Vegetarians in the QP?

[tocal]

The likelihood of me joining the QP anytime in the next year is fairly low, especially given the cost vs. not much travel, but for future reference (I was just reading the thread about Qantas Club and Business Lounges), are the many vegetarian options? I'm vegetarian and find often even the nicest places have a dearth of decent non-meat options, which renders the complimentary food pretty much useless. Even when places offer something veg, it tends to be bland or basic and really not worth it. On top of the fact I drink very little alcohol, I'm wondering whether the idea of membership is ever worth considering, even if my travel does significantly increase?

 

[simongr]

I wouldnt sell the QP food as a reason to join - for me it is about (generally) peace and quiet and somewhere to sit. The soups are often vegetarian and they have salads and cheese (noting you are vegetarian and not vegan). I haven't however seen a hot option that doesn't contain meat.

 

[puppysparkes]

My partner is vegetarian and she has had no problems with the food on our travels. There is usually pasta or mushrooms dishes, and a bean mix available. The best mushroom dish by far was the chilli and corriander in DRW. Her choices are a bit wider because she doesn't mind fish and the tuna salad isn't too bad at all. But I agree with simongr, it's about that little getway you can usually rely on for some quite time.

 

[BAM1748]

I wouldnt sell the QP food as a reason to join - for me it is about (generally) peace and quiet and somewhere to sit. The soups are often vegetarian and they have salads and cheese (noting you are vegetarian and not vegan). I haven't however seen a hot option that doesn't contain meat.

Salads and cheeses, that's what my food eats.


But as simongr points out, you're joining for the overall package not one thing specifically. Though the booze is a seller for me. :mrgreen:

Matt

 

[Shelf]

I'm vego and I haven't had a problem finding a bite to eat.

 

[here2go]

I was an ethical vegetarian in my youth, and became aware of everything that contained "death" all around me. This provided great fodder as my willpower weakened (I love the taste) to stir committed vegetarian friends - not to criticise them in their noble decision (I have total respect) but to point out how difficult it is to be committed to the cause. Be careful with choices in QP.

* CUB beers, which include Guinness, contain the distilled bladder of the tilapia fish as a clarifying agent, as do many wines. Drink Coopers and Lion Nathan instead
* Cigarettes use pig blood in the paper - they're not even halal/kosher! I suspected something when I contacted British American re: whether their cigarettes contained animal products as a joke, then I got a strange phone call in return, "We refuse to confirm or deny the presence of animal products in our cigarettes." A few years later the pig blood story was in the press. My vegetarian friend quit as a result of this info.

 

[badseed]

Actually CUB beers are now fine - apart from a couple of imports. Still won't touch it though due to the taste ;-)

I'm vegan and a QP member, and tend to be able to have something decent. The QF International J-Lounge (waiting for JQ36) at MEL provided a lovely fruit salad, plus cereal (ask for soy milk and they'll bring some out for you), and they'll point out the bread that is ok as well. Plus my soy latte, a couple of beers and some juice I can easily find value.

 

[here2go]

Actually CUB beers are now fine - apart from a couple of imports. Still won't touch it though due to the taste ;-)

Damn - I can't stir on that basis anymore.

 

[ckck]

I am not vegetarian, however I do not eat meat on Friday. I often fly out on a Friday night and have had no problem finding something to eat in the QAntas Pub or the J lounge.

I just ask the people behind the counter what is vego on the menu. I was told once that the soup is always vego and I am yet to find a meat based soup.

With the salad bar it is best to check with someone if there is no label indicating what is on offer as I once nearly grabbed a bit of Quinoa salad only to see that it had chicken.

One night I sat at the island not realising that they were in the middle of an "island dining" service. I was offered the meat dish and I told them I would just head off with my salads as I don't eat meat on Friday. The waiter said that they had a vego option too. I didn't hang around for island dining b/c I was in J for my flight and now I regret it as I am curious as to what was on offer.

So just ask, I have found the staff to be most helpful in helping me with my food options.


I don't do jetlag.

 

[significance]

It depends how fussy you are. There is usually something vegetarian to eat, but people will use the same tongs and spoons that have been used for the meat -- and I know this would put everything off-limits for some vegetarians.

 

[Foreigner]

I was in MEL QP yesterday and the veg options were poor. One of two soups, noted as veg, was suspect. Almost all soups in QPs have one or another ingredient of animal product.You can verify by asking the staff to check their notes on ingredients.

(By comparison, VA options are plentiful. Hey, that's my opinion.)

I read about Guinness and it was a surprise to me. I stick with spirits and local beers...was Chivas / Crown last night.

If food is most important to you, you'll may get disappointed with the lounge. As others have said, it's a neat place to have shower, read, watch TV/news, relax until almost everyone has boarded. Perfect place to watch other people (inc. staff) and their idiosyncrasies.

 

[tocal]

It depends how fussy you are. There is usually something vegetarian to eat, but people will use the same tongs and spoons that have been used for the meat -- and I know this would put everything off-limits for some vegetarians.

I don't mind meat at all - the smell, taste, whatever - it's just an ethical choice. And because some vegos can give us a bad name, I'm never fussy about meat-things touching non-meat things (unless it's seafood, which I've just always found rather gross). I only really drink cider (although I'm pregnant at the moment), so the beer stuff, while unsurprising (the many ways they find to put animals in things!), doesn't bother me

I'm not vegan (yet), and that's partially due to the almost-impossibility of getting a decent meal or snack while out anywhere . It's usually "we have a garden salad" or "no, sorry, that has meat/milk/cheese in it." Still, I understand it's not exceptionally common to be vegan, and the supply of soy milk (which I just prefer to cows' milk) is always welcomed.

 

[NTflyer]

I am also a vegetarian and have recently joined QP and found the offerings to be OK. In the last couple of weeks I have been in DRW, BNE, CBR, ASP, MEL and SYD QP's and they have all been able to provide something edible.

 

[JohnK]

Salads and cheeses, that's what my food eats.

With or without dressing?

 

[Foreigner]

Observation in Melbourne QP...salty peanuts and other munchies at the bar have made way for rice and vegetable snacks - maybe to reduce beer consumption as salty food stimulates thirst.

 

[serfty]

Peanuts have long been gone from the QP's ...

 

[SeatBackForward]

The likelihood of me joining the QP anytime in the next year is fairly low, especially given the cost vs. not much travel, but for future reference (I was just reading the thread about Qantas Club and Business Lounges), are the many vegetarian options? I'm vegetarian and find often even the nicest places have a dearth of decent non-meat options, which renders the complimentary food pretty much useless. Even when places offer something veg, it tends to be bland or basic and really not worth it. On top of the fact I drink very little alcohol, I'm wondering whether the idea of membership is ever worth considering, even if my travel does significantly increase?

Firstly, lets get something cleared up, you say you're a vegetarian, something about caring for animals, not wanting to hurt fellow creatures etc..but lets be honest - YOU REALLY REALLY HATE PLANTS.. right? its ok, I'm with you on this one...especially them damn legumes, we should eat them off the face of the planet..

And whats this about little alcohol consumption?? WELCOME MY FRIEND!, please come join us, you will be more than welcoem to consume as much of the nuts, soft drink as you please

</sarcasm>

In all seriousness, the QP is good for the Wifi, the drinks and the toilets. The food at the QP has never been any sort of incentive for me to hang out there, any time of day.

 

[tocal]

Firstly, lets get something cleared up, you say you're a vegetarian, something about caring for animals, not wanting to hurt fellow creatures etc..but lets be honest - YOU REALLY REALLY HATE PLANTS.. right? its ok, I'm with you on this one...especially them damn legumes, we should eat them off the face of the planet..

And whats this about little alcohol consumption?? WELCOME MY FRIEND!, please come join us, you will be more than welcoem to consume as much of the nuts, soft drink as you please

</sarcasm>

In all seriousness, the QP is good for the Wifi, the drinks and the toilets. The food at the QP has never been any sort of incentive for me to hang out there, any time of day.

Oh dear, I have been caughteth. Yes, I do indeed harbour a strong hatred for anything that grows in the ground. I tried to pretend it was for the animal, but really ... it's those damn brussel sprouts that started it!

And when I'm not pregnant, I do on occasion enjoy a nice drink; my husband works in IT and is forever working (even when he's not working) so I can't say we'd be sad at the Wifi either. Hopefully we'll manage to get invited along one day to try it out so we can see whether it's worth the $1200 for both of us :/

 

[SeatBackForward]

Oh dear, I have been caughteth. Yes, I do indeed harbour a strong hatred for anything that grows in the ground. I tried to pretend it was for the animal, but really ... it's those damn brussel sprouts that started it!

And when I'm not pregnant, I do on occasion enjoy a nice drink; my husband works in IT and is forever working (even when he's not working) so I can't say we'd be sad at the Wifi either. Hopefully we'll manage to get invited along one day to try it out so we can see whether it's worth the $1200 for both of us :/

Ah got ya!

QP access is really only worth it if you intend to travel regularly. in which case there's a good chance you' might get it on Gold Frequent Flyer level automatically anyhow. Even if you're only flying say 4 times a year..the $1200 isn't worth it IMO.

By the way, paid membership to this site grants you access to get Qantas Club access at a discount (I believe..)

 

[tocal]

By the way, paid membership to this site grants you access to get Qantas Club access at a discount (I believe..)

Yeah, the $1200 was taking that into account :/