Agree, preclearance flights are another matter. Other than that, just give them a later flight (the server is not going to insist on physically inspecting your boarding card...) and you will be fine �� Come to think of it, no one there taking a food order has ever asked me when my flight was leaving. Maybe that is a new way of reducing catering expenses ��
As to the "buffet", I have only been there at night, and have seen some small things there, but not very appealing (never had anything, usually order off the snack menu if hungry) and it is tiny anyway. So perhaps it depends on the time of day if they put something out. But agree with the other posters, if they bother with a buffet there should be a decent offering (commensurate with the fact that it is a F lounge) at all times.