Spice bar at Melbourne Qantas Domestic Business Lounge

[DC3]

My first time trying the Spice Bar before the F lounge opens:
View attachment 267995

Nice photo

 

[RichardMEL]

It does seem strange that the catering could not have been improved in SYD to a similar level to MEL/BNE/PER. Obviously the lounge renos are well overdue in SYD and I guess that would be a factor but seems like there could be something a bit better than the endless "chicken curry" and rice type dish or small variations on that theme. Specially with the current staff serve meals there would be more scope I would have thought.. but I guess costs are an issue.

Definitely do prefer the MEL food catering since the redo than SYD (including the party pie frenzy which I assume has gone the way of the alpha strain)

 

[jakeseven7]

It does seem strange that the catering could not have been improved in SYD to a similar level to MEL/BNE/PER. Obviously the lounge renos are well overdue in SYD and I guess that would be a factor but seems like there could be something a bit better than the endless "chicken curry" and rice type dish or small variations on that theme. Specially with the current staff serve meals there would be more scope I would have thought.. but I guess costs are an issue.

Definitely do prefer the MEL food catering since the redo than SYD (including the party pie frenzy which I assume has gone the way of the alpha strain)

Perhaps when MEL was refurbished they had more/different equipment out in the kitchens as well, allowing for the new menu items and overall better food than SYD? I too think the MEL lounges have far superior food.

 

[RichardMEL]

Perhaps when MEL was refurbished they had more/different equipment out in the kitchens as well, allowing for the new menu items and overall better food than SYD? I too think the MEL lounges have far superior food.

Yes, I thought of that. The spice bar space there does obviously have some dedicated facilities.

I'd note that in SYD the J lounge (which of course used to be part of the general, and huge, QC but the whole lot was cut in half more or less to create the J lounge and we have the CL kind of in the middle there between the two. The CL has appropriate kitchen facilities to do better meals as is. and even that area in SYD J behind the bar area and food servce area which has the kitchen area, or at least *A* kitchen area surely all it would need was a rejig of whatever is in there, or heck let's be honest probably less hard product as they say and more soft to do something a bit better than they have. I'm not saying they could fit in pizza ovens or a proper place to cook with woks and the like, but if they can heat up party pies, make rice and the like somehow it seems like they could do something better.

I would also note it is more than possible to get CL food into the J lounge too (I have been lucky enough to enjoy S&P squid there by association) and so in a pinch they could definitely find a way to get some better food in. Maybe the problem is scale for the crowd which I totally appreciate as being an issue.

The broader issue with SYD will be the obvious disruption and chaos when they finally do make the long mooted redo.....

 

[astrosly]

Had the minced pork on Tuesday. Very tasty dish. Could not say the same about the chicken cacciatore in SYD - tasted more like canned fish.

Just had the minced pork and agree with you. Delicious. And the alternative hot dish is beef pasta!

Not looking forward to the layover in SYD before my evening flight home. When I transited SYD on Saturday the options pretty much were chicken something with rice, chicken wings and chicken sandwiches. There was one ham sandwich left but that was grabbed by the person in front of me. I'm expecting chicken something again in SYD and not much else so filling up in MEL.

 

[Lynda2475]

No Laksa today choice of Szechuan pork or mushroom with noodles and cucumber

 

[AIRwin]

Nice photo

Thanks!

Looks like the Sichuan minced pork noodles has been reported to be on the menu in the last 2 weeks on 28 December, 30 December, 3 January and 9 January...

 

[Berlin]

No Laksa today choice of Szechuan pork or mushroom with noodles and cucumber

Thanks- lookin gooood!

We can scold Qantas as we like, but that food in the Melbourne lounge is exquisite!

Not that this excuses a lane salad or party pie on the flight after…

 

[RichardMEL]

Yesterday's offering was pretty good I thought and a bit different to the usual

 

[serfty]

Yesterday's offering was pretty good I thought and a bit different to the usual

..

Yes, I had that on the 21st, a bit dangerous for HLO international travel but I was careful.

Nice feed before my connection to Sydney.

 

[tifmono]

Returning to domestic travel after a long COVID break, have a few questions:
- Have they resumed 'on arrival' lounge access for Platinum members? Believe it was suspended for awhile?
- Can you still bring a non-traveling guest to the lounge with you?
- Anyone turned away from SYD or MEL business lounges recently due to full capacity?

Many thanks!

 

[serfty]

Returning to domestic travel after a long COVID break, have a few questions:
- Have they resumed 'on arrival' lounge access for Platinum members? Believe it was suspended for awhile?
- Can you still bring a non-traveling guest to the lounge with you?
- Anyone turned away from SYD or MEL business lounges recently due to full capacity?

Many thanks!

Yes, since middlish last year (OTTOMH)
Yes, since middlish last year
I am unaware of any reports of this - over the Christmas/new Year period they reopened the Qantas Clubs on days when they expected to need the extra capacity.

 

[Berlin]

Yes, since middlish last year (OTTOMH)
Yes, since middlish last year
I am unaware of any reports of this - over the Christmas/new Year period they reopened the Qantas Clubs on days when they expected to need the extra capacity.

Also haven't heard of this recently. If anything- often now both Business and the Qantas club are open in parallel again which wasn't the case a few weeks back. Makes for very empty lounges which is a bit sad but at the same time of course also super relaxing atmosphere wise.

 

[jakeseven7]

Also haven't heard of this recently. If anything- often now both Business and the Qantas club are open in parallel again which wasn't the case a few weeks back. Makes for very empty lounges which is a bit sad but at the same time of course also super relaxing atmosphere wise.

Both MEL lounges were 'pleasantly' busy last week (but was in peak AM).

I imagine the shoulder periods are very quiet though.

 

[Rebus]

I travelled MEL-SYD rtn on Thursday and on both occasions only the Business Lounge was open. In fact when I arrived at the lounge area reception at Sydney they didn't even check my boarding pass, just waved around 15 passengers straight through.

Both MEL lounges were 'pleasantly' busy last week (but was in peak AM).

I imagine the shoulder periods are very quiet though.

 

[tifmono]

Thanks for all your info re: current status of domestic lounges.

One last question, are they back to the buffet self-serve style (besides spice lounge), or is everything including e.g. the sandwich/salad bar still served by staff only?

 

[mviy]

I would be very surprised if self-serve buffets returned anytime soon.

 

[puchu]

It is all served by staff

 

[jakeseven7]

Thanks for all your info re: current status of domestic lounges.

One last question, are they back to the buffet self-serve style (besides spice lounge), or is everything including e.g. the sandwich/salad bar still served by staff only?

Served by staff and the food is better IMHO than pre covid!

 

[jase05]

It is all served by staff

Been self serve at HBA every time I’ve been there throughout the pandemic