Supper Club and Multiple Entrees?

[sylvasta]

YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!! Choosing between chocolate and cheese is difficult enough under normal circumstances. But while pregnant and on a cruise... that would be virtually impossible. :p

 

Hey!! You will be on my cruise! Have you been to the roll call? I remember someone saying that they were going to have an extra passenger on board! :D

[G'ma]

Hey all!

 

We have never done the supper club before, and this will be our 4th Carnival cruise. We hear it's a definite must do, I have never heard one bad thing about it.

 

Here's my question-DH LOVES to order multiple entrees at dinner (loves to try everything-and he doesn't waste the food, trust me! :D)

 

Can he do that at the Supper Club? He would love to be able to order lobster AND steak, but he was under the impression he couldn't, which is why he never wants to eat there, LOL.

 

What say you all? TIA! :cool:

 

Nope. This isn't like the main dining room.

 

They have a great selection and some combination dinners that should be fine.

 

Besides, the portions are HUGE......you'll be lucky to finish what is served.

[TheDINGOateMyBaybay!]

Hey all!

 

We have never done the supper club before, and this will be our 4th Carnival cruise. We hear it's a definite must do, I have never heard one bad thing about it.

 

Here's my question-DH LOVES to order multiple entrees at dinner (loves to try everything-and he doesn't waste the food, trust me! :D)

 

Can he do that at the Supper Club? He would love to be able to order lobster AND steak, but he was under the impression he couldn't, which is why he never wants to eat there, LOL.

 

What say you all? TIA! :cool:

 

It would be almost impossible to eat even one entree. I say order 2 between the 2 of you and switch 1/2 way.

[cathyoo]

I had a feeling I was going to get jumped on for my question. I'm sorry, question withdrawn. I was really just looking for additional information, I haven't cruised in 8 years, I don't know what's changed, this is a whole new way of eating, it costs extra, and people still seem to recommend it, and I can't figure out why. I thought these boards were here to get new information from those who know more than me, so I was looking for someone to tell me why. I'm not cheap, but I remember really liking the MDR, and wouldn't want to miss it (and pay extra for the privilege).

 

FWIW, I don't generally order two entrees unless I really hate the one I chose. I'm also not much of a steak eater unless it's really good, so there is a really good chance (expensive or not) I wouldn't like the steak. So I'd be unlikely to order it no matter what.

 

I guess the answer is - and I may never know why - some folks choose to do this, and it's probably just not for me. But no need to chastise me, I'll go away quiet.

 

 

I like the MDR and only tried the Supper Club because of reviews I read on this board. My husband did not like the idea at all since he loves the MDR experience. But now he is hooked and would eat there every night.

 

The food truly is a step above the MDR. For me the most important factor is the atmosphere. It is so much quieter and more elegant at least IMHO. My understanding is they no longer have the live entertainment. For me that may change how I look at the Supper Club. I loved listening to the music, enjoyed having a dance with my DH and watching others take the dance floor.

 

I would seriously recommend taking a chance and trying it out. You may decide it is not for you or you may be like my DH and fall in love with the whole experience.

[TheDINGOateMyBaybay!]

I'd also like to add that the ambiance is worth it too. I am traveling with a group of 12 and it is nice to get away from the clanging of dishes and loud MDR experience. I DO love the MDR too, so only opt for the steakhouse once a cruise.

[sam1148]

This is what puzzles me - why pay extra money for food when perfectly good food comes with the price of admission, and you can try everything on the menu until you find something you like? So if I get this right, you pay extra money, have more restrictions, and this is good for some reason? Is it just a matter of being exclusive? I love the MDR, can't imagine paying extra for a steakhouse (which I can do at home anytime I want). Not to put down your choice, but people must be making this choice or they wouldn't have the option available. I've just been trying to wrap my head around the "why" of it all . . .

 

Granted, last time I cruised there was no "pay extra" dining option - it was just the main dining room for fancy food options. Yes, many years ago. So maybe food has gone really downhill in the last 8 years? If so, I'm going to be very disappointed come November.

 

The Steak is of better quality. While the MDR food is excellent, the "Steakhouse" is superior.

Here's just a tiny example. The lobster bisque in the main room is just fine..but in the steakhouse they pay more attention to the dish, and it's flavored with a bit of top shelf cognac. It's the diffrence between having to serve 1600 people and 100. Staff pay more attention to tastes, and use better quality stuff that would go in the dumpster if serving a thousand people or more.

 

There will also be little spoon fulls of 'suprises'..things like a tomato sorbet served between courses (off the menu,but brought to the table to sample).

Small between courses things created at chef's discretion.

 

The steak in the steakhouse isn't the mass market steak, which is fine, in the MDR. It's higher quality and more personalized cooked to order instead of sitting in the back with 200 other 'medium rare' prepared plates ready to launch. I think the lobster is better prepared and more attention is paid to each dish, from the cooking, to the plating, to the presentation. The atmosphere is less frenetic, you don't feel rushed, and aren't left waiting for table mates, less noisy. Just far more relaxed than the MDR.

 

For 30 dollars the price is well worth it for the upscale of the quality.

This isn't to say the MDR has taken a 'hit'..it doesn't have to be either/or.

 

You should try it at least one night.

[klfrodo]

Post withdrawn.

 

Teach me to read entire thread before going off

[redskin80]

We love the Supper club ALA now STEAKHOUSE. We cruised the Liberty twice and both times made one night at the supper club. You will get more than enough food and the need for 2 entree's will not be needed.

 

We have found the steaks to be the best. Yes the MDR is good but the steakhouse is a cut above that.

 

This is a choice each cruiser has to make on their own, but for us it is a must if the ship that we are sailing includes the option.

[sam1148]

I like the MDR and only tried the Supper Club because of reviews I read on this board. My husband did not like the idea at all since he loves the MDR experience. But now he is hooked and would eat there every night.

 

 

IMHO I think that's why they renamed it the "Steakhouse". Guy's will see "Supperclub" and think oh CRAP, I gotta dress up and be on 'stage' when we can get a perfectly fine meal with the dancing waiters?

Renaming it 'steakhouse' they think "Oh, good beef, like a Ruth Chris, and we won't pay 9 dollars for a baked potato and 12 extra for Salad..and it's all for 30 bucks! I'M IN!".

[Megnolia]

First cruise I didn't see the need to spend more money on the supper club. But after the great reviews on CC, I decided to try it last time. We loved it.

 

I will do it once a trip as long as the experience is still good. The nice thing is that I could really honestly not afford (read: not willing to spend the money) to go to a place with a comparable level of service and presentation around here. I don't even want to guess how much it would cost to enjoy a restaurant like that....

 

It's a nice experience if you are interested in that. Otherwise, I absolutely love the food and the service in the MDR and don't feel like I'm missing anything when I am on a ship without a supper club.

[Almost Packed]

i'm with eve...but with others....i appreciate eve's response...questioning why?

 

that's why i have read the entire thread....trying to understand "why".

 

so my dh loves lobster. i can't stand seafood. but i do love good steak.

 

so yes, i understand the quality of the food is good...honestly i have not been disappointed in the dining room's food quality.

 

i am not one for "foo foo" food. I'm a meat & potatoes kind of girl. but i love to dance...so that caught my attention...

 

so please, those who have gone, share your experience please with me. i assume there's a dance floor?

what about "normal" food? i don't want all kinds of foo foo stuff all over my food...is this a formal dress?

 

i'm just curious if this is something we should try. but then, again, i think why waste the money, i've already paid for my meals...

oh, and another important question...is the chocolate melting cake available? i'm not big in to desserts...except that chocolate cake, and good ole plain cheesecake (no fruity toppings)

[Almost Packed]

p.s.

 

one more question...

 

which is the best night to book if i did choose. i think i would prefer not to miss out on the formal night in the mdr. but yall's input on that would be appreciated as well. :)

[rednose83]

 

i am not one for "foo foo" food. I'm a meat & potatoes kind of girl.

 

Me too. You won't be disappointed with the Steakhouse. They don't over season, spice, or sauce anything. It's all just wonderful!

[sam1148]

My 'net connection has slowed to a crawl, and can't search well right now.

 

Anyone have any pictures of the offerings in the superclub/steak house to post here?

 

Food Porn Pics Please.

[ChefSusan]

We went to the Supper Club on Legend a couple of months ago, and really enjoyed the experience! One of the other couples from our roll call went the same night, and our tables were next to each other - we could not stop laughing at the jokes going back and forth!

 

The food was absolutely incredible! We were able to have as many appetizers as we wanted (I think we had every single one on the menu between our two tables), everyone went for the Surf & Turf (it took them 45 minutes to bring ours to the table, even though we ordered ours 30 minutes before our friends got there), and the flight of chocolates was NOT to be missed!

 

Not sure if we're going to hit the steakhouse while on Freedom in October - I guess we'll make that decision close to sail time, and go if there is room on whatever date we select.

 

I say if you have the opportunity, do it. It's an experience not to miss out on!

[MrPete]

i'm with eve...but with others....i appreciate eve's response...questioning why?

 

that's why i have read the entire thread....trying to understand "why".

 

so my dh loves lobster. i can't stand seafood. but i do love good steak.

 

so yes, i understand the quality of the food is good...honestly i have not been disappointed in the dining room's food quality.

 

i am not one for "foo foo" food. I'm a meat & potatoes kind of girl. but i love to dance...so that caught my attention...

 

so please, those who have gone, share your experience please with me. i assume there's a dance floor?

what about "normal" food? i don't want all kinds of foo foo stuff all over my food...is this a formal dress?

 

i'm just curious if this is something we should try. but then, again, i think why waste the money, i've already paid for my meals...

oh, and another important question...is the chocolate melting cake available? i'm not big in to desserts...except that chocolate cake, and good ole plain cheesecake (no fruity toppings)

 

Easy...

 

Are you Outback, or Ruth's Chris or Mortons.

 

If you're happy with Outback, you don't have to ever upgrade to the better food establishments.

[sam1148]

Easy...

 

Are you Outback, or Ruth's Chris or Mortons.

 

If you're happy with Outback, you don't have to ever upgrade to the better food establishments.

 

I'd rather do Outback than Ruth's Chris. Value is better. Yes, RC does have 'decent' steak..but the additional costs they add on are insulting. If you lay down 50 bucks for a steak..don't pad it with 7 bucks for 25 cents worth of creamed spinach, or 8 dollars for a 50 cent potato. You can get a better steak with all better sides in a privately owned white tablecloth resturant in most any city. RC is only good for people with expense accounts taking clients out for the night--it's a safe choice. It's the "outback" of upperclass steak; The only reason they exist is expense accounts, not food quality.

[flag fan]

I like the MDR and only tried the Supper Club because of reviews I read on this board. My husband did not like the idea at all since he loves the MDR experience. But now he is hooked and would eat there every night.

 

The food truly is a step above the MDR. For me the most important factor is the atmosphere. It is so much quieter and more elegant at least IMHO. My understanding is they no longer have the live entertainment. For me that may change how I look at the Supper Club. I loved listening to the music, enjoyed having a dance with my DH and watching others take the dance floor.

 

I would seriously recommend taking a chance and trying it out. You may decide it is not for you or you may be like my DH and fall in love with the whole experience.

 

I wonder if one of the reasons they changed the "Supper Clubs" to "Steakhouses" was what you posted--people enjoyed dancing a little, listening to music, and people-watching. The result--people spending more time over dinner and, therefore, fewer turnover of tables and less money. Also fewer musicians to hire. Could it be the change is not based on what passengers want but what will generate more revenue?

 

In any event, from everything I've read, it sounds great and I'm looking forward to trying a Steakhouse meal at least one night.

[crazy cajun]

can anyone tell me if the steakhouse on CCL serves maine lobster or is it the same crawfish tails on steroids (rock lobster) that the MDR serves?

[jimbo5544]

It is not Maine lobster, but a large lobster tail

[auntkaty]

If you are on a 3 night cruise, what would be the best night to try the Steakhouse without missing out on a special night in the main dining room?

[jimbo5544]

If you are on a 3 night cruise, what would be the best night to try the Steakhouse without missing out on a special night in the main dining room?

The steakhouse's are not on every Carnival ship. I don't think any 3 night cruise ships have them,,,,,sorry

[jessemon]

If you are on a 3 night cruise, what would be the best night to try the Steakhouse without missing out on a special night in the main dining room?

Sorry...None on the three nighters.

Supper clubs/steakhouses are only on Spirit Class, Conquest Class and above....6 plus night cruises.....

I really like them...

The only way it would be on a short cruise is if one of these types of ships did a short cruise. Like the "Dream" doing a two night to nowhereout of NYC......;)

[DallasCruisers]

I guess the answer is - and I may never know why

 

....only if you give it a try. You may or may not like it, but all indications are that the majority of people who have tried it, not only thought it was worth it, but want to go back. I'm with the majority.

 

Just got off the Freedom a couple of weeks ago and went to the Steahouse on the last night. We decided we should have tried it earlier in the week because twice in one week sounded really good. The filet was like butter and the lobster tail is cooked to perfection and WAY bigger than in the MDR. The chocolate dessert blew me away! The melting cake doesn't even come close to the desserts they have in the Steakhouse. It's like jello instant pudding to a fine creme brulee.

 

The comparision of Outback and Ruth's Chris is pretty good, but Ruth's Chris just doesn't do it justice food, atmosphere or service-wise. Nor does Morton's.

 

BTW, I LOVE the MDR. I like Outback too, but I do like a REALLY good steak along with a fine dining experience every now and then. $30 bucks extra pales to what you would pay for the equivalent anywhere else (and I'm including the fact you've already paid to eat in the MDR). I would venture that the meal at the Steakhouse would cost at least $150 per person elsewhere.

 

BTW, no live music in the Freedom Steakhouse the night we were there, but there was a baby grand piano in there.

 

If you are closed off to even the idea of it, don't bother because you've probably already made up your mind. But as someone else said, "try it, you might like it". I'd much rather eat that $30 than have the slot machine in the casino "eat it". I don't need two Carnival T-shirts either...give me the prime steak any day.

 

Warning, warning the corkage fee in the Steakhouse is $14 if you bring your own (compared to $10 in the MDR). Gotta pay for the Sommelier, I guess.

[Almost Packed]

so if the live music is gone...does that mean no dancing? :(

 

because i liked that idea...i'm not looking for a disco dance...just a nice waltz or something.....dh & i can dance to anything.

 

i think we might try the steakhouse.

 

and as far as Ruth Chris' and outback...either are fine...dh grills a mean steak too! :D

 

i'm just not a fancy smancy person...i don't want to have to worry about "proper ettiquite"....i mean, i certainly have common sense and manners...but i would hate to do something wrong lol.