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Following on from the success of the Tweet & Greet, Qantas announced another for a Tweet & Eat. After much waiting, finally at 2pm on Thursday 4th a tweet was sent out with a link to register. You had to be quick – the places filled up in around 60 seconds! On April 13, the lucky “winners” would sample the new menu from the new Singapore Lounge at Spice Temple, Neil Perry’s second restaurant at Crown Casino in Melbourne.
I was lucky enough to reply with my details and I was in. Several other Frequent Flyers also made it in time. So at midday on Saturday we all milled around the entrance to Spice Temple wondering what was in store. we were ushered downstairs where bar staff were preparing cocktails. Named after the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. I started with the Rooster.
The Rooster Cocktail
After we nearly finished out drinks we were ushered to the tables to begin our sampling! A quick head count had it at around 30 guests (now I know why it filled in about a minute!). Our first sample was the pork belly slider. Literally bite size, these were a great way to get started. Full of flavour, these will be a hit. A great snack to start you off.
The table laid out
Pork Belly Slider
The first round of dishes came out next, tingling prawns and a crisp pork belly and smoked tofu with ginger and garlic dressing.
While we were sampling these dishes we were given a talk by Neil Perry. I am sure the whole room had the same opinion as I did – he is passionate about his food, passionate about the lounge and passionate about his relationship with Qantas. His aim is to make the lounge an amazing experience. We were also told that work was under way on the new lounge at LAX and Hong Kong begins soon. Sadly no ETA’s!
Crisp pork belly and smoked Tofu with spicy ginger and garlic dressing.
Tingling prawns
We had a talk from another from Neil’s team followed by Samantha, head of the international cabin crew. It was interesting to hear of the re-training that is happening and that some of us had noticed a distinct change in the manner of the cabin crew on recent flights. She was eager to hear of our feedback and ideas. I hope this is a sign of things to come, as we all know the cabin crew has been somewhat hit and miss in the past.
Our next two dishes arrived, Handmade yellow noodles with Wagyu braised brisket, chilli and Sichuan pepper and hot and fragrant prawns.
Handmade yellow noodles with Waygu braised brisket chilli and Sichuan pepper
Hot and fragrant stir fried
On to our final dishes, the stir fried Wagyu brisket with Baby eggplant and chilli, and finally the hot and numbing crispy duck. the duck was a clear winner – Amazing taste.
Stir Fried Wagyu brisket with baby eggplant and chilli
Hot and numbing crispy duck
If I had to pick a favourite dish, I think the hot and numbing crispy duck takes the cake. followed closely by the crisp pork belly and smoked Tofu.
The dessert was Ruby red grapefruit granola with aperol and crushed hazelnuts. Not sweet so a refreshing way to finish.
Ruby red grapefruit granola with aperol and crushed hazelnuts
I was lucky enough to quickly meet Neil and have a photo taken with him. I hope to dine at Rockpool one day in the near future! his passion for food is amazing. And he is a really nice guy to top it off.
Yours truly with Neil Perry
The intimate surrounds of Spice Temple
To the other lucky tweeters who were there, it was great to meet some new faces, and catch up with some familiar ones!
To anyone travelling to Singapore and able to use the lounge, I can say that you were thoroughly enjoy it if the food is any indication. The team were truly proud of the lounge and rightfully so. the early pictures look amazing. I’ll be travelling there in July and will post a report. To anyone going in the meatime, please post a review on the forums for us all to see (and envy!)
Hope to see you at another event!
