sonomaphil

The Catch by Rudi--Mozart Berry Composition, Handcrafted Palate, Chocolates

The Catch by Rudi--Rice Pilaf, Ratatouille and Cauliflower Puree  

The Catch by Rudi--Sole a la Minute

The Catch by Rudi--Shiitake Crusted Halibut

The Catch by Rudi--Tail of Citrus

The Catch by Rudi--Seafaring Stew cioppino 

The Catch by Rudi---Welcome glass of champagne and Amuse Bouche

Usually when I post pics of food it's virtually moments after it's served, I try to keep the "Live" almost live.  But last night I did not post anything because I wanted to enjoy dinner at The Catch by Rudi.  I have lots of pics and will post them shortly.  

Let me say this about The Catch right away, it was the best meal I've ever had on a Princess ship. Now, this restaurant may not be for everyone.  This is NOT the place to go if you're one of those cruisers who has to do everything and wants to have dinner in 35 minutes.  Dinner took 2+ hours for our 7:20 reservation and it's supposed to take that long.  It's not the precooked meals like in the main dining room.  Everything is cooked to order.  There are three courses plus a welcome glass of champagne, an amuse bouche and chocolates to complete the meal.  It is mostly seafood but Steak Frites is on the menu as is Steak and Lobster. 

My wife had the Tail of Citrus for the appetizer which is a marinated lobster tail and for her main, Shiitake Crusted Halibut.  For dessert she had the Handcrafted Palate, a cheese plate.  I had the Seafaring Stew cioppino and then the Sole a la Minute, dover sole filleted tableside.  My dessert was the Mozart Berry Composition, a berry souffle.  

Everything was delicious and there was not one dish I would not order again.  In fact, we're going again on the final evening.  Service was spot on, it's clear only the best of the best work in this restaurant.  No issues with ordering drinks as Bellini's Bar is the service bar.  

Pics next.  
 

Interestingly I noticed that the 360 dining experience is available to book for this evening as it was last night.  We would not do this dining gimmick ourselves but I thought it was so popular you couldn't get reservations. Guess I fell for the propaganda.

26 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

There may only be eight people in the sanctuary, but they probably have sold all of the chairs.

I'm sure of that but what a waste of money. 

The Sanctuary is turning wair listed people away at the door and yet there are only 8 people in here!

Today is an all day Sanctuary day!

Mazatlan is a real working port, not just a cruise port. 

Good morning from Mazatlan.

5 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

Hmmm... Looks better than it sounds. I have no idea what elderflower liquor tastes like but gin with a Pinot float sounds "odd" to me at best. What did you think of the drink? I'm guessing it's meant to be drank in layers...???

My wife loved it. The elderflower liquor goes by the name brand St. Germain.  It's floral and sweet syrupy.  

4 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

Sooooo... Apparently the drink on the left is called a Take Five like the venue? What's in it?

Gin, elderflower liquor, lemon and Pinot Noir float.  

Time to start the evening. The Take Five and a Manhattan at Take Five. For all you bourbon drinkers the best onboard is Russell's Reserve 10 so that's what's in my Manhattan. 

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

 

I'm wondering if anybody has ever ordered one with the mini bottle of booze stuck in it as was shown in the original pics posted online. I haven't seen a picture posted by anybody showing they had ordered one that way and I wonder if that is really an option and, if so, if it is included in the price. I thought it seemed odd that they showed them with bottles of liquor stuck in the top.

While I didn't order another sundae I did see this behind the counter.  

Red Velvet premium desert.  

5 hours ago, SmooshSmash said:

Thank you for the lovely TR and the pictures. Have you been around the retreat pool at deck 17? Do you know whether it is heated or not, or any of the pools for that matter?

Pool is heated, and the hot tubs are nice too!  Pool is not very deep, about 3 feet or so in the deep end. Not going to be swimming laps!  Hot tubs are above the pool on deck 18.

Gigi's is not very busy on a port day!  Insalata Mista and Minestrone. Then Pizza Hawaiian and Rolled Eggplant. 

Tenders out side of our cabin.

1 hour ago, Stosh68 said:

So the new app thinks I’m a child.  While my wife agrees, I’m locked out of ordering adult drinks via the app.  Front desk sent me to the medallion desk to fix it and they told me they’ve seen it quite often and had to submit tickets to app support.  

The app shows my medallion as being white which indicates a first time Princess cruiser.  This is cruise 21 on Princess for me.  

Dirty Bananas by the Retreat Pool.  Or as we call it the Funky Monkey drink. 

2 minutes ago, Thrak said:

 

I'm wondering if anybody has ever ordered one with the mini bottle of booze stuck in it as was shown in the original pics posted online. I haven't seen a picture posted by anybody showing they had ordered one that way and I wonder if that is really an option and, if so, if it is included in the price. I thought it seemed odd that they showed them with bottles of liquor stuck in the top.

Don't tempt me.