Qantas Salt & Pepper Squid thread

[RooFlyer]

This is a thread for people to post pics and 'reviews' of Qantas' 'iconic' Salt & Pepper squid dish, served at their F Lounges. Thread is inspired by @JohnM 's recent post about S&P S quid sans chilli (and which I thought looked pretty awful anyway). @amaroo posted some other pics also.

So, maybe they will re-post here to kick thing off, and it will be interesting to see how the dish varies between lounges and over time.

 

[JohnM]

'Signature', not 'iconic', puh-leeze .

I think we need a Mod to move over to here several posts from the SIN QF F Lounge opening thread to really get it rolling. Calling @JessicaTam to the white courtesy phone.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Having never been into a Qantas F lounge I have to ask is ' Salt & pepper squid' a euphemism?

 

[JohnM]

No. It can be IMO one of the world's great pre-flight snacks.

But there are indications of the signature becoming blurred...

 

[JohnM]

Here's what effectively what started this:

MEL FLounge 3 November 2019.

NOT a good example of S&P squid.

 

[Altair]

It was once one of my go to dishes at the F Lounge, and at the start of the new F Lounge may have been considered a "signature dish".
Now it is a reserve dish if the other offerings do not catch my eye AND I want something to eat as soon as possible. The reason the quality decreased as I got soggy, heavily flavoured oil (not pleasant) strips of squid (still tender I grant them that). Not I will add this was before the latest kitchen renovations so I do not know if that has helped.

 

[Denali]

Having never been into a Qantas F lounge I have to ask is ' Salt & pepper squid' a euphemism?

This was my first thought.... What strange delights are going on in the F lounge.

"

 

[opusman]

The first time I had it I thought it was great. Third time it seemed ok. Last time I couldn't remember what all the fuss was about. I can cook something pretty similar myself with no trouble!

 

[VPS]

From August this year in Sydney

 

[JohnM]

I generally like it as a light, tasty snack/small meal before boarding to sharpen up the taste buds.

Here are some others easily searched from my phone:

SYD Sept 2015:



SYD June 2018:



LAX Aug 2018:



LAX Aug 2019:

 

[Kangol]

First two are from SYD, 2018:



This is from MEL, 2012:

 

[JohnM]

Peeps, can we have which FLounge please?

 

[JohnM]

No chillies in 2012...

Was that MEL?

 

[Kangol]

No chillies in 2012...

Was that MEL?

Yes, MEL. I've edited my post.
Have not had it in MEL since - not for any bad reasons though.
I remember it to be pretty good.

 

[docjames]

Melbourne April 2019 pre-QF9.

 

[JohnM]

There's a common factor emerging: the MEL chefs are in a chilli-free zone. D'oh.

Can't they follow an NP (TM) recipe?

 

[JohnM]

Pinched from Executive Traveller's blurb on the SIN FLounge opening:

No chillies, but at least it's got the shredded spring onions to give it a bit of zip.

 

[jpp42]

There's a common factor emerging: the MEL chefs are in a chilli-free zone. D'oh.

Possibly on purpose? I feel that as a due to population differences, Sydney cuisine is more Asian-inspired and is much more likely to tolerate chilies, compared to the more Mediterranean style common in Melbourne?
This could be "local flair."

 

[JohnM]

But MEL isn't even using the spring onions . They must be catering to the MEL softies (ducks...).

 

[jase05]

I’m a non seafood person but some of those pics do look quite nice, others not so