PG @ $29. Tamarind @ $20. Canaletto same

[cruz chic]

Why do I think the food-sharing concept will end during the first code red.

 

One can only hope ;).

[sherilyn70]

I thought it looked great. Just because it's different doesn't mean it won't be good. The menu top suggests you order the mentioned numbers for 2 people. It isn't mandatory you order that amount. Doesn't anyone else go to a tapas place where you have many small tasting plates to share? I'm fine with it.

 

Yes we enjoy tapas and sharing small plates at the restaurants we go to. If the portions are too large and a lot of food goes to waste I'm sure they'll reduce the size. We'll most likely order three starters since we enjoy the variety.

 

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

Edited December 29, 2013 by sherilyn70

[Thebes]

Why do I think the food-sharing concept will end during the first code red.

 

And the " community plates" will fall on the ground.

[sail7seas]

And the " community plates" will fall on the ground.

 

 

:confused: Huh?

 

[TheEmerson]

The idea of eating Family Style for the Main or other courses is normal in many Italian restaurants. Since this is HAL's interpretation of Italian it fits what is acceptable.

 

If the concept that families eat as family from the same platters is so unrecognizable to some then that is their issue not HAL's. Then do not eat at that location. Simple as that.

[cruz chic]

The idea of eating Family Style for the Main or other courses is normal in many Italian restaurants. Since this is HAL's interpretation of Italian it fits what is acceptable.

 

If the concept that families eat as family from the same platters is so unrecognizable to some then that is their issue not HAL's. Then do not eat at that location. Simple as that.

 

You are correct. I will skip it. IMO, Hal should not be trying to alienate their pax with choices they make. It's only hurting their bottom line and keeps money in my pocket. Works for me.

[sail7seas]

The idea of eating Family Style for the Main or other courses is normal in many Italian restaurants. Since this is HAL's interpretation of Italian it fits what is acceptable.

 

If the concept that families eat as family from the same platters is so unrecognizable to some then that is their issue not HAL's. Then do not eat at that location. Simple as that.

 

 

That assumes that every grouping of people at a table are family.

It often can be people met that afternoon at the pool or on an excursion and chose to dine together but they are virtually 'strangers'.

 

[TheEmerson]

That assumes that every grouping of people at a table are family.

It often can be people met that afternoon at the pool or on an excursion and chose to dine together but they are virtually 'strangers'.

 

 

 

 

And that prevents people to sit down together and find common ground of breaking bread together and to share the same food? That is basis of many societies and social interactions.

 

I personally have zero issues sharing a meal with someone I meet five minutes earlier. It creates a common shared experience that other experiences can be built from.

[TheEmerson]

Thinking that may sound harsh. That is not my direct intent.

 

Giving it a few minutes thought it occurred to me. What is different between people sitting down taking food from the same platter on a table from other things. From sharing a pizza out of a cardboard box. From a protein in a chafing dish. Coffee out of the same urn. Just because it is on a platter does not change that we all share from strangers and from even people we do not like. If it all comes down to agreeing on what to eat, then compromise and experience something different.

[Typhoon1]

Why do I think the food-sharing concept will end during the first code red.

 

I think you may be right. Those who think it's a good idea are in for a rude awakening.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Why do I think the food-sharing concept will end during the first code red.

 

 

If we can't touch anything during a Code Red -- food sharing would also have to end in the Canaletto -- I do agree with you.

Even in the Lido during the first 48 hours no one can touch anything because of the Code Orange.

[Krazy Kruizers]

And the " community plates" will fall on the ground.

 

 

What makes you think that?

[sherilyn70]

The idea of eating Family Style for the Main or other courses is normal in many Italian restaurants. Since this is HAL's interpretation of Italian it fits what is acceptable..

 

Do I dare say it's like Buca de Beppo's? :) That might offend someone since it's pretty pedestrian food. Everything there has always been served family style. We go there occasionally with family and friends (the food is nothing amazing so we only go when others have suggested it) and never have problems with sharing with people we know or kind of know. Even when my immune system is compromised I would not be afraid of platter style at one table type of eating, it's buffet style I have to avoid because there you cannot see who did what to the food... when it's all at your table you can see everything that happens and the other peoples habits. If it freaks you out to share then politely ask if you can take your portion first. I had to this at a company outing that had a small buffet line setup, I explained my immune system was compromised and that once everyone else had touched the tongs and other serving utensils I wouldn't feel safe and so I went through first before everyone else started (of course being bald probably gave them no reason to question me).

Edited December 29, 2013 by sherilyn70

[cruz chic]

Thinking that may sound harsh. That is not my direct intent.

 

Giving it a few minutes thought it occurred to me. What is different between people sitting down taking food from the same platter on a table from other things. From sharing a pizza out of a cardboard box. From a protein in a chafing dish. Coffee out of the same urn. Just because it is on a platter does not change that we all share from strangers and from even people we do not like. If it all comes down to agreeing on what to eat, then compromise and experience something different.

 

Why should people have to compromise on what they want to eat? That does not make sense. If you think that is ok then so be it. I'm not paying extra for Hsl to tell me what I need to eat.

Edited December 29, 2013 by cruz chic

[Thebes]

What makes you think that?

 

KK - it was my pure imagination in case the ship has an emergency as I thought code red means fire or something similar.

[sail7seas]

Thinking that may sound harsh. That is not my direct intent.

 

Giving it a few minutes thought it occurred to me. What is different between people sitting down taking food from the same platter on a table from other things. From sharing a pizza out of a cardboard box. From a protein in a chafing dish. Coffee out of the same urn. Just because it is on a platter does not change that we all share from strangers and from even people we do not like. If it all comes down to agreeing on what to eat, then compromise and experience something different.

 

 

 

Yes, I do think that was a bit harsh.

 

We can politely agree to disagree about the sharing concept. I find it unwanted and will not be dining there with anyone but my DH IF that. It is likely we will pass on Canaletto. We don't always want to order the same meal so one of us would have to bypass what we wanted to have and agree to share what the other wants. Of course, that is what couples do but that is not my first choice when dining on a cruise on vacation.

 

I would not dine there with people other than my DH.

 

 

 

KK - it was my pure imagination in case the ship has an emergency as I thought code red means fire or something similar.

 

 

 

 

Code Red on HAL ships means there is Noro like virus aboard and there are restrictions and heavy duty cleaning processes in place. There would be no self-service, pools and hot tubs closed, no books permitted to be borrowed from library, gloves given out to be worn in casino, no bread basket on dining tables, salt and pepper in small paper packets with no shakers on the table and a great many other inconveniences and withheld items.

 

It is unpleasant IMO to be on a ship when there is a Code Red outbreak and it is an immense amount of work for crew.

 

Edited December 29, 2013 by sail7seas

[Thebes]

Thanks for explaining S7S. Now I know what Mariner meant by code red. What would be the code in case of fire or mechanical failure ? Hoping that will never happen of course.

[sail7seas]

Thanks for explaining S7S. Now I know what Mariner meant by code red. What would be the code in case of fire or mechanical failure ? Hoping that will never happen of course.

 

 

I don't know but I would guess "FIRE" would be announced to those who needed to know.

 

[Thebes]

I would also add my vote to S7S and Cruz chic. I will Only eat there with my DW. Or at least a relative from our family. Cruz chic has a point , why pay more $ to be forced into a strict system like that ? Let's face it, a HAL ship is not Italy. If I'm in Italy , I will do what Italians do if I have to.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Thebes

[sail7seas]

I would also add my vote to S7S and Cruz chic. I will Only eat there with my DW. Or at least a relative from our family. Cruz chic has a point , why pay more $ to be forced into a strict system like that ? Let's face it, a HAL ship is not Italy. If I'm in Italy , I will do what Italians do if I have to.

 

 

We have traveled extensively in Italy and the only 'sharing' of food was from the trolley when selecting antipasti and it was served by the waiter. They wheeled a multi shelved trolley to each table and we slected what we wanted. Much like Canaletto used to do with the big round tray the steward would serve from at each table. :rolleyes:

 

[Hlitner]

Just want to comment on Canaletto. The concept of "sharing" or "family" style is not uncommon in Italy and one of the most popular restaurants in Florence, Italy...Il Latini, is known for its sharing at communal-type tables. At that restaurant the only item you do not share is your main course while everything else is served on large platters shared among strangers. People line-up (queue for my Brit friends) for sometimes more then an hour to get into this particular restaurant. So, if HAL decides to go that route with Canoletto (which has a menu that we have always found underwhelming) then we give them some credit for following Celebrity's lead and doing something a bit innovative on a cruise ship. On the popular Solstice Class Celebrity ships they have an alternative restaurant called Qsine ($40 per person) which is essentially a high-end tapas place with tables enjoying lots of "shared" plates of various items.

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

Just want to comment on Canaletto. The concept of "sharing" or "family" style is not uncommon in Italy and one of the most popular restaurants in Florence, Italy...Il Latini, is known for its sharing at communal-type tables. At that restaurant the only item you do not share is your main course while everything else is served on large platters shared among strangers. People line-up (queue for my Brit friends) for sometimes more then an hour to get into this particular restaurant. So, if HAL decides to go that route with Canoletto (which has a menu that we have always found underwhelming) then we give them some credit for following Celebrity's lead and doing something a bit innovative on a cruise ship. On the popular Solstice Class Celebrity ships they have an alternative restaurant called Qsine ($40 per person) which is essentially a high-end tapas place with tables enjoying lots of "shared" plates of various items.

 

Hank

 

 

 

As HAL is trying this new (to them) concept, it sounds like their version needs a bit of fine tuning.

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2013 by sail7seas

[Thebes]

:D Nope, Not us. :)

All our dining in Florence, we always had our own table and all our food was served by waiters and we surely did eat very, very well.

 

As HAL is trying this new (to them) concept, it sounds like their version needs a bit of fine tuning.

 

 

 

 

I agree S7S. I had the same experience in Milan. I think the authentic Italian concept of communal dining has been skewed a bit by HAL in order to fit HAL's agenda of sort. Not sure if it is saving $ or what ?

Edited December 29, 2013 by Thebes

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just want to comment on Canaletto. The concept of "sharing" or "family" style is not uncommon in Italy and one of the most popular restaurants in Florence, Italy...Il Latini, is known for its sharing at communal-type tables. At that restaurant the only item you do not share is your main course while everything else is served on large platters shared among strangers. People line-up (queue for my Brit friends) for sometimes more then an hour to get into this particular restaurant. So, if HAL decides to go that route with Canoletto (which has a menu that we have always found underwhelming) then we give them some credit for following Celebrity's lead and doing something a bit innovative on a cruise ship. On the popular Solstice Class Celebrity ships they have an alternative restaurant called Qsine ($40 per person) which is essentially a high-end tapas place with tables enjoying lots of "shared" plates of various items.

 

Hank

 

 

We have been to several Italian cities, including Florence, and we always got a table for 2 with personal service. We were never asked to share a table with anyone.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Why should people have to compromise on what they want to eat? That does not make sense. If you think that is ok then so be it. I'm not paying extra for Hsl to tell me what I need to eat.

 

 

I agree with you -- HAL is not going to me what I need to eat.

DH and I have different tastes and many times I have to have special meals made for me -- and I don't see the Canaletto doing that.

With the old menu, I was able to get what I knew would work for me and DH could order all the spicy good he wanted.