HKG Pier dining what a let down!
Apr 15, 2019, 7:52 am
#61
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,990
I typically go to Boston to visit my dad, and we eat lots of seafood (including Legal), so I'm usually not super eager for more at the airport. My DC palette, by contrast, is less seafood focused, and I really like DCA for some reason. I realize that comparing it with HKG is apples to oranges, but I would be happy as a clam if we could clone it throughout Asia.
Apr 16, 2019, 6:13 am
#64
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
If you had spent time reading here, and not on the blogs, your expectations might've been tempered a bit going in
.
The impression out there in the blogs or on Instagram about CX is essentially phony. Not wrong all the time, but not necessarily right either. More like just travel porn. And the expectations they build are essentially what you DONT want prior to going in. I recently advised a cousin looking forward to some future flights to completely avoid reading internet "reviews", "trip reports", etc. They're more downside than upside but they're like drugs, he can't help himself.
.The impression out there in the blogs or on Instagram about CX is essentially phony. Not wrong all the time, but not necessarily right either. More like just travel porn. And the expectations they build are essentially what you DONT want prior to going in. I recently advised a cousin looking forward to some future flights to completely avoid reading internet "reviews", "trip reports", etc. They're more downside than upside but they're like drugs, he can't help himself.
I just came back from JFK and I can't believe how the AA dining facility and The Pier HKG are both Sodexo operated. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with AA FFD being a 'real F' lounge facility, but it just tells me that regardless of the operator, if the budget is there then great things can be achieved. Sadly not here at HKG for the time being.
Apr 16, 2019, 11:15 am
#65
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: CGK
Posts: 2,375
Precisely - the state of the Pier F dining nowadays is that, I actually prefer to eat onboard even for midnight departures, and we all know CX F catering is not outstanding at all per se.
I just came back from JFK and I can't believe how the AA dining facility and The Pier HKG are both Sodexo operated. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with AA FFD being a 'real F' lounge facility, but it just tells me that regardless of the operator, if the budget is there then great things can be achieved. Sadly not here at HKG for the time being.
I just came back from JFK and I can't believe how the AA dining facility and The Pier HKG are both Sodexo operated. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with AA FFD being a 'real F' lounge facility, but it just tells me that regardless of the operator, if the budget is there then great things can be achieved. Sadly not here at HKG for the time being.
Apr 17, 2019, 8:36 am
#66
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PVG
Programs: BA Gold, TK E+, ex AA EXP
Posts: 510
Precisely - the state of the Pier F dining nowadays is that, I actually prefer to eat onboard even for midnight departures, and we all know CX F catering is not outstanding at all per se.
I just came back from JFK and I can't believe how the AA dining facility and The Pier HKG are both Sodexo operated. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with AA FFD being a 'real F' lounge facility, but it just tells me that regardless of the operator, if the budget is there then great things can be achieved. Sadly not here at HKG for the time being.
I just came back from JFK and I can't believe how the AA dining facility and The Pier HKG are both Sodexo operated. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with AA FFD being a 'real F' lounge facility, but it just tells me that regardless of the operator, if the budget is there then great things can be achieved. Sadly not here at HKG for the time being.
Apr 24, 2019, 8:08 am
#67
Formerly known as jsfrSuperElite
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hong Kong, Montreal
Programs: Air Canada SE100K-1MM, Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 590
This article pretty sums it up.
THE SHOCKING DECLINE OF CATHAY PACIFICS HONG KONG LOUNGE FOOD
https://www.godsavethepoints.com/201...g-lounge-food/
Apr 24, 2019, 8:28 am
#68
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: HKG
Programs: BA(GGL) QF LTS CX AM, Hilton Diamond, PPL(A)
Posts: 1,654
This article pretty sums it up.
THE SHOCKING DECLINE OF CATHAY PACIFICS HONG KONG LOUNGE FOOD
https://www.godsavethepoints.com/201...g-lounge-food/
i also agree with the author that the plaza premium days were the belle epoque... i miss those days (peninsula not so much)
Apr 24, 2019, 11:46 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Tokyo, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Dublin
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 880
I just came back from JFK and I can't believe how the AA dining facility and The Pier HKG are both Sodexo operated. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison with AA FFD being a 'real F' lounge facility, but it just tells me that regardless of the operator, if the budget is there then great things can be achieved. Sadly not here at HKG for the time being.
The apples to apples comparison is right outside the F Dining Area, in the very pedestrian main OWE/EXP zone. Never mind that it's all self-served, but the best you'll be serving to yourself seemed to be mac&cheese and some biscuits when I was there two days ago. Not dissimilar to what you might get at a 試食 counter in costco on a weekend ...
Apr 25, 2019, 5:04 am
#73
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 481
I'd say CX's budget is plenty quite generous already.
The apples to apples comparison is right outside the F Dining Area, in the very pedestrian main OWE/EXP zone. Never mind that it's all self-served, but the best you'll be serving to yourself seemed to be mac&cheese and some biscuits when I was there two days ago. Not dissimilar to what you might get at a 試食 counter in costco on a weekend ...
The apples to apples comparison is right outside the F Dining Area, in the very pedestrian main OWE/EXP zone. Never mind that it's all self-served, but the best you'll be serving to yourself seemed to be mac&cheese and some biscuits when I was there two days ago. Not dissimilar to what you might get at a 試食 counter in costco on a weekend ...
but tbh I find even the best of these lounges (QR AS) can be inconsistent.
Major problem is people are treating these places like a Michlin Star Restaurant and have unreasonable expectation.
Sure - CX did cut compared to 20 years ago (Remember the Wing back then still had an Elemis Spa (pay for) ).
But I personally don't find it so bad that is inedible.
Apr 25, 2019, 2:38 pm
#74
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,796
I think this is the problem. If F lounges were filled primarily with paid F pax, they might have a right to expect a premium dining experience. Since this is now generally not the case it's no surprise airlines are cutting back on the luxury levels. If I was a paid F pax I would be furious. As someone who has never paid for F or had OWE status it's nice to know that if I want a nice meal I can stay on the island until the last minute (eating M3* for less than the difference between J & F) or eat better outside the lounge (for substantially less). If I just happen to be peckish due to circumstances beyond my control then there is some free and (debatably) edible food in the lounge, so much the better. Only done one Pier F and didn't dine, just spent the time with some tea in a cabin watching an A380 arrive and leave (it sounds like this part of service hasn't changed). It was much more relaxing than some of my recent Wing experiences with a completely stuffed lounge (I should have stayed out of the lounge). Cabin is right up there now for me for food and experience.
Apr 25, 2019, 4:44 pm
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,990
I think this is the problem. If F lounges were filled primarily with paid F pax, they might have a right to expect a premium dining experience. Since this is now generally not the case it's no surprise airlines are cutting back on the luxury levels. If I was a paid F pax I would be furious. As someone who has never paid for F or had OWE status it's nice to know that if I want a nice meal I can stay on the island until the last minute (eating M3* for less than the difference between J & F) or eat better outside the lounge (for substantially less). If I just happen to be peckish due to circumstances beyond my control then there is some free and (debatably) edible food in the lounge, so much the better. Only done one Pier F and didn't dine, just spent the time with some tea in a cabin watching an A380 arrive and leave (it sounds like this part of service hasn't changed). It was much more relaxing than some of my recent Wing experiences with a completely stuffed lounge (I should have stayed out of the lounge). Cabin is right up there now for me for food and experience.