cravingthis

Part 4: Day 2 Giovanni's with New Friends

 

When I heard that Giovanni’s in Central Park was a “family style” restaurant, I have to say, I was a little disappointed. As I said to start this review (or guide), I eat at nice restaurants. New York City has some of the greatest Italian restaurants in the world. And those restaurants vary their cuisine from Northern, to Southern, to Continental with Italian style, there’s even one we frequent that’s Roman Jewish style. And of course there are family style places. I have no problem with family style, it has its place. I just wondered if a nice dinner on a cruise ship is the place for it.

 

Well, this isn’t like any family style Italian restaurant I’ve ever eaten at! I think they should drop that, because it’s a misnomer. Just say, “sharing is encouraged.” That would be enough. As I said in the previous part, Rachelle and Jackie joined us for dinner. We all arrived together just before 6:30 and the host looked at us a little funny. I think they knew I had changed my reservation to 6:30, but I think they weren’t really sure that the four of us were eating together. It wasn’t a problem and less than a minute later the four of us were sitting down for our meal.

 

The confusion in calling it, “family style,” is the thinking that you NEED to order that way, as a group. That the plates will be put down in the center of the table and you share. This was not the case.

 

We ordered the Caprese Salad, which says for 2, for the four of us. We each got our own plate. That was wonderful, but if I knew that could be the case we may have ordered differently. Not that we needed to order differently. Mostly I’m warning you, future diner at Giovanni’s, that if you want something, order it. Don’t worry about the “family style” thing. The salad was very good, typical Caprese, fresh and delicious. The basil was very flavorful.

 

My wife and Jackie ordered the Cioppino, which was lovely. The seafood was fresh and the presentation, pouring the broth over the seafood and bread, was spot on. Very flavorful, it had an ocean taste without being fishy.

 

For our pasta course we decided on 3 pastas. We knew it was too much for the four of us, but we REALLY wanted to try them all. So we ordered the 3 plates. I wanted the Maryland Crab Ravioli, we agreed on the Gnocchi with the Lamb Sauce and Jackie really wanted the Pappardelle. The Pappardelle was in a cream sauce and I’m not big on cream sauces, but we had 3 dishes and it would give me a chance to try it out.

 

The Ravioli was nice, but perhaps a little disappointing. It was sitting in what I would describe as a thickened broth. It was good, but I’ve had better. The Gnocchi was delicious! Little pillows of goodness, just like gnocchi should be. And the sauce? Wow, such great lamb flavor. My mouth waters thinking about it. But the surprise of the night? The Pappardelle! Wonderful dish! So flavorful. Get this dish! Get THIS dish! Others mentioned it to us when talking about Giovanni’s during the week. Nice call, Jackie!

 

Finally, three of us ordered the Filet Mignon and Jackie wanted the Ossobuco. Again, I figured it was a sharing situation, but each of us got our own Filet. Too much food, but it didn’t stop me from finishing. :D It came with French Fries. And they were delicious! Or could it be that I’ve been avoiding Fries for so long? We also ordered the Shrimp dish, which was put down in the center and we each had one. That was a nice little addition. However, once again, Jackie trumped us. The Ossobuco was the dish of the night. Actually, I didn’t try it, but I could tell by her reaction and Rachelle, who had both, declared it the winner!

 

For dessert my wife and Rachelle had the Doughnuts in Chocolate Sauce. Not sure what Rachelle thought, but my wife was disappointed. I had the Flourless Chocolate Cake, which was nice, and I’m not sure what Jackie had. We also shared a nice bottle of dessert wine after the ladies shared one of the bottles from their wine package with us. All in all, a GREAT dinner and so nice making new friends. We were worried that this would be more difficult since we weren’t eating in the MDR. But Cruise Critic made that easier!

 

Jackie and Rachelle at Giovanni’s with us.

 

My wife and me, seconds later.

 

Next Part - Part 5: Park Café and Chef's Table!

 

(next part won't be till at least tomorrow morning)

 

The dinner is $15 per person, is that correct? So you are allowed to order several entrees for just $15? If so, my husband (huge appetite), will be happy to hear that.

[quote name='BrianAlt'][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][B]Part 4: Day 2 Giovanni's with New Friends[/B][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]When I heard that [B]Giovanni’s[/B] in [B]Central Park[/B] was a “family style” restaurant, I have to say, I was a little disappointed. As I said to start this review (or guide), I eat at nice restaurants. New York City has some of the greatest Italian restaurants in the world. And those restaurants vary their cuisine from Northern, to Southern, to Continental with Italian style, there’s even one we frequent that’s Roman Jewish style. And of course there are family style places. I have no problem with family style, it has its place. I just wondered if a nice dinner on a cruise ship is the place for it.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Well, this isn’t like any family style Italian restaurant I’ve ever eaten at! I think they should drop that, because it’s a misnomer. Just say, “sharing is encouraged.” That would be enough. As I said in the previous part, Rachelle and Jackie joined us for dinner. We all arrived together just before 6:30 and the host looked at us a little funny. I think they knew I had changed my reservation to 6:30, but I think they weren’t really sure that the four of us were eating together. It wasn’t a problem and less than a minute later the four of us were sitting down for our meal.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The confusion in calling it, “family style,” is the thinking that you NEED to order that way, as a group. That the plates will be put down in the center of the table and you share. This was not the case.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]We ordered the Caprese Salad, which says for 2, for the four of us. We each got our own plate. That was wonderful, but if I knew that could be the case we may have ordered differently. Not that we needed to order differently. Mostly I’m warning you, future diner at Giovanni’s, that if you want something, order it. Don’t worry about the “family style” thing. The salad was very good, typical Caprese, fresh and delicious. The basil was very flavorful.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]My wife and Jackie ordered the Cioppino, which was lovely. The seafood was fresh and the presentation, pouring the broth over the seafood and bread, was spot on. Very flavorful, it had an ocean taste without being fishy.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]For our pasta course we decided on 3 pastas. We knew it was too much for the four of us, but we REALLY wanted to try them all. So we ordered the 3 plates. I wanted the Maryland Crab Ravioli, we agreed on the Gnocchi with the Lamb Sauce and Jackie really wanted the Pappardelle. The Pappardelle was in a cream sauce and I’m not big on cream sauces, but we had 3 dishes and it would give me a chance to try it out.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The Ravioli was nice, but perhaps a little disappointing. It was sitting in what I would describe as a thickened broth. It was good, but I’ve had better. The Gnocchi was delicious! Little pillows of goodness, just like gnocchi should be. And the sauce? Wow, such great lamb flavor. My mouth waters thinking about it. But the surprise of the night? The Pappardelle! Wonderful dish! So flavorful. Get this dish! Get THIS dish! Others mentioned it to us when talking about Giovanni’s during the week. Nice call, Jackie![/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Finally, three of us ordered the Filet Mignon and Jackie wanted the Ossobuco. Again, I figured it was a sharing situation, but each of us got our own Filet. Too much food, but it didn’t stop me from finishing. :D It came with French Fries. And they were delicious! Or could it be that I’ve been avoiding Fries for so long? We also ordered the Shrimp dish, which was put down in the center and we each had one. That was a nice little addition. However, once again, Jackie trumped us. The Ossobuco was the dish of the night. Actually, I didn’t try it, but I could tell by her reaction and Rachelle, who had both, declared it the winner![/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]For dessert my wife and Rachelle had the Doughnuts in Chocolate Sauce. Not sure what Rachelle thought, but my wife was disappointed. I had the Flourless Chocolate Cake, which was nice, and I’m not sure what Jackie had. We also shared a nice bottle of dessert wine after the ladies shared one of the bottles from their wine package with us. All in all, a GREAT dinner and so nice making new friends. We were worried that this would be more difficult since we weren’t eating in the MDR. But Cruise Critic made that easier![/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/brianalt/Cruise10/fb69a182.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Jackie and Rachelle at Giovanni’s with us.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][IMG]http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/brianalt/Cruise10/8962fda3.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]My wife and me, seconds later.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Next Part - [B]Part 5: Park [FONT=Times New Roman]Café and Chef's Table![/FONT][/B][/FONT][/SIZE]

(next part won't be till at least tomorrow morning)[/quote]

The dinner is $15 per person, is that correct? So you are allowed to order several entrees for just $15? If so, my husband (huge appetite), will be happy to hear that.

Pizzeria is located above the cabin 8384-- you want to avoid cabins that may be under the kitchens of this area.

 

It has been reported many times that staying on this deck UNDER the pool area you hear scrapings of chairs. SOme people hear it--some others dont.

SOrry you didnt know.

Next cruise please make sure your cabin is located between decks of cabin space and away frompublic areas.

 

Hi Serene,

We're looking at Oasis of the Seas and having a hard time picking a stateroom. We know we want an ocean view balcony.

 

How do you know if there is a restaurant above your cabin? Are you looking at the deck plan, is that how you know? Sorry, newbie here. Also, would you know if the middle of the ship, about the middle deck would be better for motion sickness?

 

With thanks!! So overwhelming!