LaReserve

I have made reservations for dinner one evening at LaReserve... I did not see a starting time on the site. Can anyone tell me what time the dinner is set for?

Thanks!

Usually 7pm

They take you in at 7pm but it is good to arrive around 6:45 because they serve an aperitif and amuse bouche at the tables outside the dining room before you go inside. There are 3 tables there and they seat you with other guests that will be sharing your table. Love La Reserve.

Catherine

I was remembering that dinner is at 7:30, the aperitifs at 7:00 ... but it's been a year since we had a La Reserve dinner and my memory may be off as to the exact timing.

But you will have a notice in your room when you arrive specifying the time. The first time we had a La Reserve dinner we arrived in time for dinner to be served (maybe 5 minutes before) and discovered we'd missed the entire "champagne cocktail" part ...

Mura

The dinner starts at 7 pm after the Amuse Bouche and aperitifs. I was at LaReserve 2 weeks ago and also in March of this year.

On our two Riviera cruises, one in January and the second in Feb, both times the dinner started at 7:30. The invitation left in our cabin said 7 for pre dinner drinks and 7:30 for dinner.

We would like to try this. How do you go about reserving "La Reserve" ?

On-line or as soon as we board?

Any chance to see the menu first?

Thanks in advance. - Curtis.

We would like to try this. How do you go about reserving "La Reserve" ?

 

On-line or as soon as we board?

 

Any chance to see the menu first?

 

Thanks in advance. - Curtis.

It is only offered on the O class ships Riviera & Marina

Indeed, La Reserve is not available on Regatta.

But just so you know for the future, you can book online. There are three set menus which are also viewable at the website.

Mura

If you're on Marina or Riviera, you can reserve a dinner in La Reserve online. You can also go to the Reservations desk on board to make a reservation. There are three different menus for the restaurant, The Discovery, Odyssey and Connoisseur. You can see each menu on Oceania's website.

If you're on Marina or Riviera, you can reserve a dinner in La Reserve online. You can also go to the Reservations desk on board to make a reservation. There are three different menus for the restaurant, The Discovery, Odyssey and Connoisseur. You can see each menu on Oceania's website.

The menus are from $95 to I think $150 pp.. If you have the drinks package you get a 20% discount because your covered for wine...

I have gone, and I seriously would only go for the social aspect... the conversations were great. The food was nice, not over the top but quality stuff in very small portions. On the same level as the main dining room or a specialty. I was expecting something more... which was my fault.. It was not to the level I had hoped it would go to.

I would not go again....as the other venues on the ship are fine, just no wine parings..

The menus are from $95 to I think $150 pp.. If you have the drinks package you get a 20% discount because your covered for wine...

 

I have gone, and I seriously would only go for the social aspect... the conversations were great. The food was nice, not over the top but quality stuff in very small portions. On the same level as the main dining room or a specialty. I was expecting something more... which was my fault.. It was not to the level I had hoped it would go to.

 

I would not go again....as the other venues on the ship are fine, just no wine parings..

Dan, I would think we're paying for the wine pairings, although it's all mid range wines. That's why you get the 20% off when you have the drink package. Of course you're also paying for the exclusive event.

My impression of the 3 La Reserve dinners we have had is more positive than Dan's but he may well be more sophisticated than I am about what constitutes a good meal.

Given the number of courses, I'm happy that the portions are small.

I have discovered that even with foods that I am convinced I don't appreciate, I have appreciated them in La Reserve.

Then again, perhaps I was lucky and he was unlucky with the quality of the dinners we enjoyed.

We used to go to the wine paired dinners at the top of the World Trade Center prior to 9/11. Now THAT was a really special evening. They carved out an interior space that would have been difficult to "sell" to people who wanted the view, had a classical guitarist playing quietly in the background, and it was a very special evening. Also a lot less expensive, but then that was in the late '90s.

I do miss the Wine Cellar at the WTC ... But I wouldn't have wanted to be there on the morning of 9/11 ...

Mura

Mura-

We were also loyal patrons of Cellar in the Sky, and if you're ever in Toronto, you must visit the restaurant in the CN tower.

Not an exact replica, but close enough to be like going home again. :o

Thanks for the suggestion. Not only are we fans of Toronto (I haven't been there in many MANY years) but a very close friend from high school lives there. He's even an Oceania fan! Turns out we were both on the same Marina cruise in October '11 but didn't know it until we were both home!

So we now have two incentives to visit there.

Mura

Once again Hawaiidan and I disagree. I thought La Reserve ranks with the best restaurants on land or sea, and that the price was reasonable for what it delivered. Of course, I was only there once so perhaps there are variations but I tend to doubt it. Please note: I am not saying Dan is wrong, just that our subjective opinions differ. If you haven't tried it, do so and then form your own opinion.

I have gone, and I seriously would only go for the social aspect... the conversations were great. The food was nice, not over the top but quality stuff in very small portions.

Are you saying you were left wanting more to eat after seven courses and seven wines??

We loved both our dinners in La Reserve. It was interesting to see how the wine changed in taste depending on what you drank it with. We thought the menus were very good and the food was well prepared and beautifully served.

The menus are from $95 to I think $150 pp.. If you have the drinks package you get a 20% discount because your covered for wine..

Not clear on the 20% discount part. Since we'll be in port everyday we decided not to purchase any the drink packages.... We'll purchase wine in the ports and just pay the cork fee.

Are the wine parings included in the price of the dinner?

They are. But if people have paid for a liquor package, they will get the discount. The rest of the guests just pay the dinner fee (which as I said includes the wine).

Mura

I have discovered that even with foods that I am convinced I don't appreciate, I have appreciated them in La Reserve.

 

 

Mura

Could not agree with you more! We dined in Le Reserve on both of our Riviera sailings and were concerned about a couple of items on the menu. Everything tasted wonderful and we were happy with the portion size. We definitely were not hungry afterwards.

As mentioned, food is subjective but most of the reviews of Le Reserve are good to excellent.

Another tick from us. Quantity and quality were great and the wines were fine. Did I enjoy all the wines, no, but that's OK as well.

SWMbI and I have experienced La Reserve 3 times, twice on Riviera and once on Marina. All three evenings were a joy and a very convivial as well as educational experience. But be careful, you can meet the most delightfully devious folks at these dinner tables who may end up being good friends... :D

We're doing a B2B in November on Riviera and will likely reserve this experience again, this time choosing the more expensive meal pairing. But only because Mura said that she had ended up enjoying some dishes she would never have chosen on her own. If we don't like the food as well it'll be all her fault! ;)

My suggestion would be to reserve your chosen menu soon after you pay your full fare to insure you will get the one you want.

If you have a penthouse or higher suite, your butler will advise you as to when he will arrive to escort you to the pre-dinner festivities.

Oh, and I seriously suggest wearing something expandible. :eek:

L'Chaim!

JMBobB

I really hate it when an answer disappears into the ether, especially when you are about to finish your comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I take no responsibility for anyone liking La Reserve. So there.

For the record, I don't care for scallops or oysters or anything squirmy (although my husband asks why I like mussels). If you say the word "cod" my stomach churns although I don't know why. There's a current TV commercial that says "and we must have COD", and I always yell back, "Why?"!

Now, we've had the original 3 menus which were all wonderful, especially the Conoisseur, but that's why it is more expensive. We won't be able to try the new one until next April on Marina.

I take absolutely NO responsibity for anyone's reactions ... :D

You will have a wonderful evening even if you pass on a few courses. And you still will NOT starve!

Yes, expandible waistlines are an excellent idea!! DH always takes beginning, middle and end cruise apparel ...

Mura

Mura

Once again Hawaiidan and I disagree. I thought La Reserve ranks with the best restaurants on land or sea, and that the price was reasonable for what it delivered. Of course, I was only there once so perhaps there are variations but I tend to doubt it. Please note: I am not saying Dan is wrong, just that our subjective opinions differ. If you haven't tried it, do so and then form your own opinion.

Your very right,,, each if us has likes and opinions of those likes... I am not aloof "sophisticate"... I just a guy who enjoys both cooking and dining... and through 30 years took an interest , a serious interest in not just excellent places... but to seek out extraordinary places...like Michelin 3 stars.

I even among then researched which among them was the best of the best... It took me to places Like in the 80's... Jamin with Joel Robshon in Paris which Michelin said at the time was probably the finest of all the 3 star set in the world... with Chef Joel being named by France, and his peers as chef of the century... In America, the French laundry, Uk, the Fat Duck, Tour de Argent, Aubrigine du Ill, Pic, Grand Velfour...

I even took courses at the Culinary Inst of America and Cordon Blu.. to learn in depth about cuisine, technique, and their exacting perfection standards. I learned a LOT... It was because I made it a personal hobby and interest... Not to name drop at parties... For me thats who I did it for. AND...that is what I draw upon when I ponder the meal I just ate...

Also you should know that, I don't require that I have to have these lofty meals.... because I equally enjoy a Chicago style hot dog and good ol'e meatloaf and BBQ burnt ends.

That said, La Reserve was nice food made with care THE PEOPLE were the true treat and made for a wonderful evening,. The portions were excellent and kitchen paid a lot of energy on presentation. Service was fine and the wines were good.... Nothing wrong.... But so were all the other venues on the ship. I wanted to try it, to see how the kitchen energy was going to work... I could not say it was something world class, and memorable .. among the finest... Rather It is a nice, fun experience with nice people with nice food that was fine for any ship any where... but If you go expecting a Michelin 2 or 3 star menu and "experience" you will be left wanting..

That is the basis of my opinion.... Which is remember MY opinion to be taken as gospel truth..an empirical absolute....but only if your ME

No silversweetharts I got enough to eat... thank you