Current Qantas First Lounge Menu (SYD/MEL) and relevant topics

[mad_atta]

I clearly wasn't paying enough attention when I passed through on Thursday evening (in a bit of a rush) because I didn't realise it was the new Winter menu - I've only just realised it now.

I can confirm that I tried the Glazed pork belly with spanner crab dish (I even remember at the time wondering whey I hadn't tried it before) and I must say the flavours were spectacular - the best thing I've had at the F lounge in a long time, if not ever.

My other half chose the lamb noodles, which were good, meanwhile the steamed snapper was pleasant but not very exciting. The pavlova was its usual delicious self.

 

[eminere]

I can confirm that I tried the Glazed pork belly with spanner crab dish (I even remember at the time wondering whey I hadn't tried it before) and I must say the flavours were spectacular - the best thing I've had at the F lounge in a long time, if not ever.

Interesting, I only managed two bites of the pork and left the rest of it.

I found the Winter menu overall not to my taste. Much preferred the Autumn menu.

 

[eminere]

And here is the breakfast menu

View attachment 509263 View attachment 509265 View attachment 509264

(The SYD F menu now shows up within the Qantas app - select an upcoming booking, then press "Relax at the Sydney International First lounge")

What a neat trick!

 

[JessicaTam]

I assume there is zero chance of a pleb platinum like myself accessing these by asking nicely?

You assume correctly.

 

[astrosly]

Appears the app is wrong. I was presented with this as the winter breakfast menu in Sydney. The pancakes are different.

 

[sudoer]

Is this new? Not sure I've ever seen a dining time limit in the F lounge!

Looks like 60 minutes for breakfast and 90 minutes for the remainder of the day. Only problem is when they are really under the pump (and most likely to enforce the time limit) I've had dishes take 30-40 minutes to show up...

 

[kpc]

View attachment 509387

Is this new? Not sure I've ever seen a dining time limit in the F lounge!

Looks like 60 minutes for breakfast and 90 minutes for the remainder of the day. Only problem is when they are really under the pump (and most likely to enforce the time limit) I've had dishes take 30-40 minutes to show up...

Yesh have never seen this time limit before....so are they going to ask you to leave midway through your meal?

I have also seen many empty tables in the P1 / F area when there are many people waiting for a regular table

Having said that, I also have seen people who have finished their meal, and just using their laptops...maybe these people should be asked to move first?

 

[levelnine]

Having said that, I also have seen people who have finished their meal, and just using their laptops...maybe these peole should be asked to move first?

That's presumably what it's directed towards.

But nevertheless funny. Nothing screams first class like a 60 minute time limit.

 

[jamesatfish]

Having said that, I also have seen people who have finished their meal, and just using their laptops...maybe these people should be asked to move first?

I do this, mainly because the higher tables in the restaurant section are more comfortable for working on a laptop than the tables in the rest of the lounge, and it's far easier to get a drink refill.

I do ask first when I finish my meal, but I've never been asked to leave to free up the table. I wonder if that will be different the next time I'm there.

 

[kermatu]

I too always ask, but have been told to leave my stuff even when going to get duty free and even once when I was called last minute for a spa appointment. Good to know in advance now this is probably best avoided in future! Unlike MEL, SYD doesn't have any other convenient spaces for using laptops as best I recall? Though the private rooms are rarely used in my experience.

 

[QfHrGr]

I do this, mainly because the higher tables in the restaurant section are more comfortable for working on a laptop than the tables in the rest of the lounge, and it's far easier to get a drink refill.

I do ask first when I finish my meal, but I've never been asked to leave to free up the table. I wonder if that will be different the next time I'm there.

I guess they've brought this in so they can ask for a table to be vacated when it's busy without offending. My last busy period visit, there were 3 groups (2 of 4s & a solo) waiting for tables. They sent the solo to an outside table. 2 of the occupied tables when I arrived were people who had finished their meals. One was a group of 3 taking up 2 tables. When I left after finishing my meal, they were all still there.

 

[mad_atta]

Interesting, I only managed two bites of the pork and left the rest of it.

I found the Winter menu overall not to my taste. Much preferred the Autumn menu.

Huh. Different strokes, I guess. Or might be one of those dishes that is very variable. Will try again and see.

On a totally separate note, has anyone else experienced a disconnect between the waitstaff and bar staff - especially re the Taittinger champagne? On a couple of visits I've asked the waitstaff at the table whether there's any champagne on offer other than the regular Lallier brut and been told no, only to discover Taittinger at the bar later.

Having learned from that, on this trip I stopped by the bar first, and although it wasn't on display I asked whether they had Taittinger today and they gladly opened a bottle and poured me a glass, which I took to where I was working. I took the remains of it to my table a bit later when I was ordering food, and when asked if I wanted a refil I said yes, but that it was the Taittinger not the Lallier, and after initial confusion that seemed fine.

Fast forward 6 or 7 minutes, still no refill, so I ask another different waiter when they dropped off our starters - sure, no problem, they'll bring me a Taittinger. 5 minutes later, still nothing (Lallier, Tattinger or otherwise) so I go to the bar and get my own. Never was another word breathed about the not one but two orders that seemingly evaporated. This was at a not-especially busy time, too.

 

[levelnine]

Odd it’s only the SYD menu. A MEL flight next week doesn’t show it and not my app version as can see the SYD.

First menu for MEL lounge now showing on Qantas app too.