Menus on Explorer

[eliana]

Am I alone in getting fed up with the menus in all the restaurants on the Explorer? We have sailed many times on her and the menus need to change. 

Edited February 13, 2020 by eliana

[Travelcat2]

We have spent quite a bit of time on Explorer and have yet to become bored with the menu’s.  Sometimes we don’t even bother with some of the specialty restaurants because CR has so many wonderful options.  Try ordering different things - it may help.

[boblerm]

eliana, not only am I not tired of the menus, there are many items that I have not even tried yet.  I agree with Jackie, I could eat in CR alone and not tire of it.🙂

[GrJ Berkshire]

57 minutes ago, boblerm said:

eliana, not only am I not tired of the menus, there are many items that I have not even tried yet.  I agree with Jackie, I could eat in CR alone and not tire of it.🙂

Agree, with the specials and the always available, I don't know what else could be on the menu!!

Had 22 days on last cruise, never repeated a meal. CR is often better than some specialist restaurants , I would want to see improvements in Chartreuse first, we have been disappointed in its menu, we don't eat foie gras for ethical reasons.

[Silver Sweethearts]

6 hours ago, eliana said:

Am I alone in getting fed up with the menus in all the restaurants on the Explorer? We have sailed many times on her and the menus need to change. 

 

We are curious as to what you would like to see on the menus?

[eliana]

On 2/14/2020 at 2:13 AM, Silver Sweethearts said:

 

We are curious as to what you would like to see on the menus?

Different dishes. The menus in the speciality restaurants have remained the same for what seems like years.

Edited February 15, 2020 by eliana

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

We are quite satisfied with the menus in CR as well as the specialty restaurants. The selections in CR are extensive and delicious. 
We sail on Regent 2-3 times a year and look forward to our favorites. I can’t think of anything we would like to add. 
The TS mentions “different”. Please explain. Also remember, with a 24/ hour notice, the chefs will prepare Indian food and other dishes, if items are onboard. 
sheila

[wishIweretravelling]

I would be quite unhappy if the miso black cod ever disappeared from the PR menu.

[Travelcat2]

9 hours ago, eliana said:

Different dishes. The menus in the speciality restaurants have remained the same for what seems like years.

 

Could you be more specific?  The menu's are not really that old (by cruise ship standards)*.  Since there are many choices on the CR menu, plus "specials" that change daily and you can order almost anything that Regent has ingredients for 24 hours in advance, I truly do not know what else they could do.

 

We sailed on Crystal a few months ago and would have given anything to have the Regent menu offerings (with one exception -- they have Australian Way steak that is to die for ........ but the rest of the menu's were not as impressive nor was the food as good as on Regent).  I know that food is very subjective but I really have no idea what specific items could be added to Regent's menus.

 

wishIweretravellin - agree with you.  Unfortunately, PR is only on Explorer and Splendor so there are quite a few passengers that have not tried it.  In my opinion, it is better than the Miso Glazed Sea Bass in CR.

 

If I remember correctly, the Chartreuse menu was launched after Explorer was launched so that is approximately 3 1/2 years ago.  I believe that the CR menu was also changed around that time.  P7 hasn't changed much but they are a steak house and they have what I feel is a good selection.  

 

 

 

 

[ronrick1943]

Have to agree, we enjoy the food-so many choices in each.  The only change I would is Chartreuse, they could add a few specials off the day, but I do enjoy the food in Chartreuse.  

[eliana]

In reply to Travelcat and Ronrick. On reflection, I suppose it is only the speciality restaurants, excluding Prime, that I find the menus need changing. We have had all the dishes that we think we would like from their current menus and would like a change. I should point out that we cruise on Regent at least twice a year. Variety is the spice of life, but stick to the cruise line you like.

[boblerm]

eliana, point well taken, it would be nice to see some variety from time to time. The problem is that if a change means adding something new and removing something presently available, someone will be upset about their favorite dish going by the wayside.

 

Personally, I like ronrick's idea of keeping the menus but offering a daily special or 2 that can rotate.

[UUNetBill]

On 2/15/2020 at 10:10 AM, eliana said:

Different dishes. The menus in the speciality restaurants have remained the same for what seems like years.

Well, you must either A) cruise way more often that we do, or B) cruise way longer than  we do.

 

We tend to do one (sometimes two) 10-14 day cruises a year and have yet to get bored with the menu.  But we also mix it up with nights in Sette Mari, room service (rarely), Pool Grill, and spaced out specialty restaurant nights.  I can always find something new on the CR menu to pique my interest (and my taste buds).

[slidebite]

I love the "everyday" menu in CR with the other part that is changed up regularily. I always look with anticipation what is new that day, but if it's not too my liking there are several things on the everyday menu which I love which are stand-bys and never disappoint... egg & Truffle, filet mignon with Madeira-Truffle sauce (I want that recipe!),  maybe a throw in some shrimp or a lobster tail if I'm extra ravenous or worked out for an hour before hand LOL!

 

I can't wait for April 3 to arrive now!

 

[orvil]

I know people don't go on cruises to have Spaghetti Bolognese.  Explorer's version is outstanding.  DH lives a gluten free lifestyle with a tomato allergy.  That really limits my exposure to tomato based pasta dishes.  I had it twice.  Don't wear white.

 

In Compass Rose the order anything combination menu every night with sauces and side dishes allows you to create your own culinary universe.  If you find the menu unimaginative, you should expand your horizons and try something new and strange to you.  The off menu Indian dishes are a perfect example.  They are outstanding.  

[wcsdkqh]

Perhaps Eliana should try Cheesecake Factory.  Perhaps their voluminous menu would be more to her liking.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Again, unless Elaina specifically explains what she would add or change, the conversation is done. 
So many of us, who cruise at least 2-3 times each year on 10-20 day cruises,  look forward to our dining venues. It’s almost as important as anything else on a Regent cruise. Especially on Explorer and now Splendor. 
I see everyone else agrees. 
sheila

[UUNetBill]

4 hours ago, orvil said:

I know people don't go on cruises to have Spaghetti Bolognese.  Explorer's version is outstanding.  DH lives a gluten free lifestyle with a tomato allergy.  That really limits my exposure to tomato based pasta dishes.  I had it twice.  Don't wear white.

 

In Compass Rose the order anything combination menu every night with sauces and side dishes allows you to create your own culinary universe.  If you find the menu unimaginative, you should expand your horizons and try something new and strange to you.  The off menu Indian dishes are a perfect example.  They are outstanding.  

We try to set up an Indian meal at least once a cruise, and we usually invite friends to dine with us.  Last cruise we did Indian one night and then a Philippine feast a few nights later.  Superb!!!

 

Give them 24 hours' notice and if they have the fixins' they'll set you up...

[slidebite]

Oh that would be interesting to try. I imagine some of the Chefs would enjoy flexing their culinary muscle with their own local cuisine. I know the kitchen will make most things with notice, but I never thought of an entire ethnic meal. Interesting idea!

Edited February 20, 2020 by slidebite

[Travelcat2]

On 2/19/2020 at 10:50 AM, UUNetBill said:

We try to set up an Indian meal at least once a cruise, and we usually invite friends to dine with us.  Last cruise we did Indian one night and then a Philippine feast a few nights later.  Superb!!!

 

Give them 24 hours' notice and if they have the fixins' they'll set you up...

 

I'll remember that when we go to Japan.  Perhaps they will prepare a Japanese meal for us (minus jelly fish, fish eyes, etc.).  If you like I can put them aside so can eat them🦞

[wishIweretravelling]

I've found that if you want to special order food specific to a particular culture, stick with cultures that are well-represented among the crew. Someone in the galley knows how to cook for them. On Regent, I've had superb Filipino and Indian dinners. I'm not sure how well they'd do with Japanese. And their TexMex buffets are pretty much inedible.

 

Interestingly, we tried a Filipino meal on Crystal, which has very few Filipino crew members. It was awful. Yet the food on Crystal overall (and particularly in the specialty restaurants) is generally excellent.

[orvil]

As a person with a formal culinary education, let me state that most of the hard-working people in the galley are taught to make only the dishes designed by the corporate office.  Their ability to deviate and produce cuisines that are unfamiliar to them is limited.  How do you know how it's supposed to taste if you have never tasted it?

This explains why the Mexican food is so bad.  You are more likely to get a great curry than a great salsa.  I've had some amazing Indian food on aboard.  If you want to deviate, ask some questions of the head chef as to the ethnic background of the cooks.  Then, let them go wild with foods from their home county.  They will do some great things for you. 

 

 

[UUNetBill]

On 2/21/2020 at 10:39 AM, orvil said:

As a person with a formal culinary education, let me state that most of the hard-working people in the galley are taught to make only the dishes designed by the corporate office.  Their ability to deviate and produce cuisines that are unfamiliar to them is limited.  How do you know how it's supposed to taste if you have never tasted it?

This explains why the Mexican food is so bad.  You are more likely to get a great curry than a great salsa.  I've had some amazing Indian food on aboard.  If you want to deviate, ask some questions of the head chef as to the ethnic background of the cooks.  Then, let them go wild with foods from their home county.  They will do some great things for you. 

Yeah, this.  Indian and Philippine are usually safe bets.  Mexican is - I'm trying to be polite here - not so much.