TigerB

Before I lose my signal, these are from 6th Street Diner last night... Nothing to write home about

We were in there last night and I fancied the monkey bread as an additional starter, but again, got the daggers from our lass. To be fair, we were fairly full after three courses. The couple next to us did have two starters each, though. We weren't there long enough to see if they doubled up on the mains.

So, this is what we ate in Epicurean on Tuesday... Amuse Bouche - virgin Pina Colada Pre-dessert palate cleanser - mango sorbet Finishing of course with what Fernando forced us to eat, standing over us until we ate every last morsel:

Very true!🐷

It wouldn't be though; my idea was to charge a £5 fee for each person under the booking, and when they get checked in at the club, the deposit goes back on their account or goes towards the cost of a drink. It should be workable, as it's no different to charging the £10 to book Sindhu and Green & Co

So, Operation Double Dessert was executed on Tuesday evening with mixed results. I was going to order two sweet desserts, most likely the banana and peanut butter cannelloni, and the crème brulée and white chocolate sphere. However, I bottled it when our lass looked daggers at me after I revealed my cunning plan. Nevermind, I was now going to try my trump card; "Do you know what, Fernando? I really can't decide between that cannelloni or the cheese plate". Awkward silence; he didn't bite! "Would it be greedy of me to get the cannelloni and finish with the cheese plate"? "Oh, I don't know sir; this chef is on top of the auditing, so it may not be possible. I will ask". "No, don't worry about it; I'm all about the sweet anyway". "Okay, sir". 0 Greedy Lad v Epicurean Chef 1 So, when he cleared our dessert plates he said he had asked the chef about the cheese plate, and it would be another five minutes. I was now quite full, and didn't have the heart to tell him that I couldn't face it. After all, he had probably been flogged by the chef for daring to ask. "Oh, thank you Fernando; that is really nice of you". "Shall I bring a side plate for Madam"? "Oh, yes please; we can share". Daggers again! So, I'll mark Operation Double Dessert up as a partial success; dessert + cheese plate okay, if a little awkward; dessert + dessert incomplete due to spousal interference.😉

Rather selfish of them, and reinforces my view with regards a booking fee

I totally agree with you, but I would go one step further and charge a small booking fee. I'm sure they could make that work with the app, perhaps refunding it to those that turn up or it being used against a drinks order.

Well, if that's the game you're going to play.... I'm not really into cheese boards, but am all about the desserts, and there are at least two on tonight's menu that I really fancy. Wish me luck!🤞🐷

Ah, that boat has sailed! I only saw your thread last night when I had data.

I'll be going for the salmon duo tonight, and the Dover sole. In Sindhu, still the one with the lobster thermidor, and monkfish medallions? If so, that's a shame as we expected the next menu to be on by now

Vampires, if it's not too much trouble can you ask a question of the Epicurean restaurant host about the Norwegian tasting menu, please? I want to know if the vegetarian needs to be requested ahead of dining? Thanks 🙂

On this current cruise on Arvia we were in the terminal building before 13:00, and I connected to My Holiday; I was able to book two shows. When I checked later in the evening, they only had the 00:15 shows available.

That may be us. We're currently on Arvia, having booked eight days before the sail date. The advisor on the phone said we couldn't have it as it was less than 22 days. A quick email did the trick, with the OBC being applied a couple of hours later.

It really is a no-brainer isn't it? I considered getting them last year but was prevaricating, so missed out of £300 over two cruises. It matters not though, as our outlay of about £650 in January has already been returned with this current cruise and those booked for the future.

Thanks Selbourne, that is very helpful. I was on the phone to Southampton yesterday afternoon before they closed, but the calls timed out. I'll try again today.

Before ordering in the Beach House last night, our lass asked the difference. She was told the salt block is exactly the same as the lava block, hot so it cooks the steak, but with a coating of salt. She didn't fancy that as, when cutting and continuing to cook the slices, she would have found them too salty.

From our experience yesterday, that is spot on. They quoted 25mins, but it was more like 15. I can't imagine what it would be like walking; lengthy and potentially dangerous I would suspect.

We've booked one of the just released 2025 cruises on Aurora, and selected an accessible sea-view cabin. I've just checked our booking and we've been allocated E168, which is below Charlie's. We probably would have preferred one on the starboard side, below the shop. I'm aware they're all also partially below the promenade deck. Does anyone have any experience of any of the eight accessible sea-view cabins on deck 6(E)?

I'm glad there is a separate vegetarian menu, but does anyone know if that has to be requested ahead of the reservation?

They only charge you for a maximum of two journeys each; all others after that are free.

I've got to say, the nachos were pretty box standard and (without blowing my own trumpet - but I am) not a patch on the ones I make, with my super cheesy nacho sauce, homemade guacamole, and sweetcorn salsa. Twice in one cruise is about my limit, I reckon. Our lass said the steak and, even with the supplement, where would you get anything like that for that price in a restaurant back home. You've just reminded me about the Norwegian tasting menu on the Fjord cruise; we're booked on one for June and only intended to eat at Epicurean once, not expecting that the menu will change. I'll look into the tasting menu.

Tonight's restaurant of choice was Beach House. A very nice and relaxed meal it was too. There was a 10% tax imposed though, courtesy of the Spanish. Muchas gracias chicos!🙄 And plated up...

Well, having eaten there once and paying £20.25 for a total of three dishes (with my main being a fairly meagre portion), and paying just shy of £23 each for a more substantial and better presented meal in Epicurean, I know which gets my vote👍

We ate in Keel & Cow last night, for the first time. It was nice enough and the service was good, but not sure if we will try it again until the menu receives an overhaul with the veggie and pescatarian options. Our lass had this, and didn't need anything else. To be fair, it's the first time in years I've seen her finish a whole burger, bread and all; but she had been drinking alcohol. Right, where do I start? I didn't bother with a starter as I thought this may be a filling dish.🤔 Schoolboy error! When a menu says 'chunky chips' it's fair to think that they would be the freshly cut and cooked fat little buggers like you get in Epicurean; especially when your waiter tells you everything is cooked to order. I wouldn't expect them to be the same frozen ones you get in the Quays and the MDR. Why do so-called gastro pubs and some 4⭐ hotels insist on serving smashed/crushed garden peas as a substitute for mushy peas. Do they think it makes the dish any more desirable; or is it so that can charge more. So, restauranteurs, stop doing it; it's not big and it's not clever! I'm from Yorkshire, give me mushy peas every time. Rant over! 😉 This was lush!😋