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QM2 Veranda Gone


canoncruiser
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I'm on my fave ship right now; we're in Southampton tomorrow. I tried to book lunch or dinner today

and was told that it was not available!!!!!! Mentioned this to my Wine Waiter who told me that the Veranda is no more AND there's to be s STEAK HOUSE!!!! Well really! A Steak House!

 

So Todd English lasted 10 years and the Veranda 2! Now I need to know who's idea this was-I suspect that more than half of the folks on a typical crossing have eaten steak a lot-some smart...s marketing type's idea no doubt. Or maybe I'm out of step-I would have thought that a smart place offering interesting cuisine would be better than a steak house.

 

I also have to note the the food in Britannia has 'slipped'. The offerings in King's Court are very good-what are others experiencing?:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

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Thanks for the report about the Verandah on QM2. As I mentioned on a previous thread that asked about the Verandah, the Cunard UK FAQ has contained this footnote at least since April teasing changes to the QM2 Verandah menu commencing tomorrow.

 

"Please note that The Verandah on Queen Mary 2 will be hosting an exciting new menu between 27 July and 8 September 2018, therefore reservations will be unavailable prior to travel. The full menu and reservations will be available to you once on board."

 

This note didn't really hint at an entire change of format to a steak house which is apparently in the works. I'll be interested to learn more about the details as they become available.

Edited by bluemarble
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Hello

 

I will be on the QM2 on August 3. Will check it out. It may be a welcomed change. Except for the second to the last night of the first fashion week crossing I never saw the Verandah crowded or even close to being crowded. I thought the atmosphere is boring with no buzz and hardly a draw.

 

Deck Chair.

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A "steak house"... why that is certainly novel and exciting. Why next they might introduce casino gambling on ocean liners or television.

 

I honestly think that imagination is the first thing one loses when working for Carnival. The company that remade the passenger industry has been sitting on its collective hands since QM2.

 

Instead of some boring American "steak house", one would think they would instead offer a seagoing version of Rules or Simpsons. Or indeed a proper Anglo-Indian restaurant. Or even more wonderful, how about recreating in decor and menu, the original 1969 Grill of QE2, all cool Britannia, Harvey Wallbangers and the stewards in the original ultra suede and "turtleneck" uniforms.

 

The Veranda was merely a recycled Grill menu. And we never cottoned to the phony airs of Todd English certainly when we were already in Queens Grill. Indeed, it was literally next door to our suite and we literally passed it by 35 times in six days.

 

But a "steak house" is.... deadly dull. I thought those went out around 1994 or should have.

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The german cunard site states an special menu to be available from July to September....

 

"Das Verandah Restaurant wird vom 28. Juli bis 7. September 2018 eine ganz neue Speisekarte zum Mittag- und Abendessen präsentieren. Mit Einflüssen von beiden Seiten des Atlantiks finden sich vielfältige Angebote auf der Karte wie zum Beispiel New York Strip Steak, Maine-Lobster, Alaska-Königskrabben, schottisches Dry Aged Beef, Salzwiesen-Lammkarree bis hin zu australischem Wagyu Beef. Die Entrees werden von raffinierten Vor- und Nachspeisen begleitet.

Dieses Angebot ist für Dinner-Reservierungen in dem oben genannten Zeitraum verfügbar und kann vor Reisebeginn gebucht werden. Reservierungen zum Lunch können an Bord vorgenommen werden. Das komplette Menü-Angebot erhalten Sie von Ihrem Maître d'hôtel an Bord."

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Cunard UK has the English version -

 

"The Verandah will be hosting an exciting new menu between 27th July and 7th September 2018 at lunch and dinner. Taking it's influence from both sides of the Atlantic, the new menu showcases Prime USDA grain finished New York Strip steak, Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab, alongside dishes celebrating British provenance such as Scotch grass fed dry aged beef and Salt Marsh lamb rack. Offerings from farther afield such as renowned Wagyu Beef from Australia also feature.

Delicious entrées are complimented with an array of appetisers including London Cure gin & tonic salmon and tea smoked duck. And there's even more temptation with mouth-watering desserts such as bourbon baba with Florida orange marmalade and melting toffee and peanut butter brownie sundae.

This offering will be available for dinner reservations made between the above dates and is pre-bookable. Lunch reservations are only available once you are onboard. Full menu details will be available from your Maitre D'Hotel during your voyage.

 

Lunch menu - $25 per person

Dinner menu - $39 per person"

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My husband was extremely disappointed with the Verandah in June - I was too full from the night before to accompany him - and he said it was unnecessarily heavy, full of cream and bordering on unpleasant. I have never rated it at all and far preferred Todd English.

 

So we shan’t miss it, though as a veggie I shan’t be frequenting a steak house either! Coriander will get our Diamond vouchers.

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Since reviews of The Verandah seem to be less than flattering then maybe change was needed but, seriously, a steak house :rolleyes:.

 

 

Personally, with so much food on offer on a cruise, I would love a restaurant serving innovative, 'cutting edge' small plates.

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Thanks for your report.

 

My experience is the same.

 

As to the steak house... it all depends on the food quality.

If Cunard is able to do something like Moderno on NCL that will be a marvel.

I found both Todd English and Verandah boring and uninviting.

Cafe Carinthia has a great potential (30% utilized).

 

Completely agree, on QM2 last year and noted that the quality in Britannia restaurant had slipped on the previous year, found the veranda lunch menu very gastro pub like. This year food on QE was much better overall at both venues.

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When we sailed on Holland America Line in btw the QE2 & QM2 several times we experienced the Pinnacle Grill, their version of Steakhouse/Fish Specialty restaurant.

 

It was very nice and sort of Grill type service. The menu and selection were very special and enjoyable from app to dessert. A once a cruise experience due to the surcharge.

 

Granted a Steakhouse would be different but as mentioned, when we were in Simpsons on the Strand the Prime Rib was exceptional. What a experience.

 

We too did not care for the Todd English or Verandah Restaurant at all. We did try them as a courtesy of being a Diamond WC member for a gratis lunch.

 

We still like the Britannia Restaurant and recently booking Club Britannia the last several times.

 

Good Luck to Cunard picking the right replacement.

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Hi,

 

I like the current decor of QM2's Verandah Restaurant and the fact that it was inspired by the Verandah Grill on the original Queen Mary (the circus paintings, etc.). However, I agree that the menu and food could be improved.

 

Yesterday, I made dinner reservations for the Queen Victoria's Verandah Restaurant for a cruise in late September. I wonder if there will be changes to the menu on the Queen Victoria.

 

Chuck

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Instead of some boring American "steak house", one would think they would instead offer a seagoing version of Rules or Simpsons.

 

Now that's an idea that I could really sink my teeth into.

 

I just hope that they don't use the new china that Simpsons has adopted nor put those ridiculous kinetic mirror sculptures in all of the windows!:eek:

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Contacted Cunard today asking what happens after the menu change on September 7th and all they would say is "More information on what happens after will be released closer to September, so keep your eyes pealed ".

 

We are on QM2 on October 18th that was reason for my enquiry but on VP Verandah is bookable in advance for $49 but doesnt give any inclination of menu or style.

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We visited Verandah on QE in 2015 and found it absolutely wonderful. Beautiful venue, amazing food and we had the time of our life. Fast forward to a trip to the same restaurant on QM2, the venue did not have the same joie de vie, the venue was not as special and we were not drawn to book a meal here. I was very suprised by this and wouldn't really want to eat here.

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Cunard UK has the English version -

 

"The Verandah will be hosting an exciting new menu between 27th July and 7th September 2018 at lunch and dinner. Taking it's influence from both sides of the Atlantic, the new menu showcases Prime USDA grain finished New York Strip steak, Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab, alongside dishes celebrating British provenance such as Scotch grass fed dry aged beef and Salt Marsh lamb rack. Offerings from farther afield such as renowned Wagyu Beef from Australia also feature.

Delicious entrées are complimented with an array of appetisers including London Cure gin & tonic salmon and tea smoked duck. And there's even more temptation with mouth-watering desserts such as bourbon baba with Florida orange marmalade and melting toffee and peanut butter brownie sundae.

This offering will be available for dinner reservations made between the above dates and is pre-bookable. Lunch reservations are only available once you are onboard. Full menu details will be available from your Maitre D'Hotel during your voyage.

 

Lunch menu - $25 per person

Dinner menu - $39 per person"

 

 

thankyou for that translation Hattie - my German has been a little poor ever since the war

Edited by roscoe39
grammer
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Thanks for the report. We'll see how this sorts out. Did not like Todd English, and did not like the Verandah, so we say "Buh-bye," since neither was worth the up-charge. Sadly I have low expectations for a steak house as it will probably be more of the same, old fashioned, old fashioned, old fashioned. Not at all like the inventive cuisine created in great restaurants in London, New York, or other great cities. Just a throwback to the 1950s, and not in a good way. Ooooo....I need to keep an open mind. So we will see.

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My wife and I never ate at the Veranda as we just couldn't find anything on the menu that we liked. I think that's our problem as we are not overly adventurous eaters (bone marrow...count me out). However a good steak, a really good steak, is something we both greatly enjoy. Sometimes traditional done great can be as enjoyable as new and creative. We sail on Sept 2nd and look forward to giving the new menu a try. Will report back our impressions.

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My wife and I never ate at the Veranda as we just couldn't find anything on the menu that we liked. I think that's our problem as we are not overly adventurous eaters (bone marrow...count me out). However a good steak, a really good steak, is something we both greatly enjoy. Sometimes traditional done great can be as enjoyable as new and creative. We sail on Sept 2nd and look forward to giving the new menu a try. Will report back our impressions.

 

 

September 2nd Fashion cruise ! .....you , I and Deck Chair should try to meet up onboard . ;)

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We'll be on a RT crossing starting 9 September, following the test period. I eagerly await news. Back in 2008, we enjoyed our dinner in Todd English very much (and the surcharge was probably $35 or so). The following year, we had lunch there and it was not good at all. (Very bad service, wrong orders, food still not very good once things were sorted). Last year, we tried the Veranda. Again the service was lacking. (The Maitre d' came to our table to apologize for the long delays from the kitchen, explaining that they were caught by unusual crowds, with an 8:00 reservation and the small dining room was never filled over the meal.) On top of that, the menu and plating was pretentious (a 7 course meal, IF you count the amuse bouche and palette cleansers, plating that would've wowed 'em in Peoria five years ago, but was at times, awkward to eat), for $75 pp.

 

I had NO plans to repeat our experience at the Vernada. Perhaps this will change the decision.

Edited by MarkBearSF
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