(Not quite live) from Iona - G318 - Fjords - 10th June

[terrierjohn]

3 hours ago, JeanieC,Aston said:

In Gods Country west side of the Pennines they are Tater Cakes.

Living in West Yorkshire we prefer to have our fried potatoes as chips, which is why I wrongly assumed that Hull pattieslappers, working in a fish factory, would put fish into their patties, athough I have begun to enjoy P&O hash browns now that the golden triangles are no longer available.

However thinking of potato delicacies my Mum used to make delicious onion fritters, which were  onion rings between 2 slices of potato, dipped in batter and deep fried, now those were something to get excited about.

[JeanieC,Aston]

21 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

Living in West Yorkshire we prefer to have our fried potatoes as chips, which is why I wrongly assumed that Hull pattieslappers, working in a fish factory, would put fish into their patties, athough I have begun to enjoy P&O hash browns now that the golden triangles are no longer available.

However thinking of potato delicacies my Mum used to make delicious onion fritters, which were  onion rings between 2 slices of potato, dipped in batter and deep fried, now those were something to get excited about.

Not the same but I love Boulangère potatoes.

[kalos]

42 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

However thinking of potato delicacies my Mum used to make delicious onion fritters, which were  onion rings between 2 slices of potato, dipped in batter and deep fried, now those were something to get excited about.

Now your taking me back to our chippy when I was young .

Yorkshire fish cake  =    2 slices of potato with cod/haddock sandwiched between ,dipped

and the cooked in batter ... Lovely 

[Selbourne]

4 hours ago, TigerB said:

Epicurean Norwegian Tasting Menu - 14th June

 

Selbourne, I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer my preceding diatribe to get to what you really desire, the full gen on the tasting menu.😉

 

Before I start, I want to get something off my chest...

I think most folk will agree with me, some though may feel I am being a little prudish, but I really don’t care; I say it how it is, and this is how it is...

Whatever night it is, motif and band t-shirts have no place in the Epicurean.  Ironically, the two lasses with these two guys were really well dressed.  The two blokes, in my opinion, were just poseurs, showing off their guns!

Rant over!

 

 

Back to the main event...

 

I think I’ve let it known once or twice previously that we really wanted to try this menu.  We love Epicurean anyway, but we hoped this would elevate our experience to a higher plain. 

It is one of those meals where, if you really want to try it, and you want a window table, you need to be still up when the restaurant reservations are released just after midnight.  I was.

 

 

Here is the menu you can see online:

Menu from online.pdf 7.57 MB · 0 downloads

 

 

Our reservation was for 18:30 on the day we cruised from Hellesylt; according to the online menu, it is always on the fifth day; so, unless the itinerary changes, the scenery will be the same, depending on the reservation time, and of course the weather.

 

We arrived at 18:15 and were seated straightaway at a window table.

Our all female waiting team consisted of Jerlyn, assisted by Aljen.  They were fantastic throughout, and worked really well together; like two halves of a whole.

 

 

This is the menu we were given in the restaurant, with wine recommendations:

Restaurant Menu - with wine.pdf 2.38 MB · 0 downloads

Restaurant Menu - with wine - veg.pdf 2.19 MB · 0 downloads

 

The wines are priced as per the main wine list.  Looking around, I couldn’t see anyone near us choosing the recommended wines.  Our lass was just on water, and I had a couple of large glasses of an Australian Chardonnay.

 

Although there are two separate menus, a mixed one and a strictly vegetarian one, you are free to mix and match from both.  I am a pescatarian, so had everything from the vegetarian menu apart from the fish course from the mixed menu, which replaced my salad course.  Our lass had everything from the mixed menu except for the main as she does not eat lamb; she instead had the vegetarian main.

 

 

So, the meal...

 

Disclaimer:

I apologise for the photos of the views; I had words with Captain Dunlop about the dirty windows.  Our lass had words with the photographer about the reflections.

I also apologise for the food photos, in case they make you salivate this wet Tuesday, as you prepare your cheese and pickle butty for lunch.

 

 

Amuse

Me...

 

The missus...

 

 

Starter

Both of us...

 

 

Fish Course

Both of us...

 

Our view at this time...

 

 

Main Course

Both of us...

 

Our view just before...

 

 

Pre-dessert

Both of us...

 

Our view just before...

 

 

Dessert

Both of us...

 

Our view at this time...

 

 

Petit Fours (with coffee)

Both of us...

 

Our view at this time...

 

 

Our view just before we left...

 

 

Selbourne, I know you like to eat later than this but, if you want to enjoy a relaxed meal with beautiful views, I would recommend you booking an early reservation; probably no later than 18:30.

By 18:40 all window tables were occupied.  It was only as we were having coffee, at 20:15, that they reset just two of the window tables, that I could see.  This cruise no longer takes in Geraingerfjord; you sail up Sunnylvsfjorden and then along Storfjorden.  When we left the restaurant at 20:25, we were just entering the open sea.

 

 

This meal was absolutely fantastic, and at £22 each (after pre-booking and Penisular discount), represented excellent value for money.

I loved everything.  There were a couple of things that were a bit hit and miss for our lass, but I won’t say what they were; I don’t want anyone to go in with any pre-conceptions.

 

If I've whet your appetite, then book and enjoy...

If I haven't, the buffet will be open!😉

 

An excellent review as always. Many thanks. I think we will give this a go. As you say, we prefer to eat later on a cruise and would like to see the fjord from our balcony, so your info on when the ship is leaving the fjord is very useful and will help our timings. A window table becomes less important then as well.

 

For what it’s worth, I agree with you about acceptable (and unacceptable) dress for Epicurean. When we were having breakfast in there one chap used to turn up in a garish football shirt. I think that’s tacky and disrespectful to other diners. Others won’t agree but, as you say, we are all entitled to our opinions 😉 

 

[Ardennais]

5 hours ago, Selbourne said:

An excellent review as always. Many thanks. I think we will give this a go. As you say, we prefer to eat later on a cruise and would like to see the fjord from our balcony, so your info on when the ship is leaving the fjord is very useful and will help our timings. A window table becomes less important then as well.

 

For what it’s worth, I agree with you about acceptable (and unacceptable) dress for Epicurean. When we were having breakfast in there one chap used to turn up in a garish football shirt. I think that’s tacky and disrespectful to other diners. Others won’t agree but, as you say, we are all entitled to our opinions 😉 

  I don’t think football shirts are tacky to begin with, and it certainly wouldn’t bother me at breakfast time. 

[Sarah1974]

@TigerB thanks for your very informative blog 😊

[DamianG]

On 6/20/2023 at 10:56 AM, Peanut006 said:

I am in Halifax on Thursday visiting daughter & grandchildren, a popular place!!

 

Michelle

 

I don't mind a day out in Halifax myself, especially if it includes a call in at The Three Pigeons 😉 

[DamianG]

On 6/20/2023 at 11:42 AM, TigerB said:

Epicurean Norwegian Tasting Menu - 14th June

 

Selbourne, I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer my preceding diatribe to get to what you really desire, the full gen on the tasting menu.😉

 

Before I start, I want to get something off my chest...

I think most folk will agree with me, some though may feel I am being a little prudish, but I really don’t care; I say it how it is, and this is how it is...

Whatever night it is, motif and band t-shirts have no place in the Epicurean.  Ironically, the two lasses with these two guys were really well dressed.  The two blokes, in my opinion, were just poseurs, showing off their guns!

Rant over!

 

 

Back to the main event...

 

I think I’ve let it known once or twice previously that we really wanted to try this menu.  We love Epicurean anyway, but we hoped this would elevate our experience to a higher plain. 

It is one of those meals where, if you really want to try it, and you want a window table, you need to be still up when the restaurant reservations are released just after midnight.  I was.

 

 

Here is the menu you can see online:

Menu from online.pdf 7.57 MB · 19 downloads

 

 

Our reservation was for 18:30 on the day we cruised from Hellesylt; according to the online menu, it is always on the fifth day; so, unless the itinerary changes, the scenery will be the same, depending on the reservation time, and of course the weather.

 

We arrived at 18:15 and were seated straightaway at a window table.

Our all female waiting team consisted of Jerlyn, assisted by Aljen.  They were fantastic throughout, and worked really well together; like two halves of a whole.

 

 

This is the menu we were given in the restaurant, with wine recommendations:

Restaurant Menu - with wine.pdf 2.38 MB · 21 downloads

Restaurant Menu - with wine - veg.pdf 2.19 MB · 9 downloads

 

The wines are priced as per the main wine list.  Looking around, I couldn’t see anyone near us choosing the recommended wines.  Our lass was just on water, and I had a couple of large glasses of an Australian Chardonnay.

 

Although there are two separate menus, a mixed one and a strictly vegetarian one, you are free to mix and match from both.  I am a pescatarian, so had everything from the vegetarian menu apart from the fish course from the mixed menu, which replaced my salad course.  Our lass had everything from the mixed menu except for the main as she does not eat lamb; she instead had the vegetarian main.

 

 

So, the meal...

 

Disclaimer:

I apologise for the photos of the views; I had words with Captain Dunlop about the dirty windows.  Our lass had words with the photographer about the reflections.

I also apologise for the food photos, in case they make you salivate this wet Tuesday, as you prepare your cheese and pickle butty for lunch.

 

 

Amuse

Me...

 

The missus...

 

 

Starter

Both of us...

 

 

Fish Course

Both of us...

 

Our view at this time...

 

 

Main Course

Both of us...

 

Our view just before...

 

 

Pre-dessert

Both of us...

 

Our view just before...

 

 

Dessert

Both of us...

 

Our view at this time...

 

 

Petit Fours (with coffee)

Both of us...

 

Our view at this time...

 

 

Our view just before we left...

 

 

Selbourne, I know you like to eat later than this but, if you want to enjoy a relaxed meal with beautiful views, I would recommend you booking an early reservation; probably no later than 18:30.

By 18:40 all window tables were occupied.  It was only as we were having coffee, at 20:15, that they reset just two of the window tables, that I could see.  This cruise no longer takes in Geraingerfjord; you sail up Sunnylvsfjorden and then along Storfjorden.  When we left the restaurant at 20:25, we were just entering the open sea.

 

 

This meal was absolutely fantastic, and at £22 each (after pre-booking and Penisular discount), represented excellent value for money.

I loved everything.  There were a couple of things that were a bit hit and miss for our lass, but I won’t say what they were; I don’t want anyone to go in with any pre-conceptions.

 

If I've whet your appetite, then book and enjoy...

If I haven't, the buffet will be open!😉

 

 

Looks lovely, thanks for the review, menus and photos.

 

Also thanks for pointing out the dirty windows, I was just about to give my laptop screen a good wipe. 😃

[TigerB]

16 minutes ago, DamianG said:

 

I don't mind a day out in Halifax myself, especially if it includes a call in at The Three Pigeons 😉 

 

I have to say, we've never been to Halifax as a couple; our lass had many years ago, before she met me.  Very hilly, isn't it?  She was having a bit of a 'mare with that, and with the camber of the pavements.  We didn't get too see much though before the concert, as it took nearly three hours to get there due to congestion on the M62 and the A58, and that's just from the other side of Hull.

 

Piece Hall is a great concert venue, though; the staff were great and the accessible platform was the best we have been on at a concert, and quite close to the stage.

 

[TigerB]

 

I’ve just looked back on this thread to find that there are a few posts about meals missing, which I had planned to do after we returned but, with one thing and another, have not yet had the chance to do so.  Sorry for having a life outside of these forums!🤭  I’ll get our lass to give me a sound thrashing!😉

 

Anyway....

 

 

Lunch in Pearl – Thursday 15th

 

We weren’t long in Haugesund on this day so, rather than grabbing a burger or pizza from Taste 360 and eating it on our balcony, we had a sit down lunch in Pearl.  This is something we have done on previous cruises, and found it to be relaxing and enjoyable.

 

As it was a port day, only the Pearl was open, but it really wasn’t that busy. 

We had a laugh with the fella charged with showing us to our table; we first went to the starboard/aft side – wrong area!  We then went to the aft window area – wrong area!  He was about to take us to the port/aft area, but asked a waiter where our table was.  He was directed to the area where we were finally seated – literally thirty feet from the host’s desk!  I thanked him for the tour of the restaurant.  I reckon if that was a shore experience tour provided by P&O, it would have cost us at least £25 each!

 

 

Anyway, the food...

 

Me...

 

 

 

 

The missus...

 

 

It wasn’t a big lunch, but filled a hole until dinner.

 

On our way out, we had a look at the dinner menu; no very inspiring at all.  So, we decided that we would eat elsewhere that evening.

 

 

[TigerB]

 

Dinner in Olive Grove – Thursday 15th

 

As we would only be having dinner in the MDRs on four evenings, it was our intention to dine in all four.  So far, we had eaten dinner in Aqua, Coral, and Opal; the last one was our favourite, and will likely be the one we choose for all our MDR dinners on our next Iona cruise.

 

Tonight would have been Pearl.

 

When we left Pearl earlier in the afternoon, after having a lovely lunch, we perused the menu for that evening; it was totally uninspiring.  We decided to check out what else was available when we got back to the cabin.

 

Looking on the My Holiday app, there were no reservations available for anywhere.  We could have the option to start joining the virtual queues for those restaurants for which the queue opened at 17:15. 

We both fancied Olive Grove again, after having such a great lunch there the day before.  I called the reservation line, and there was only one opening for a table for two, 20:15.  That is later than we normally like to eat, but took it anyway.

 

After making the reservation, I discovered something about the app; it may be a quirk with the app, or may have been because the lady I spoke with didn’t press the correct buttons. Our reservation didn’t show up on my bookings list.  We already had a dinner reservation for Pearl at 18:00; I would have expected our new reservation would have been listed and that the existing one cancelled by the lady.  Perhaps though it didn’t alert her to there being a clash, as there was over a two hour time difference between the two; perhaps the logarithms of the app thought, ‘One meal after another, there’s nothing unusual about that, especially for a fat knacker from East Yorkshire’. 

I cancelled the Pearl reservation myself, but the new reservation didn’t show.  I was a little worried that we would get to the desk to be told we didn’t have a reservation.

As it turns out, there wasn’t a problem at the desk.  The couple ahead of us, who had also called the reservation line, were told that there was a clash; they had a show booked for 20:30.  The host cancelled the show for them.  It got me thinking again about the possible quirk with the app, or the person taking their reservation also not pressing the correct buttons; with P&O’s reputation with IT, it was probably more likely to be the former.

 

 

We were seated promptly and had the same waiter as the day before, Clavon.  The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, unlike when we have been in or peered into the one on Arvia, which was rammed every night.

Clavon remembered us from the day before, and asked if I wanted a Punk IPA fetching from Sindhu.  What a good lad!😊  He sent his assistant waiter for it.

 

With it being late for us to eat, we planned not to have a big meal.  What is it they say about best laid plans and all that?🙄

 

 

Anyway, the food...

 

The missus...

That is supposed to be a grazing dish for two. So much for eating light .....greedy get!

 

She liked this so much the day before, she had it again.

 

She was almost stuffed, and did earlier say she fancied the baclava; she didn't think she could manage it though, so opted for something lighter...

 

 

Me...

We shared this the day before, as it is supposed to be grazing dish for two.  But, what can I say? I'm 6' tall and as skinny as a super model. Honest!🤭

 

That was really nice.

 

And to finish off my light meal...

That rosewater ice cream was proper moreish; it made me want to pop out an buy a Turkish Delight.

 

 

Our experience in Olive Grove on Arvia...👎

Our experience in Olive Grove on Iona...👍👍

 

 

So, if you're thinking, "They'll pay for that later", you wouldn't be wrong.  I was sent to the buffet at midnight for a glass of milk to counteract the indigestion! 

 

 

 

[Peanut006]

42 minutes ago, TigerB said:

 

Dinner in Olive Grove – Thursday 15th

 

As we would only be having dinner in the MDRs on four evenings, it was our intention to dine in all four.  So far, we had eaten dinner in Aqua, Coral, and Opal; the last one was our favourite, and will likely be the one we choose for all our MDR dinners on our next Iona cruise.

 

Tonight would have been Pearl.

 

When we left Pearl earlier in the afternoon, after having a lovely lunch, we perused the menu for that evening; it was totally uninspiring.  We decided to check out what else was available when we got back to the cabin.

 

Looking on the My Holiday app, there were no reservations available for anywhere.  We could have the option to start joining the virtual queues for those restaurants for which the queue opened at 17:15. 

We both fancied Olive Grove again, after having such a great lunch there the day before.  I called the reservation line, and there was only one opening for a table for two, 20:15.  That is later than we normally like to eat, but took it anyway.

 

After making the reservation, I discovered something about the app; it may be a quirk with the app, or may have been because the lady I spoke with didn’t press the correct buttons. Our reservation didn’t show up on my bookings list.  We already had a dinner reservation for Pearl at 18:00; I would have expected our new reservation would have been listed and that the existing one cancelled by the lady.  Perhaps though it didn’t alert her to there being a clash, as there was over a two hour time difference between the two; perhaps the logarithms of the app thought, ‘One meal after another, there’s nothing unusual about that, especially for a fat knacker from East Yorkshire’. 

I cancelled the Pearl reservation myself, but the new reservation didn’t show.  I was a little worried that we would get to the desk to be told we didn’t have a reservation.

As it turns out, there wasn’t a problem at the desk.  The couple ahead of us, who had also called the reservation line, were told that there was a clash; they had a show booked for 20:30.  The host cancelled the show for them.  It got me thinking again about the possible quirk with the app, or the person taking their reservation also not pressing the correct buttons; with P&O’s reputation with IT, it was probably more likely to be the former.

 

 

We were seated promptly and had the same waiter as the day before, Clavon.  The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, unlike when we have been in or peered into the one on Arvia, which was rammed every night.

Clavon remembered us from the day before, and asked if I wanted a Punk IPA fetching from Sindhu.  What a good lad!😊  He sent his assistant waiter for it.

 

With it being late for us to eat, we planned not to have a big meal.  What is it they say about best laid plans and all that?🙄

 

 

Anyway, the food...

 

The missus...

That is supposed to be a grazing dish for two. So much for eating light .....greedy get!

 

She liked this so much the day before, she had it again.

 

She was almost stuffed, and did earlier say she fancied the baclava; she didn't think she could manage it though, so opted for something lighter...

 

 

Me...

We shared this the day before, as it is supposed to be grazing dish for two.  But, what can I say? I'm 6' tall and as skinny as a super model. Honest!🤭

 

That was really nice.

 

And to finish off my light meal...

That rosewater ice cream was proper moreish; it made me want to pop out an buy a Turkish Delight.

 

 

Our experience in Olive Grove on Arvia...👎

Our experience in Olive Grove on Iona...👍👍

 

 

So, if you're thinking, "They'll pay for that later", you wouldn't be wrong.  I was sent to the buffet at midnight for a glass of milk to counteract the indigestion! 

 

 

 

That food looks fantastic 

 

Michelle

[TigerB]

25 minutes ago, Peanut006 said:

That food looks fantastic 

 

Michelle

 

It really was good food in Olive Grove, on both occasions.  After the disappointment of Olive Grove on Arvia, we were won over by it on Iona.

[TigerB]

Just a quick one before I hang the washing out...

 

On our last night we had a few quid of our OBC to spend. What better way to do that than getting a couple of those cocktails you've seen folk drinking, and thought, "I'll have one of those one night"?

 

I started with...

 

and our lass started with...

I had to ask for a spoon to fish out the pomegranate seeds. They weren't going to waste! #Yorkshire

 

To finish our lass had a glass of bubbly. I didn't know I had married a posh bird!😂

I had something that I had seen being made a few nights before, and the smell of it was intoxicating...

 

 

There was still a little bit of the smoke in the glass as I drank it. Delicious!😋 The perfect nightcap.

And as I did a few nights previous, there were folk looking and probably thinking, "I'm going to have that one night".

 

Our lass:

"Brilliant! I thought I could get away without washing my hair, but now it smells like a #@%*£&?! bonfire".

 

[Peanut006]

3 hours ago, TigerB said:

Just a quick one before I hang the washing out...

 

On our last night we had a few quid of our OBC to spend. What better way to do that than getting a couple of those cocktails you've seen folk drinking, and thought, "I'll have one of those one night"?

 

I started with...

 

and our lass started with...

I had to ask for a spoon to fish out the pomegranate seeds. They weren't going to waste! #Yorkshire

 

To finish our lass had a glass of bubbly. I didn't know I had married a posh bird!😂

I had something that I had seen being made a few nights before, and the smell of it was intoxicating...

 

 

 

There was still a little bit of the smoke in the glass as I drank it. Delicious!😋 The perfect nightcap.

And as I did a few nights previous, there were folk looking and probably thinking, "I'm going to have that one night".

 

Our lass:

"Brilliant! I thought I could get away without washing my hair, but now it smells like a #@%*£&?! bonfire".

 

I will be trying some of those if they do them on Arvia next year for definite 

 

Michelle

[purplesea]

I like the look of that, I'll see if they have it on Britannia. 

[TigerB]

9 minutes ago, Peanut006 said:

I will be trying some of those if they do them on Arvia next year for definite 

 

Michelle

 

Yes, they do. That 'around the world' cocktail menu is the same on both.  Anderson's bar on Arvia does a few rum based cocktails, when she's in the Caribbean anyway, whereas Anderson's bar on Iona does gin based cocktails.

[TigerB]

Just now, purplesea said:

I like the look of that, I'll see if they have it on Britannia. 

 

Hopefully, they will but I'm not sure if the 'around the world' cocktail menu is exclusive to Arvia and Iona.

 

You know what? I bet there is someone on here that will know the answer.🙂

[TigerB]

Final Lunch – Friday 16th

 

We returned to Pearl for another lunch, this being our final day on board.  We had a dinner reservation for Epicurean, and I was on a mission for that one, so we didn’t want anything heavy.

 

There wasn’t a convoluted tour of the restaurant this time; we were shown directly to our table, with the same waiting team as the day before.

 

 

We had...

 

The missus...

That was supposed to be a sharer for two. Yeah, for two size 6 models maybe!

 

She then had a dessert...

 

 

Me...

 

This was on the 'large plate' section, but it was only small; like a large ramekin. Just right though.

 

With the obligatory ice cream, of course

 

 

On our last cruise, a fourteen day one in April, we didn’t have lunch; I can’t recall why as it is, and always has been a relaxing affair.

[Selbourne]

1 hour ago, TigerB said:

Final Lunch – Friday 16th

 

We returned to Pearl for another lunch, this being our final day on board.  We had a dinner reservation for Epicurean, and I was on a mission for that one, so we didn’t want anything heavy.

 

There wasn’t a convoluted tour of the restaurant this time; we were shown directly to our table, with the same waiting team as the day before.

 

 

We had...

 

The missus...

That was supposed to be a sharer for two. Yeah, for two size 6 models maybe!

 

She then had a dessert...

 

 

Me...

 

This was on the 'large plate' section, but it was only small; like a large ramekin. Just right though.

 

With the obligatory ice cream, of course

 

 

On our last cruise, a fourteen day one in April, we didn’t have lunch; I can’t recall why as it is, and always has been a relaxing affair.

I have asked for the ‘sharing platters’ before (just for me) but they have often served me a half portion, which defeats the object 😂 I would have asked for ice cream to go with the Summer Pudding as well, but is that mint choc chip? 🤮 😂 

[TigerB]

10 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I have asked for the ‘sharing platters’ before (just for me) but they have often served me a half portion, which defeats the object 😂 I would have asked for ice cream to go with the Summer Pudding as well, but is that mint choc chip? 🤮 😂 

 

To be fair, I didn't specify which ice cream; I just asked for ice cream. It was a scoop of strawberry and a scoop of mint choc chip, my least favourite.😒

Our lass told the waiter that all she wanted was the mezze, so I'm not sure it that was the two-person portion or a single; given the meagre portion sizes these days in the MDRs, it was probably the former. 

[TigerB]

Epicurean Anniversary Meal – Friday 16th

 

Our last proper meal of the cruise was in the Epicurean, to celebrate our 33^rd wedding anniversary.

Our reservation was for 18:45, and when we arrived we were shown to the same window table we had two days previous. Our waiting team was as before, the excellent Jerlyn and Aljen.

 

The menu on this cruise was menu 1:

 

Epicurean - Menu 1.pdf

 

Our lass chose a bottle of English spakrling wine, which was really nice.

 

 

Amuse Bouche...

Virgin Bloody Mary

 

If scallops are on a menu, you can bet your bottom dollar that our lass will be having that, often me too. So, for our starter we both had...

They never disappoint.

 

 

Mains...

 

The missus...

 

 

Now, I do like my fish, and one of my favourites is halibut. I’ve had the following several times now in Epicurean, and it never disappoints. The last time was in January, where I shared it with my sister, as it is meant for two.  Back in September, on Britannia, I had a single portion.  This time, although it is still shown on the menu as being for two, and prepared at the table, I knew they weren’t doing that; Jerlyn confirmed that to be so.  I asked her then if chef would although it to be served as a single portion.  She went to ask, and returned with a positive response.

 

A double portion of chips, of course!

 

 

Palate cleanser...

Blackcurrant sorbet, but more of an ice cream really

 

 

Desserts...

 

@Selbourne & @daiB  You may recall that in April on Arvia I did a test run of Operation Double Dessert, which was just a partial success; I bottled it due to spousal pressure and, like you daiB, just had a sweet dessert and the cheese plate.

This time, it was time for affirmative action, no more pussyfooting about; yes, our lass may give me daggers again, but I would let my eyes glaze over; I was not going to be defeated again.

 

I could see that the trolley was out in the middle of the restaurant, and I had seen one guy at it, so knew they were flambéing the Crêpes Suzette near, if not at, the tables. I wanted that!  However, I did feel guilty that Jerlyn or Aljen could potentially be slaving over that for the two of us; so, I had a little bit of a rethink about Operation Double Dessert.  Should I leave it for another time?🤔 

I asked Jerlyn if she would be the one preparing the crêpes; no, it turns out the lad I had seen doing it had just one job all night – flambéing crêpes and carving ham.  I didn’t feel so guilty now.

So, crunch time!

Our lass plumped for something she had eaten before, and knew was delicious; the baked Valrhona chocolate cheesecake.

 

I knew I was having the crêpes; that was in the bag. But, what else?  I really did fancy the Valrhona cheesecake but, at the end of the meal, I didn’t want there to be a Mr Creosote incident.🤭

“Jerlyn, I really do want the crêpes, but there are so many other things on here that I would also like. I really don’t know what to have”

SILENCE !!

I daren’t look at our lass.

Well, if she wasn’t going to take the bait, I would have to go for the full-on assault.

“Do you think it would be greedy of me if I had the crêpes and the jaffa cake?”

Still not looking at our lass!

Jerlyn probably thought, “You fat knacker”, but politely said, “I don’t know sir, I’ll ask chef”.

You can imagine the scenario in the galley; “Chef, we’ve got another greedy Brit in”.

 

Just like the waiter on our last cruise, she didn’t come back with an answer; she was making me have it!  Even when Aljen came with the coffee cups, nothing was said.

 

Then, about ten minutes later, the two lovely ladies came to our table with these...

 

The missus...

 

 

Me...

 

 

So, I am pleased to announce that Operation Double Dessert, at the second attempt, was a resounding success.

Selbourne, now that I’ve done the ground work, I hope that I will be reading about another successful mission in August. No pressure!

 

 

Finally, coffee and petit fours...

They were all mine; our lass just had one of those cone doodahs.

 

 

Another fantastic meal in the Epicurean!👍😊

 

Next stop:  The casino to collect our slots' winnings (£22.20 for our lass, and 22p for me), then to the Emerald bar to get cocktails with the last of our OBC.

 

Edited June 24, 2023 by TigerB

[Selbourne]

Perhaps now may not be the best time to confess that when I asked about double deserts I was meaning a pud followed by cheese 🤣.

 

All looks lovely though. Fingers crossed, in just two weeks time we will have had our first dinner in Epicurean since Covid (on Britannia). It’s a 2 week cruise so I’m hoping that we can experience both menus - maybe multiple times 😂 

[TigerB]

11 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Perhaps now may not be the best time to confess that when I asked about double deserts I was meaning a pud followed by cheese 🤣.

 

Now you say!😮

And I went up a belt size too! All in the interests of important culinary research.🫢

[zap99]

On 6/22/2023 at 6:18 PM, purplesea said:

I like the look of that, I'll see if they have it on Britannia. 

We have lots of OBC on Britannia in December. We don't normally go for cocktails  but........🤔