Qantas Business Class meals & menus

[markis10]

For all the conversation of how could any catering let alone a hot meal be provided so early in the morning from smaller ports (e.g. HBA), this morning seemed to put that to sleep (unless somehow NTL >>> HBA).

Cold storage on the E190s is available, not so on the 737 etc

 

[anat0l]

Cold storage on the E190s is available, not so on the 737 etc

How does it work? Do you need to keep power on the aircraft all night to keep the fridges on?

A subtle advantage for the E90s as opposed to the more workhorse mainline 737s. Anyone aware if the Airbuses replacing the 737s also have cold storage?

 

[markis10]

Believe it’s dry ice based as opposed to active power

 

[anat0l]

QF1965 BNE-NTL dep 1400 op Alliance a/c E90

Managed to score an earlier flight, and perhaps in the process sidestepped a roast meal!

Spinach and feta pie (or slice of pie), serve with ratatouille. Same as @DrJ 's meal the other day, except no rocket or other sides, just a Lindt ball. A very generous serving by most restaurant standards, tasted quite alright, if maybe the flavour didn’t taste as salty as most other similar pies (probably due to being heated in the covered dish with the ratatouille, as well as being chilled and then reheated). Eating the pie with the ratatouille together was very pleasant and balanced.

Decided to take a bit of wine and opted for the Chalmers Mother Block 2023 white blend from the Murray Darling basin. The picture doesn't obviously show how much a typical pour is - I deliberately asked for a very small pour (not much more than a tasting pour). Not an expensive bottle by any means, but it has good character for a refreshing drinking wine IMHO. But people will probably write it off due to being a white blend (and quite a few different grapes have gone into it).

CSM Belinda provided a relaxed, pleasant service, particularly to a full J cabin with the flight moving quickly through the air ahead of pace - while not everyone ate, there were quite a few bar orders, with tea and coffee thrown in.

 

[anat0l]

QF1962 NTL-BNE dep 0600 op Alliance a/c E90

Same breakfast options as before, so I go for the frittata this time over the scrambled eggs. The frittata incorporates capsicum within it, with garnishes of tomato, sausages and creamed spinach. Served again with a warmed raspberry and coconut muffin and packet of dried upcycled fruit. Tea and coffee were available, but I declined.

I usually pass on frittatas as I've never found them great, which is a rather irrational conclusion as they can't be too far from most scrambled eggs or quiches. That said, this frittata, while tasting OK, had a texture like wet sponge, if a sponge could also fall apart when cut and bit into. I wonder if they use powdered eggs in the frittata. Sausages were nice, not cheap hot dogs. The spinach was not shredded like in the scrambled eggs dish, but left a bit long and clearly incorporating some sort of cream or butter, which from looks may put off some people. The spinach seemed to taste a bit more bitter in this dish (natural, not additionally bitter), but I don't mind this at all.

Given how close and compartmentalised both breakfast choices are, you could conceive an idea where you take elements of both dishes (scrambled eggs, frittatas, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, spinach and baked beans), heat them all up together, then allow pax to mix and match elements, providing a bespoke breakfast to order. But this would create quite a bit of work for the CSM, especially on short E90 sectors with a full J cabin.

CSM Kate was cheerful and ran service well this morning.

 

[OZDUCK]

QF1962 NTL-BNE dep 0600 op Alliance a/c E90

Same breakfast options as before, so I go for the frittata this time over the scrambled eggs. The frittata incorporates capsicum within it, with garnishes of tomato, sausages and creamed spinach. Served again with a warmed raspberry and coconut muffin and packet of dried upcycled fruit. Tea and coffee were available, but I declined.

I usually pass on frittatas as I've never found them great, which is a rather irrational conclusion as they can't be too far from most scrambled eggs or quiches. That said, this frittata, while tasting OK, had a texture like wet sponge, if a sponge could also fall apart when cut and bit into. I wonder if they use powdered eggs in the frittata. Sausages were nice, not cheap hot dogs. The spinach was not shredded like in the scrambled eggs dish, but left a bit long and clearly incorporating some sort of cream or butter, which from looks may put off some people. The spinach seemed to taste a bit more bitter in this dish (natural, not additionally bitter), but I don't mind this at all.

Given how close and compartmentalised both breakfast choices are, you could conceive an idea where you take elements of both dishes (scrambled eggs, frittatas, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, spinach and baked beans), heat them all up together, then allow pax to mix and match elements, providing a bespoke breakfast to order. But this would create quite a bit of work for the CSM, especially on short E90 sectors with a full J cabin.

CSM Kate was cheerful and ran service well this morning.

View attachment 471700

I am glad to see someone else shares my opinion of frittata.

 

[anat0l]

QF1967 BNE-NTL dep 1855 op Alliance a/c E90

Some interesting bits and pieces to start this flight (aside from the comical lounge announcements - see Member Chit Chat posts around this date). First, we got a bus gate (aka when priority boarding often dissolves as a benefit) to quite a far parking position. Second, the captain did his PA on the ground just as we were about to close the door, and he implored at the end, "Remember everyone, it's only an hour flight to Newcastle, and there are 88 of you in the main cabin. Please help our FAs to complete service nice and quickly." (or something to that effect). Third, we were about to close up and leave after that PA, but then the pilot comes back on and informs us - apart from tempting fate - that we can't go because the toilets were not serviced and there was no fresh water, so the service truck had to come over and finish that. That pretty much drained away any chance (p***ed away any chance? Both pun intended ) of getting away on time, much less early.

One single hot option again, and it's not a roast! Instead, we have a Balinese red chicken curry served with yellow rice with peas and carrots. Curry actually had a little bit of kick to it, as in it was nowhere near hot but for the uninitiated there's hints of spices in there. Might have been enough to put off the man over the other side of the aisle from me, who just took a couple of spoonfuls. Chicken used was thighs, very tender, moist and flavourful. Rice was OK as a filler, as it was just steamed, moist and tending towards overcooked. Overall, a satisfying meal. Finished with the usual Lindt ball.

Had the pleasure of having CSM Belinda again for this service, and once again friendly and efficient service. Very attentive in providing beverage service to another pax and ensuring there were GF snacks for him. She spent most of the flight after the initial service helping in the Y cabin.