The Taste Bar

[Rena921]

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!

 

Why yes, that's the only way to get me to book another cruise....bribe me with meat! Lol:p

[Hobbsey]

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!

 

I think the misguided point was it would lead one to book a alternate restaurant with an up charge. If that were the point then the flavor and presentation would be elevated way beyond Walmart - so no point scored there.

 

I too want to know more about the low priced drinks. That is the kind of marketing that might get me booking more often! LOL.

[islandatsea]

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!

 

You guys are too funny :D. Had to laugh at that one !!

 

We are Platinum on both Carnival & Princess and keep coming back to those 2 cruise lines for different reasons, enjoying every cruise. Agreed that a "friggin meatball" won't be the enticement to book another cruise. It is nice that they are doing that anyway.

[evandbob]

Why yes, that's the only way to get me to book another cruise....bribe me with meat! Lol:p

 

or, as another of today's threads suggest, the BJ tournament.

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Would someone be kind enough to comment on the $5 drink at the tasting bars? Is this also a special recipe? Are they good?

 

Thank you for the information.

 

It is in conjunction with the blue iguana cantina project and I believe it is a green margarita. It is only offered for a few hours and was only on one night when I saw it but it is $5 and you have to get it at that specific place. It isn't offered anywhere else. I didn't get one but I did hear from others that it was good. I have no idea if it actually is any good though. Worth a try I guess and I will be trying one on the Breeze in September.

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!

 

People go to see movies because of a 2 minute trailer that they see during the previews of other movies that they are probably seeing because of a trailer they saw a few months prior so yes, just a little taste to preview other offerings elsewhere can work to draw peoples' interest at the very least. If it didn't work the taste bar wouldn't be there. Just saying.

[FlyingCruiserNJ]

Meet me, my name's Bob - I'm a 64 yr old GrandPa who has never eaten a sample offered in a food or grocery supermarket. Those trays are Petri dishes for Noro and other diseases.

 

I did enjoy the sushi bar on the first days of a 7 night cruise. Guess I'll have to see what the taste bar is all about.

 

I honestly rarely hit the free samples either because they are usually things I don't really like, such as cheese and cold cut lunchmeat but once in a while I see something I want to try and go for it. It's how I discovered the wonderful heavenly peach pie that they have at Sam's club LOL. Saw a sample, tried it, was hooked forever afterwards. If they put the samples on individual serving dishes and don't leave stuff sitting out too long, bacteria shouldn't be an issue. Now if I see someone sneezing into the table full of food, I might think twice but otherwise I really don't worry too much. Definitely try the taste bar. It won't be enough to fill you up and ruin dinner or anything but it can be a nice snack.

[Kriskris70]

I love the taste bar! Reminds me of somewhat like a tapas bar if u will, which is meant to be a appetizer or sample where people stand and converse, I find that more on a classier level

[golfadj]

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!

 

And it will want to make you get a balcony. They are so good.

[Anita Latte]

Would someone be kind enough to comment on the $5 drink at the tasting bars? Is this also a special recipe? Are they good?

 

Thank you for the information.

 

According to various internet sources (no personal experience yet!), when the Taste Bar is open, there is a companion themed cocktail offered at $5.

 

"Sample offerings may include:

 

• Roasted pork tacos with green chili salsa and aged cotija cheese, and chicken, avocado, and lime tortilla soup, inspired by the BlueIguana Cantina that debuted on Carnival Liberty, with a refreshing Blue’s Blue Margarita as the accompanying drink.
  
• Nonna’s meatballs and hand-whipped ricotta bruchetta, patterned after the family-style offerings at the Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant introduced on Carnival Magic, with the eatery’s house Chianti served from an oversized barrel on wheels.
  
• Fried malanga (sweet potatoes) filled with ginger-scented pork and lime aioli, and pepper pot soup with cilantro sour cream, similar to what is served at Carnival Magic’s RedFrog Pub, with a Rum Jumper as the suggested beverage.
  
• Grilled ham and provolone cheese melt on buttermilk brioche and cream of tomato soup, from the new Comfort Kitchen option debuting on Carnival Breeze, served with Lynchburg Lemonade.
  
• Short rib croquettes with chipotle aioli and guava and tomato relish, served with pumpkin bisque with sour cream, available with a Manhattan cocktail representing Carnival’s classic American steakhouse.
  

"

 

source: http://cruiseradio.net/menu-the-taste-bar-carnivals-new-complimentary-appetizer-program/

 

There is no mention of the cocktail on Carnival's site that I can find...but there are other reports online regarding it.

[ranchette]

Where is the taste bar on the freedom?

[Cruising Rules]

I guess that would be your opinion!

 

What is it? It's another Carnival cost reduction measure. It used to be sushi every night. Now it's sporadically open to offer items that are often unidentifiable and certainly lower food cost based items. I know how many of you will find this post, "distasteful", but it is what it is.

[evandbob]

Where is the taste bar on the freedom?

 

Sounds like it is the former sushi station on deck 5 aft of the casino. BTW, the stairway "hidden" just before the old sushi bar went down to deck 4 cigar bar and jazz club one way and the computer room the other. If there's a long line of persons waiting for dinner in the aft MDR, it's an easy way to get down the steps and walk through the "cigar bar" and wait outside the MDR.

[cherbear4000]

I love the taste bar. Basically, it is little appetizers inspired by the pay restaurants on the Carnival fleet.

[B and B Rookie Cannucks]

Nice, maybe, but classy? It's a push cart, with food placed on it as a marketing tool. Just because the food taste good, does not change the fact that it is sales pitch on wheels.

 

It has been on at least 3 Carnival ships I have been on and it has NEVER been on wheels LOL. I for one do not see it as any kind of sales pitch and the small samplings are always yummy!:D

[B and B Rookie Cannucks]

Ranchette, it is deck 5 near the stairs that go down to the night club. They always post little plaques stating what it is!

[momof3cruisers]

Now that made me laugh....Publix, an upscale grocery store. Not in my town it isn't. :rolleyes:

Okay, we have a grocery store here called Byerly's. They have carpet, strolling violinists etc. AND they have sample stations. Macy's and Nordstrom in the Mall of America also offer samples from their restaurants or gourmet food sections in their stores

Sales pitch???

 

 

So I am going to book another cruise just because I had a friggin meatball at the taste bar???

 

That's funny!!

 

Hey....I am all about the meatball!! Surely that is worth my $1500!

 

I am excited to try the Taste Bar on the Freedom. I don't like sushi at all so the idea of different little items appeals to me much more than sushi.

[Hobbsey]

According to various internet sources (no personal experience yet!), when the Taste Bar is open, there is a companion themed cocktail offered at $5.

 

"Sample offerings may include:

 

• Roasted pork tacos with green chili salsa and aged cotija cheese, and chicken, avocado, and lime tortilla soup, inspired by the BlueIguana Cantina that debuted on Carnival Liberty, with a refreshing Blue’s Blue Margarita as the accompanying drink.
  
• Nonna’s meatballs and hand-whipped ricotta bruchetta, patterned after the family-style offerings at the Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant introduced on Carnival Magic, with the eatery’s house Chianti served from an oversized barrel on wheels.
  
• Fried malanga (sweet potatoes) filled with ginger-scented pork and lime aioli, and pepper pot soup with cilantro sour cream, similar to what is served at Carnival Magic’s RedFrog Pub, with a Rum Jumper as the suggested beverage.
  
• Grilled ham and provolone cheese melt on buttermilk brioche and cream of tomato soup, from the new Comfort Kitchen option debuting on Carnival Breeze, served with Lynchburg Lemonade.
  
• Short rib croquettes with chipotle aioli and guava and tomato relish, served with pumpkin bisque with sour cream, available with a Manhattan cocktail representing Carnival’s classic American steakhouse.
  

"

 

source: http://cruiseradio.net/menu-the-taste-bar-carnivals-new-complimentary-appetizer-program/

 

There is no mention of the cocktail on Carnival's site that I can find...but there are other reports online regarding it.

 

 

Fantastic info. Thx

[Hobbsey]

Does anyone know the hours of operation for the taste bar. I don't want to miss it.

 

Thx

[mousey]

Does anyone know if they have a Taste Bar on the Inspiration out of Long Beach? If so, I'm going to check it out this weekend!:D

[SadieN]

Does anyone know if they have a Taste Bar on the Inspiration out of Long Beach? If so, I'm going to check it out this weekend!:D

 

 

Yes it does. See post #41

[cherbear4000]

Does anyone know the hours of operation for the taste bar. I don't want to miss it.

 

Thx

 

The exact times are listed in the Fun Times but it is before dinner starting round 5:30, I think.

[Wilgr]

Okay, we have a grocery store here called Byerly's. They have carpet, strolling violinists etc. AND they have sample stations. Macy's and Nordstrom in the Mall of America also offer samples from their restaurants or gourmet food sections in their stores

 

 

Hey....I am all about the meatball!! Surely that is worth my $1500!

 

I am excited to try the Taste Bar on the Freedom. I don't like sushi at all so the idea of different little items appeals to me much more than sushi.

 

Those sound like some pretty fancy stores. I wonder why there was a comparison between Walmart and a sample station.

 

Oh yea, that guys a tool.

[ChaplainPagne]

Just so I'm clear.. the Taste Bar offers food from restaurants found on ALL carnival ships, not just the ship you're on? So on my upcoming Liberty cruise, I'll be able to taste something from Cucina del Capitano or Blue Iguana Cantina, even though none of those restaurants are on board?

:)

 

Just a point of clarification - I am pretty sure that the Liberty has a Blue Iguana Cantina - we sail in October and I read it on the Carnival website. We will definitely be trying out the Taste Bar!

[shipty2]

At dinner the taste bar serves the samples mentioned but at lunch time on the Breeze they have three kinds of soup, salad and wraps. It was an awesome place for a healthier lunch option without having to wait in line.

 

We loved the samples too.