Shrimp Scampi at Polo

[eddmel]

We will be on the Riviera, looking at the menu for Polo Grill. If you have had the shrimp scampi would you recommend it? What are the vegetables like?

[bitob]

You can order it and send it back and get something else if you don't like it. Not everybody likes the same thing. I might think it's just ok, someone else thinks it great, another thinks it's awful

 

Vegetables are vegetables. I think they are fine. If you don't like how they are cooked you can ask for them to be cooked a different wAy.

 

The specialty restaurants vary on every ship on every cruise. You just need to order and decide

 

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Edited September 10, 2016 by bitob

[Noxequifans]

I usually find most CC postings interesting and sometimes helpful. Advising the OP that they could send a meal back doesn't seem terribly helpful. Just my opinion.

[pinotlover]

LOL, this reminds me of an O cruise a couple of years ago.

 

The Lady said " I would like the scrimp scampi without the garlic.

 

The waiter replied " Ok, shrimp just sautéed in the olive oil" with herbs.

 

The Lady replied " NO, shrimp scampi without the garlic!"

 

The waiter just looked at her and said "OK, got it, and turn away grinning and shaking his head!

 

 

What different people like and claim in a dish varies a lot. Reminds me of a Viking river cruise where the main entrée was Beef Wellington. They served a grilled steak (sirloin, I think) with an oversized bread crumb on top of it and called it Beef Wellington. No pate, no spices, just the beef and the bread swirl. When I asked the waiter where the pate was, he said that recipe was their rendition of Beef Wellington, no pate! :eek: Some people claimed it was the best BW they had ever had! :rolleyes: I found it to be a relatively tough sirloin steak!

[bitob]

I usually find most CC postings interesting and sometimes helpful. Advising the OP that they could send a meal back doesn't seem terribly helpful. Just my opinion.

 

 

How does one answer the question?

One person' s opinion about a dish on one night on a single cruise is truly meaningless

 

The best advice is to order things you think you might like and know you are not stuck with it

 

I cannot tell you how many people have told me they had the best veal chop/worst veal chop ever in Polo/Toscana

 

There are no right answers

Only the op can decide if a dish is good and only on a particular night on a specific sailing

That is the reality of Oceania imo

 

 

 

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[bitob]

LOL, this reminds me of an O cruise a couple of years ago.

 

 

 

The Lady said " I would like the scrimp scampi without the garlic.

 

 

 

The waiter replied " Ok, shrimp just sautéed in the olive oil" with herbs.

 

 

 

The Lady replied " NO, shrimp scampi without the garlic!"

 

 

 

The waiter just looked at her and said "OK, got it, and turn away grinning and shaking his head!

 

 

 

 

 

What different people like and claim in a dish varies a lot. Reminds me of a Viking river cruise where the main entrée was Beef Wellington. They served a grilled steak (sirloin, I think) with an oversized bread crumb on top of it and called it Beef Wellington. No pate, no spices, just the beef and the bread swirl. When I asked the waiter where the pate was, he said that recipe was their rendition of Beef Wellington, no pate! :eek: Some people claimed it was the best BW they had ever had! :rolleyes: I found it to be a relatively tough sirloin steak!

 

 

My point exactly.

 

 

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[Noxequifans]

Many of the subjects on this board seek cruisers' opinions ...Oceania air, various rooms/suites, travel insurance, etc. as well as food. People ask questions about the food on Oceania all the time on this board.

 

The OP is seeking opinions regarding a menu item ... I fail to see how this is different from many of the other subjects. Posted opinions always reflect individual preferences and experience. On this particular question I don't eat seafood and can't offer a response. Perhaps cruisers who have ordered that item can share their experience.

[bitob]

Because as 100s of posters have stated food is perhaps the most subjective issue of any cruise and it varies from cruise to cruise. That's why it is different from other subjects.

 

 

 

 

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[PaulMCO]

Our opinion is that O overcooks their veggies. The asparagus is limp and tasteless. In polo my DW asked the waiter to have the chef give her raw asparagus and just warm them. Cooked perfectly...

[bitob]

Our opinion is that O overcooks their veggies. The asparagus is limp and tasteless. In polo my DW asked the waiter to have the chef give her raw asparagus and just warm them. Cooked perfectly...

 

 

My experience is different. I have not found them to be overcooked at all

 

 

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Edited September 10, 2016 by bitob

[smilin jack]

We ate with someone on our last cruise that declared that the Chilean Sea Bass was not Chilean Sea Bass...I said that I thought it was, and told her that Chilean Sea Bass was just a marketing gimmick....Actually Chilean Sea Bass is a Patagonian toothfish.

I don't think she believed me!

[ccbee]

I agree with Noexequifans. The OP was just asking for opinions. I think most of us are smart enough to weigh thru the opinions offered and come to some conclusion that may be helpful. I know I rate the opinions given on how the person has responded to other questions in the past, if he/she always has an opinion even though at times it is obviously incorrect, whether he/she actually answers a question with facts rather than just an opinion, whether his/her answers always seem biased or the result of 'an axe to grind', whether he/she often answers questions 'snarkily'.

 

This is how I handle reviews on the internet in general for products and services and when I have decided to buy the product or use the service I usually was not disappointed.

 

Reading responses that criticize a poster's question make me, and I'm sure other new posters hesitant to ask questions. It seems it would be better if such responders just ignored the question and didn't respond.

 

These boards are a wealth of information and I thank everyone for taking part. I know it must get frustrating for the 'old-timers' to keep answering the same questions but it is much appreciated by us 'new-comers' who have so much to learn.

[Pet Nit Noy]

We will be on the Riviera, looking at the menu for Polo Grill. If you have had the shrimp scampi would you recommend it? What are the vegetables like?

 

The way you've phrased the question about vegetables suggests you have very specific preferences. Barely cooked? Cooked until super soft? No salt? Liberally floating in butter? Whatever. Simply inform your waiter how you'd like them prepared when you place your order.

 

Oceania tries to meet expectations even in meals served in the GDR, but, particularly, in the specialty restaurants.

[Pet Nit Noy]

Many of the subjects on this board seek cruisers' opinions ...Oceania air, various rooms/suites, travel insurance, etc. as well as food. People ask questions about the food on Oceania all the time on this board.

 

I can reply to a question about Oceania air by talking about the cost, the routing, especially the number of change of planes. I can reply to a question about a room/suite by mentioning its position relative to to the pool, to the middle of the ship, to the elevators, etc. I can mention specific facts that let someone calibrate my reply. In contrast, my opinion about the food on Oceania is so personal as to be worthless; there are no facts I can provide that puts an opinion about food in the same category as an opinion about the other topics you mention. Besides, bring a different chef on board for your cruise VS my cruise and that makes my answer even more irrelevant.

 

I find the reply that cruisers can order something else to be very reassuring. Since cruisers can order something else with no pushback, there's no pressure about making the right choice or taking a risk with an unfamiliar dish. That's wonderfully reassuring to cruisers new to Oceania.

 

Oceania's overall quality of food -- quality of ingredients, recipes, and the kitchen's ability to execute those recipes -- is generally high. If I have one criticism, it's that Oceania's ethnic cuisine isn't particularly authentic. The food may be pleasant enough, but it isn't actually (insert name of ethnic dish here). That's as much as I can meaningfully contribute.

Edited September 10, 2016 by Pet Nit Noy

[bitob]

We clearly see eye to eye on this

 

The Mexican food is by far the worst--and that is consistent on every cruise

 

 

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[blambition]

I actually like to see people's opinions about a particular food item, but I still keep in mind that is only their opinion. I have seen several references to the lobster bisque not being the best, however I would probably still order it. It happens to be one of my favorite soups, and if I do not enjoy it, I will only have a little, and that will be that. Overall I have heard nothing but rave reviews for the food on Oceania! After cruising many, many other cruise lines, we actually booked this next cruise partly to enjoy the food. We are looking forward to the quality of food, the quietness of the ship, and certainly the chance to meet the other passengers. We have never attended a show in many many years, so the entertainment is not a high priority for us. Although I do enjoy some gambling I might get to save some money on this ship, since I understand the casino is not exactly a hotspot. Looking forward to having a relaxing trip!

I agree that all of us that are new to this cruise line really enjoy comments that are in response to questions asked. I have tried to search different subjects and find that it is very difficult to get answers using the search engine. So for all of you that take your time to answer our questions know that it is very appreciated!

 

 

 

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Edited September 10, 2016 by blambition

[buggins0402]

I actually like to see people's opinions about a particular food item, but I still keep in mind that is only their opinion. I have seen several references to the lobster bisque not being the best, however I would probably still order it. It happens to be one of my favorite soups, and if I do not enjoy it, I will only have a little, and that will be that. Overall I have heard nothing but rave reviews for the food on Oceania! After cruising many, many other cruise lines, we actually booked this next cruise partly to enjoy the food. We are looking forward to the quality of food, the quietness of the ship, and certainly the chance to meet the other passengers. We have never attended a show in many many years, so the entertainment is not a high priority for us. Although I do enjoy some gambling I might get to save some money on this ship, since I understand the casino is not exactly a hotspot. Looking forward to having a relaxing trip!

I agree that all of us that are new to this cruise line really enjoy comments that are in response to questions asked. I have tried to search different subjects and find that it is very difficult to get answers using the search engine. So for all of you that take your time to answer our questions know that it is very appreciated!

 

 

 

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From your list of priorities, it appears you did a good job of researching before booking.

Edited September 10, 2016 by buggins0402

[Meldrum]

To answer the OP's question: it is a boring dish. Just some shrimps with a slightly spicy sauce if I remember correctly. The presentation was also very simple. Didn't ask it again altough I really like shrimps, scampi and lobster. In Terrace you can order grilled shrimps with butter sauce and you can combine it with fish or lobster tail.

 

 

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[san diego spartan]

To answer the OP's question: it is a boring dish. Just some shrimps with a slightly spicy sauce if I remember correctly. The presentation was also very simple. Didn't ask it again altough I really like shrimps, scampi and lobster. In Terrace you can order grilled shrimps with butter sauce and you can combine it with fish or lobster tail.

 

 

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Medlrum - grilled shrimp sounds good - is the fish or lobster tail also grilled in Terrace? (sorry not meaning to hijack the OP's thread)

[Meldrum]

Medlrum - grilled shrimp sounds good - is the fish or lobster tail also grilled in Terrace? (sorry not meaning to hijack the OP's thread)

 

Yes, it's all available at the grill station. If you want, you can order your personal surf-and-turf. It's simple as well, but very tasty!

[corpkid]

I liked the scampi. I didn't think it was the *best* I've ever had, but still enjoyed it. Had the right amount of garlic I thought and the shrimp was cooked perfectly. I love O because I never feel bad if I don't like something (which is very rare) - especially in the specialty restaurants. They usually will notice and ask if you want something else (or you can just ask). Nary an eyelash will be batted. You paid a LOT of money and they know that. :)

[floridatravelersforlife]

Just go for the scampi, if you don't like it order the lobster and be done with it . We had lobster three times and it was well prepared, better than all the lines we have travelled.