Riviera Live! March 8 from a food lover and O newbie

[SummerStar57]

Thanks so much for the copy of the daily schedule!
it seems that there are a lot of spa sales pitches, but I’m not seeing any info on fitness classes. Anyone know the skinny on that?

The food looks gorgeous and there has to be a way to offset it 😂

[jondfk]

Thanks from me too, we're new to O sailing Regatta in a few weeks time.  The perspective of a first timer is invaluable.  No amount of information is too much.  Keep it up!

 

 

[KellyCz]

3 hours ago, cswhistler said:

Next time in Polo try the lobster bisque it is fabulous and if you wish they add a few drops of cognac. 

I haven't had the it on Riviera, but the lobster bisque was so amazing on Nautica that I had it three times!

[quick kick]

Have the Culinary classes resumed?

[ToxM]

2 hours ago, SummerStar57 said:

Thanks so much for the copy of the daily schedule!
it seems that there are a lot of spa sales pitches, but I’m not seeing any info on fitness classes. Anyone know the skinny on that?

The food looks gorgeous and there has to be a way to offset it 😂

the exercise schedule used to be on a different sheet so as not to scare those (me included) who did not want to think about such abomination during a holiday 😉

[kjbacon]

2 hours ago, KellyCz said:

I haven't had the it on Riviera, but the lobster bisque was so amazing on Nautica that I had it three times!

I can’t wait to try this lobster bisque! We had an absolutely fantastic soup for lunch today.

 

 

We shared several tasting size plates and most dishes were very good. Cabbage salad, manchego cheese toast, and white bean feta salad.

 

Caesar salad, which was crispy fresh and delicious. Decadent dressing!

Trio of Indian veggie fritters with yogurt mint sauce, very good.

 

Seafood stir fry, not the best.

 

Very excited to have La Reserve tonight!

[kjbacon]

2 hours ago, SummerStar57 said:

Thanks so much for the copy of the daily schedule!
it seems that there are a lot of spa sales pitches, but I’m not seeing any info on fitness classes. Anyone know the skinny on that?

The food looks gorgeous and there has to be a way to offset it 😂

The fitness center is very nice. And here’s the classes:

 

[SummerStar57]

Nice. Thanks🤩

[Maverick Cruiser]

Next time when you are in Polo, the BLT salad is outstanding.  We prefer it without cheese but we love the dressing!!!!

[Maverick Cruiser]

Enjoy dinner tonight!   We love LaReserve.  We will love seeing the pictures because we have 8 months to wait!!!!  We have done all the menus in there but we enjoy the food and service we don’t mind repeating.  

[Maverick Cruiser]

Do you still need the Covid tests?  I suffer from severe allergies and because of those I can get nose bleeds so it worries me to always have to have a Covid test and I’m wondering if there’s any talk about how long it’s still going to go on. Thank you for any information you can give.

[basor]

1 hour ago, Maverick Cruiser said:

Do you still need the Covid tests?  I suffer from severe allergies and because of those I can get nose bleeds so it worries me to always have to have a Covid test and I’m wondering if there’s any talk about how long it’s still going to go on. Thank you for any information you can give.

The countries/ports that you visit determine if you need a COVID test......

[pinotlover]

I always find it ridiculous to have to ask for anchovies on our Ceasar salad. Much like having asking for cheese on a cheese burger or garlic on shrimp scampi . Or, maybe as silly as asking for a Ceasar salad with out the romaine. Those not wanting anchovies should have to ask for the salad without a prime ingredient, not vise versus.

[ronrick1943]

I really enjoy the postings for this cruise, what a great and honest report (kjbacon), Thanks so much for taking the time-and giving your true opinion.  Please keep it up.  For us, we loved “O” but the last few cruises (the last one just before C-19) the food wasn’t up to par—-more of a hit our miss.  Most the time good, but no “Best Food at Sea” and are last cruise more poor than good.—I do think the named suites are some of the best at sea.  Wish they could bring the food back to when we started cruising “O”.

[kjbacon]

8 hours ago, pinotlover said:

I always find it ridiculous to have to ask for anchovies on our Ceasar salad. Much like having asking for cheese on a cheese burger or garlic on shrimp scampi . Or, maybe as silly as asking for a Ceasar salad with out the romaine. Those not wanting anchovies should have to ask for the salad without a prime ingredient, not vise versus.

From the buffet, you ask for what you want and since we were sharing, we got the anchovies on the side. We went awol and also got some olives on that side plate. Hope that’s ok.

 

10 hours ago, Maverick Cruiser said:

Do you still need the Covid tests?  I suffer from severe allergies and because of those I can get nose bleeds so it worries me to always have to have a Covid test and I’m wondering if there’s any talk about how long it’s still going to go on. Thank you for any information you can give.

Yes, still needed. You have the option of getting the test 48 hours ahead or pay at the port for their test.

[kjbacon]

Last night was dinner at La Reserve 🧡 with the French menu. This will be a very simple and quick review. 
 

The meal was flawless, perfectly served.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a magical night!! I’m looking forward to the next one.

 

We are supposed to go to St Barts but with these winds and choppy seas, I don’t see how we can tender. Dinner in Red Ginger tonight.

Edited March 11, 2022 by kjbacon

[Eloise4Ever]

I so appreciate you taking the time to do this live review kjbacon, thank you so much. We are boarding Riviera in a week for the transatlantic crossing and your postings are adding to my excitement. We are also doing the French menu in La Reserve and thanks to your photos I can tell it will be amazing.

[kjbacon]

36 minutes ago, Eloise4Ever said:

I so appreciate you taking the time to do this live review kjbacon, thank you so much. We are boarding Riviera in a week for the transatlantic crossing and your postings are adding to my excitement. We are also doing the French menu in La Reserve and thanks to your photos I can tell it will be amazing.

Eloise, it absolutely was amazing. I felt like I was at the super bowl!!!

[beardedshark]

We are also on the transatlantic next week. First time back with O after 4 years having thought the food was slipping. They look to have got themselves back in form and providing “the best cuisine at sea”. 
really enjoying the food reviews including the criticisms, please keep it up👏👏👏👏👏

[kjbacon]

44 minutes ago, beardedshark said:

We are also on the transatlantic next week. First time back with O after 4 years having thought the food was slipping. They look to have got themselves back in form and providing “the best cuisine at sea”. 
really enjoying the food reviews including the criticisms, please keep it up👏👏👏👏👏

As of yesterday, I am now happy to substantiate their claim of “the best cuisine at sea”.

 

so, drum roll please 🥁…

 

Food - O

[jonthomas]

Have never been to La Reserve. What is the charge?

[kjbacon]

26 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

Have never been to La Reserve. What is the charge?

$95 pp and 20% gratuity. In my opinion, a bargain. We have paid far more than that for wine pairing dinners and this was as good or better than some we’ve been to.

[Muckyduckway]

Really enjoying your review.  Our next O cruise is quite some time away but we are now considering including La Reserve in our plans.  Do you know whether there are options for non-meat eaters?  

[clairol]

1 hour ago, kjbacon said:

$95 pp and 20% gratuity. In my opinion, a bargain. We have paid far more than that for wine pairing dinners and this was as good or better than some we’ve been to.

Thank you for this review of your La Reserve experience! Our upcoming October cruise will be our first Le Reserve dinner, although we have enjoyed wine classes and "wine bar" nights there on past trips. We signed up for the Odyssey menu. However, after reading your review, I just added La Cuisine Bourgeoise as well! So... THANK YOU! We can't wait!

[Woofa]

These pics are a great help, thank you.  We take our first cruise on Riviera in January and as we really don't drink much I was not planning on paying the extra for La Riserve but your pictures are making me think twice.  A little pricey if you really won't be getting the wine though.  Might be worth it just for the experience and who knows, maybe we will try some wines and enjoy them.