Qantas Business Class meals & menus

[Daver6]

I was on QF8 last month and there was definitely Champers so concur not a change in service.

I was the opposite to you, rarely had a drink in the US due to sticker shock so I had a couple onboard and helped me sleep all the way to SYD

I have to say, I was also quite shocked at how expensive food and drink are now in the US. Initially I was in Vegas so put it down to that. Thankfully a good portion of Vegas was work events. That and multiple F&B credits there for service recovery certainly helped. However, even in the greater DC area booze was not cheap.

 

[Berlin]

I have to say, I was also quite shocked at how expensive food and drink are now in the US. Initially I was in Vegas so put it down to that. Thankfully a good portion of Vegas was work events. That and multiple F&B credits there for service recovery certainly helped. However, even in the greater DC area booze was not cheap.

Yep, the US generally is quite pricey with the $ conversion at the moment. Not the cheap shopping paradise anymore even that it once was (though you still pay way less at an outlet mall than you'd pay at a Westfield Down Under).

We ended up buying a fair bit of booze at Target, Walmart and the likes and enjoyed it in our room after dinner to save. Nightclubs are particularly dear indeed and Vegas is probably the worst of it!

 

[SYD]

I have to say, I was also quite shocked at how expensive food and drink are now in the US. Initially I was in Vegas so put it down to that. Thankfully a good portion of Vegas was work events. That and multiple F&B credits there for service recovery certainly helped. However, even in the greater DC area booze was not cheap.

Inflation taking a chunk but expected tipping pushing 20+% also.

 

[Berlin]

Inflation taking a chunk but expected tipping pushing 20+% also.

Good point! And in California an additional "Minimum wage surcharge" in restaurants, bars and other hospitality venues too.

 

[Port Power]

Good point! And in California an additional "Minimum wage surcharge" in restaurants, bars and other hospitality venues too.

This has gone off topic, but is interesting. Do these places also then expect further tipping after the surcharge? Or are they the same thing? (Seems another name for tipping to me.)

 

[RooFlyer]

This has gone off topic, but is interesting. Do these places also then expect further tipping after the surcharge? Or are they the same thing? (Seems another name for tipping to me.)

I'm guessing both. A 'tip' should go straight to the employee(s). A 'surcharge' appears to be for the benefit of the business. You may well know, but in the US & elsewhere, you have to look carefully for the direct cost of the meal/good/service and tip on that, not the whole bloody amount of the bill, especially if 'gratuity included'

 

[Economy_Gold]

Agreed! On recent QR/JL J flights I've had at times two choices of $100pb champagne (including rose) and at least one or two wines of a similar price point. Yes, I know price is not necessarily a driver of quality but it gives you an idea of what an airline is willing to invest in its product! Tried my best to run their supplies dry as well and failed...

I can well remember when Qantas was serving St Hugo as red wine in international J (about $45 a bottle nowadays). Today you have a lucky day if your wine in QF international J has a retail cost of half that.
While food and drink is not the only consideration, the obvious cost cutting in this area by QF is very disappointing and has resulted me in booking other options such as QR more often that clearly spend more money per passenger in this category.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

I can well remember when Qantas was serving St Hugo as red wine in international J (about $45 a bottle nowadays). Today you have a lucky day if your wine in QF international J has a retail cost of half that.
While food and drink is not the only consideration, the obvious cost cutting in this area by QF is very disappointing and has resulted me in booking other options such as QR more often that clearly spend more money per passenger in this category.

I recall seeing a bottle of St Hugo in the (old) CBR business lounge. I was pleasantly surprised and double checked the label after having a sip! Think someone meant to place it in the CL...

 

[Berlin]

This has gone off topic, but is interesting. Do these places also then expect further tipping after the surcharge? Or are they the same thing? (Seems another name for tipping to me.)

Yes, it's going off topic. But just to finish off your question: Oh for sure you're tipping on top of it all. So net price plus tax plus minimum wage surcharge (all dependent on state, some have none of this, others- like California- have both) and then around 20% tips.

15% makes you a stingy tourist, 20% gives you a "Call again soon" and from around 23% it's considered a proper tip. Anything under 15% and I better let any American who has ever worked in hospitality tell you what they think of that

 

[Quickstatus]

Off topic

 

[SYD]

QF72 (delayed) but PDB and interesting looking menu. I ordered the prawns and fish. Will report back!

 

[Daver6]

Yep, the US generally is quite pricey with the $ conversion at the moment. Not the cheap shopping paradise anymore even that it once was (though you still pay way less at an outlet mall than you'd pay at a Westfield Down Under).

We ended up buying a fair bit of booze at Target, Walmart and the likes and enjoyed it in our room after dinner to save. Nightclubs are particularly dear indeed and Vegas is probably the worst of it!

Even without the currency conversion I felt I was paying more USD than I would for AUD for a few drinks, especially with another 20% tacked on. Convert to AUD and it's crazy.

Inflation taking a chunk but expected tipping pushing 20+% also.

Tipping is out of control there now. You're expected to tip 20% for Uber. Take away coffee from Starbucks etc, they're pushing for a tip too. It's quite convoluted to not tip when the machine is put in front of you.

This has gone off topic, but is interesting. Do these places also then expect further tipping after the surcharge? Or are they the same thing? (Seems another name for tipping to me.)

Went to one place in Virginia like this. While I think a tip is still expected, the suggested rates are much lower.

I can well remember when Qantas was serving St Hugo as red wine in international J (about $45 a bottle nowadays). Today you have a lucky day if your wine in QF international J has a retail cost of half that.
While food and drink is not the only consideration, the obvious cost cutting in this area by QF is very disappointing and has resulted me in booking other options such as QR more often that clearly spend more money per passenger in this category.

I was just served this Buy Penfolds Penfolds Koonunga Hill 76 Shiraz Cabernet 2018 | Qantas Wine that QF themselves. are flogging for $20. You should be able to pick it up for closer to $17 and you can be sure QF are paying much less again.

 

[Quickstatus]

Off topic

 

[straitman]

[mod hat] Back to the topic please folks. [/mod hat]

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

QF 93 menu for the late flight out of Melbourne

Other bits and pieces. First Spa in MEL Flounge is open 5-9pm only at the moment.

Didn't taste food, went straight to sleep since the flight has rather odd timing and lands you into LAX at 1830 so to beat jetlag you want to be up 2nd half of flight.

Quiche was ok as a snack. Breakfast as generic QF breakfast card fare so I forgot to take a picture of the breakfast card.

 

[SYD]

QF72 (delayed) but PDB and interesting looking menu. I ordered the prawns and fish. Will report back!

The prawns were a cold dish. Probably would have been nicer warmed.


Fish was nice. Did someone say carbs? Enough rice for two…

 

[encryptededdy]

Frittata on today's 6am QF500 SYD to BNE


Direct Aisle access 737

 

[Daver6]

Frittata on today's 6am QF500 SYD to BNE

View attachment 286127
Direct Aisle access 737

Why is it sitting in a watery liquid?

 

[SYD]

Why is it sitting in a watery liquid?

Yes, I’d ask for my tomato juice on the side…

 

[Daver6]

Yes, I’d ask for my tomato juice on the side…

And in a bloody Mary