Air France first class passengers use the Qantas First Class lounge at LAX rather than the Korean Airlines First Class lounge. Little has changed from my last visit, so a new review is not necessary. But I do want to highlight an exceptional meal I enjoyed before my Air France flight to Paris.
I had skipped lunch and arrived in the lounge hungry. Heading straight to the dining area, I was warmly welcomed and presented a menu.
The menu changes seasonally in this lounge and includes appetizers, sandwiches, main courses, sides, desserts. There’s also an elaborate drink menu with cocktails, wines, beer, spirits, coffee, and tea.
To begin, I ordered a “Sardinian Sabbatical” cocktail (Campari, rosemary gin, and orange) and asked what the fish of the day was. It was bass, one of my favorites.
I ordered cauliflower soup as an appetizer followed by sea bass with a side salad and French Fries. The soup arrived first:
It included a dollop of percorino “pistou” according to the menu which is apparently French for pesto. Delicious soup.
But my main course was even better. Served at the perfect temperature and so tender you could cut it with a fork, the sea bass was a very good choice. Under the fish was broccolini, peas, and gremolata (chopped herbs).
The French Fries and side salad also weren’t bad.
To conclude the meal, I ordered a bowl of berries and cappuccino. I figured I had to save my appetite…I would soon be indulging in another feast onboard my Air France flight.
CONCLUSION
I personally do not think this lounge is overrated. Every visit has included a great meal and a great cup of coffee. There’s also comfortable seating and showers. It’s not La Premier Lounge or First Class Terminal, but it is a very solid lounge with delicious food.
Maybe I just went on a bad day, but this wasn’t my experience at all. The soup (cream of mushroom at the time) was dreadful, and they hammered my steak (an Aussie-run establishment ruining a steak has to be a crime against humanity). Add in slow service, and I left disappointed. Good wine, cheese, and coffee, though, and I agree it is a nice space.
@ Matthew — A lovely lounge, indeed!
“so tender you could eat it with a fork”
What else would you eat it with? 😉
I think you meant cut…
Correct!
What fish can you NOT cut with a fork? 🙂
Hahaha… My thought exactly. It’s a white, flaky fish. I would hate to see it if you couldn’t just use your fork!
its a nice lounge but flagship dining has better options IMO, and is a lot more exclusive to get into.
Holy crap, did you ask for extra oil/grease on that fish?
If it is a steak you can cut it with a fork, then it would be impressive.
What fish cannot be cut with a fork? Even an overcooked fish can still be cut with a fork.
Now if it serves Chilean Sea Bass instead of the ubiquitous “Sea Bass” whenever they dont want diner knows the real name of the fish… then it would be worthy of note. But it was not the case. Besides, the fish does not even look good in your picture as the flesh looks kind of grayish instead of very white, flaky texture that a true good fish should look like.