HKG Pier dining — what a let down!
Apr 6, 2019, 8:58 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), TK Elite (*G), BT VIP, HH D, BW DS
Posts: 484
Here's my two cents. While I don't probably use the dining room as frequently as many of the ppl here (maybe twice a month on average, but 90% of visits at dinner time), I've observed a few things.
Ever since the last handover, the level of service has been very dependant on the individual staff members on duty. There are a few of them who are just excellent. For instance, one presents the menu items and recommends items very well, and service is very polished. The other always makes sure to welcome me back and stop for a quick chat even if she's not serving my table. They also take note when items are not delivered within reasonable time frames and push the bar/kitchen accordingly.
But at the other end of the spectrum, it's a completely different league. Like others have reported, some staff members who don't seem to understand a single word of English, who constantly deliver items to the wrong table and just seem constantly in hurry to get out of the CS interaction. Also, having trained some CS people myself, most of the staff have little to no proactive eye when it comes to anticipating customer requests and wants. Although I do appreciate some of the staff are fairly young, so they're still learning the ropes.
In terms of food quality, I do agree that the menus could use work. However, I've always been able to find some good dishes that suit my taste. E.g. the highlights of the March menu for me were the Thai Beef Salad and the Beef Cheek main. The downside is that the food is not always consistent either. Not a recent case, but I remember having a lamb dish some time late last year. The first try was by far the best lounge dish I've ever had. On the second occasion, however, the dish was inedible and I had to send it back to the kitchen.
For me, I know that I'll have a good experience when I see a particular member of staff on duty. If I don't, chances are that it's going to be mediocre at best.
Ever since the last handover, the level of service has been very dependant on the individual staff members on duty. There are a few of them who are just excellent. For instance, one presents the menu items and recommends items very well, and service is very polished. The other always makes sure to welcome me back and stop for a quick chat even if she's not serving my table. They also take note when items are not delivered within reasonable time frames and push the bar/kitchen accordingly.
But at the other end of the spectrum, it's a completely different league. Like others have reported, some staff members who don't seem to understand a single word of English, who constantly deliver items to the wrong table and just seem constantly in hurry to get out of the CS interaction. Also, having trained some CS people myself, most of the staff have little to no proactive eye when it comes to anticipating customer requests and wants. Although I do appreciate some of the staff are fairly young, so they're still learning the ropes.
In terms of food quality, I do agree that the menus could use work. However, I've always been able to find some good dishes that suit my taste. E.g. the highlights of the March menu for me were the Thai Beef Salad and the Beef Cheek main. The downside is that the food is not always consistent either. Not a recent case, but I remember having a lamb dish some time late last year. The first try was by far the best lounge dish I've ever had. On the second occasion, however, the dish was inedible and I had to send it back to the kitchen.
For me, I know that I'll have a good experience when I see a particular member of staff on duty. If I don't, chances are that it's going to be mediocre at best.
Apr 6, 2019, 10:21 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
just have to compare the ice-cream, believe that QF uses (or used to use) Maggie Beer but CX uses stock standard Haagan Daaz.
Apr 6, 2019, 11:31 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
QF is crap. They don’t serve Maggie beer ice cream anymore. Actually CX does serve Maggie beer ex syd
the breakfast offering for QF in the hkg-Syd is just a stale bun with fatty bacon. In J class!!!
also they wake you 2 hours before landing for this
the dinner is also bad and take for ever to serve
the Syd-hkg 2nd meal is a joke. Just a kids size noodle snack.
Your personal taste might differ but at least on CX they feed you properly. QF is a joke and on the aust-hkg routes no wonder CX is trashing them.
Apr 6, 2019, 11:38 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 507
I remember this chap distinctly. IIRC he rocked up, took an active, engaging, part in the service and very politely asked for feedback on areas where they could improve. I did let him know that the experience had been a lot better than expected given Sodexo, initial experience, FT’ers experiences.. at which he had been surprised and we had a nice little chat about flyertalk/how word gets around, Peninsula->PP->Sodexo. The following visit, he remembered, or pretended to remember me (but carried through well enough), and again ended with a request for on the spot feedback to improve if I had the time.
Seems that the beancounters had their way..
He imparted that CX was sincere in wanting to make sure that the Pier F offered the highest quality. He would often go between Pier F and Pier J, and he definitely led by example.
He always asked how the experience was and I'd often say, "No complaints from me," to which he'd always respond that this wasn't a high enough standard for him.
Anyway, I hope he returns soon, but I'm guessing he was assigned elsewhere or was poached by some other firm.
Apr 6, 2019, 11:39 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
Deteriorating food and drinks Qantas Business
other issues with QF:
its either Fruit OR dessert OR cheese and the crew are are adamant about this.
skybed mk2 seats still plague the hkg routes
highly variable crew service levels
lack of any Oneworld Emerald recognition onboard
using plane tank water even in J class as they wanted to be more “environmentally” friendly.
the only good thing about QF is the mattress pad. Some people may like the PJs as well.
other than that and the price is cheaper, CX wins on every aspect
Apr 6, 2019, 11:42 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
Apr 7, 2019, 12:09 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
CX serves movepick
The 2nd meal on QF to hkg
The 2nd meal on CX with the 2 choices
Apr 7, 2019, 2:57 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
I think OP summarised the service at The Pier F dining accurately - food is passable nowadays, but service is totally dysfunctional.
The last time I ordered wonton noodles with extra wontons... what arrived were first wonton without noodles (which I sent back), then wonton noodles on a rather dirty servicing tray comprising of soupy remnants of what was served previously (which was disgusting and I also sent back).
There was once when I was told only 1 server was on duty and food would take up to 45 mins to be served!
The last time I ordered wonton noodles with extra wontons... what arrived were first wonton without noodles (which I sent back), then wonton noodles on a rather dirty servicing tray comprising of soupy remnants of what was served previously (which was disgusting and I also sent back).
There was once when I was told only 1 server was on duty and food would take up to 45 mins to be served!
Apr 7, 2019, 5:10 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
Apr 7, 2019, 5:14 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
I honestly think the food at the QF F Lounge in Sydney is slightly superior to that of Pier F, though admittedly, service can be very dysfunctional at both restaurants. Maybe I had a bad day, but I encountered one of the rudest servers at the Sydney QF F lounge, who forgot all our orders. With my experiences at Pier F, it simply is just hard to get the attention of any of the staff to place an order.
Despite that, I think the food aren't that bad at either place, and I actually enjoyed some of the dishes on offer.
If you think both are terrible, wait until you see the pastries and juices they serve and the 'napkins' at the Malaysia Airlines First Lounge Dining at KLIA.
Despite that, I think the food aren't that bad at either place, and I actually enjoyed some of the dishes on offer.
If you think both are terrible, wait until you see the pastries and juices they serve and the 'napkins' at the Malaysia Airlines First Lounge Dining at KLIA.
Apr 7, 2019, 5:18 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
Apr 7, 2019, 5:31 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
I honestly think the food at the QF F Lounge in Sydney is slightly superior to that of Pier F, though admittedly, service can be very dysfunctional at both restaurants. Maybe I had a bad day, but I encountered one of the rudest servers at the Sydney QF F lounge, who forgot all our orders. With my experiences at Pier F, it simply is just hard to get the attention of any of the staff to place an order.
Despite that, I think the food aren't that bad at either place, and I actually enjoyed some of the dishes on offer.
If you think both are terrible, wait until you see the pastries and juices they serve and the 'napkins' at the Malaysia Airlines First Lounge Dining at KLIA.
Despite that, I think the food aren't that bad at either place, and I actually enjoyed some of the dishes on offer.
If you think both are terrible, wait until you see the pastries and juices they serve and the 'napkins' at the Malaysia Airlines First Lounge Dining at KLIA.
what QF is also missing is a pantry/buffet where you can grab something quick.