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

TigerB · June 24, 2023

5 minutes ago, zap99 said:

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

Neither do we; not the pricey ones, anyway. Our kids go to those mixologist type cocktail bars, and say they are a great deal more expensive than what we paid on Iona.

daiB · June 24, 2023

4 hours ago, TigerB said:

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 39.88 kB · 4 downloads

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.