Chops or Portofino?

[Sisa]

Hello All,

 

We are trying to decide which specialty restaurant to go to on our trip on the Explorer of the Seas. Any recommendations?

 

Thanks!

[spammie]

You will get lots of different opinions on this one. We have been to both and definitely prefer Portofino. :)

[John Henry on CC]

Hello All,

 

We are trying to decide which specialty restaurant to go to on our trip on the Explorer of the Seas. Any recommendations?

 

Thanks!

 

That's an easy one.

 

Portofino.

 

There is no Chops on Explorer.

 

:D

[Puffinater]

That's an easy one.

 

Portofino.

 

There is no Chops on Explorer.

 

:D

 

That certainly makes the choice an easy one.

[Sequim88]

On our 12 night TA we set aside three for the specialty restauarants. We tried Porotofino then Chops and went back to Portofino for the third because after having the seafood skewer at Portofino (amazing) had to try a steak there to compare to Chops. Had heard many comments that steak there was as good or better than in Chops. As good for sure but Chops has a defnite "steak ambience" and side dishes geared to the clasic steakhouse theme. More choice of steak cut in Chops but wider variety (and more pasta options) at Portofino. Service was similar (excellent) at both. But for us the winner over all was the seafood skewer at Portofino.

[maitaiguy]

When cruising on a ship with multiple specialty restaurants I feel that it's worthwhile to try each of them and make a personal decision for the future. Really the upcharge isn't significant enough to try to make me make a choice between one or the other.

 

Another reason it was easy to do both on our Mariner cruise is that there were two nights the MDR menus did not have much to offer IMO. (Oh, and thanks to the CCers that posted those menus!!!!!!)

 

Isn't it great the information we can share on this board when not arguing about smuggling?:rolleyes:

 

We loved Chops and Portofino. Mrs. Maitaiguy liked Chops better and I preferred Portofino. However, next cruise we would happily do both again!:D

 

Service was great in both, but I know the older Voyager class ships only have Portofino.

 

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your cruise!

 

BTW, Johnny Rockets was pretty empty and very delicious for lunch. We didn't mind the cover charge but thought it was unnecessary comparing the cost of the food we would eat for free in the WJ. I have read here on CC that JR was very busy before the cover charge was in place.

[jking917]

On our last cruise on Mariner we went to Chops and Portifino. IMHO I preferred Chops. The steaks were so tender and so flavorful. The other reason I preferred it was the staff!! They were more friendly and we ended up having 4 other waiters at our tables talking to all of us (there were 4 of us). We were all telling jokes and even some of the other cruisers were joining all of us. The service of course was outstanding. Since these are 2 very different types of food this is a personal choice, steak house or Italian?? If you can, try both the money is very well worth it for both places.

[Nanaimobound]

Haven't done it yet, but we are reserved for both!:D

[Gilgo Surfer]

I guess I will have to try both on the Jewel. I went to Portofino on the Explorer and I thought it was great.

[BRMAN]

I have eaten at both, I think I perfer Partifinos. You really cannot go wrong with either.

[PattyG12]

So since there is no Chops on the Explorer I guess you'll have to go to Portofino twice!!:D

[Jimnbigd]

You can order the Chop's filet steak in the MDR, for around $15. Side items are still the usual MDR stuff.

[kandemom]

Both are fantastic buuuuuut my Dh and I really like Portofinos:D