

I WANT CHANGE/VARIETY...but DONT change MY favourite things ... once again..cant please all the people all the time!!! :shock: SOME F/Fers really are 'creatures of habit' (reads.....BORING!!)

Yeah, SHOUTING always helps.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yet to make a visit to the new lounge unfortunately, but I would say that since it is actually a Qantas lounge, that both Asian (where the lounge is located, and the customers QF are trying to target) and Western (being Australian) tastes be catered to is not an extreme request.