Vegetarians in the Pinnacle

[mahassiddasairy]

Have any vegetarians ever eaten in the Pinnacle? Are the only options those sad little vegetable skewers (honestly, everyone else gets skewers with things like lemon and garlic and honey and onion confit, and we get some dried herbs de provence topping that I can buy myself at Wal*Mart), or is there a special vegetarian menu that just doesn't get posted?

 

(Sorry, just a little bitter about not being able to join in on the tastiness.)

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

Hi

 

I asked a similar question a few months ago and got lots of useful information - shown in link below ;)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1057830

[mahassiddasairy]

Thanks for the link!

 

But sigh...looks like they're trying to pawn us off with some vegetables on a plate. I don't understand why chefs always think "Vegetarian! Of course all they can eat is a pile of sauteed vegetables!" How about some inventive curries, or Italian dishes, or vegetarian stews, or tasty bean dishes, or, or, or...

 

Oh, well, the main dining room looks delicious, so who needs the Pinnacle?

[Roz]

Because it's a steakhouse.....

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

Because it's a steakhouse.....

 

Very true!!! LOL :D

[mahassiddasairy]

That's true. But it's also the only "fancy" restaurant on the ship. It would be one thing if they had a steakhouse and an alternative option, but they're telling passengers "Hey, you want to eat some really great food in a nice setting on your vacation? Oh, except you vegetarians, we mean..."

[Luke Warmwater]

Most people understand that vegetarians are those who do not eat meat, as opposed to those who never eat something which has a face (including fish). Vegetarians number about 6% of the population in civilised western countries. That is just above the level at which they may be considered, in statistical terms, insignificant. Consequently, for such a minority group, there is a nodding acceptance and the odd specialist dish. It is unreasonable and uneconomic to cater extensively for a group who have intentionally separated themselves from the rest of society and consequently restrict their menus and the choice of offering they will accept. Chefs make as much allowance for them as any other minority group. A specialist fine dining restaurant, by cruise ship standards, does not lend itself to such things. An analogy is that I could decide, for whatever reason, never to wear shoes ever again. I would not complain because I wanted to run a marathon and the organisers did not lay foam rubber along the entire route. I know what to expect if I let myself in for something. The same goes for cruising.

[fridaythecat.u.k.]

Most people understand that vegetarians are those who do not eat meat, as opposed to those who never eat something which has a face (including fish). Vegetarians number about 6% of the population in civilised western countries. That is just above the level at which they may be considered, in statistical terms, insignificant. Consequently, for such a minority group, there is a nodding acceptance and the odd specialist dish. It is unreasonable and uneconomic to cater extensively for a group who have intentionally separated themselves from the rest of society and consequently restrict their menus and the choice of offering they will accept. Chefs make as much allowance for them as any other minority group. A specialist fine dining restaurant, by cruise ship standards, does not lend itself to such things. An analogy is that I could decide, for whatever reason, never to wear shoes ever again. I would not complain because I wanted to run a marathon and the organisers did not lay foam rubber along the entire route. I know what to expect if I let myself in for something. The same goes for cruising.

 

Wow, so serious for what was a reasonably light hearted thread ;) But I disagree with your first sentence - I have been a vegetarian for 22 years and most people that I have come across during that time understand that a vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat or fish. You do get people who label themselves as "vegetarian" who then say they eat fish (and then even sometimes go on to say they eat chicken and other white meats as well :eek:), but these are people who have chosen not to eat meat, they are not vegetarians. :)

[mahassiddasairy]

"Vegetarians" who eat fish are actually pescetarians, but it sounds so pretentious to say that nobody ever does, especially since they'd end up having to explain anyway. While I would not expect a land-based steakhouse to offer veggie options, I do think that a cruiseline's only specialty restaurant should offer a vegetarian-friendly entree which is comparable in experience to the meat options. A tasty vegetable risotto, for instance, would probably tempt meat-eaters as well.

[Krazy Kruizers]

"Vegetarians" who eat fish are actually pescetarians, but it sounds so pretentious to say that nobody ever does, especially since they'd end up having to explain anyway. While I would not expect a land-based steakhouse to offer veggie options, I do think that a cruiseline's only specialty restaurant should offer a vegetarian-friendly entree which is comparable in experience to the meat options. A tasty vegetable risotto, for instance, would probably tempt meat-eaters as well.

 

If you know what night you will be dining at the Pinnacle -- why not stop by the evening before and talk to the manager there and ask for something special to be made for you? They do that in the dining room -- and it won't hurt to ask if they can do it for you in the Pinnacle. I can't believe that they would say "no" to you.

[bulgargirl]

"Vegetarians" who eat fish are actually pescetarians, but it sounds so pretentious to say that nobody ever does, especially since they'd end up having to explain anyway. While I would not expect a land-based steakhouse to offer veggie options, I do think that a cruiseline's only specialty restaurant should offer a vegetarian-friendly entree which is comparable in experience to the meat options. A tasty vegetable risotto, for instance, would probably tempt meat-eaters as well.

 

I agree with you. People who aren't vegetarians and who do eat meat don't eat meat all the time. I've yet to eat a meat eater who hasn't tried things like mac n cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich. We might be a minority, but many of the things we eat are eaten by the majority too.

 

And yes, a vegetarian friendly option in the ship's only upscale alternative would be nice.

[mahassiddasairy]

If you know what night you will be dining at the Pinnacle -- why not stop by the evening before and talk to the manager there and ask for something special to be made for you? They do that in the dining room -- and it won't hurt to ask if they can do it for you in the Pinnacle. I can't believe that they would say "no" to you.

 

I might just sneak away from my husband and do this (he hates asking if things that aren't on a menu are available). We never eat at upscale restaurants at home, because of the price, and would really like to experience it on the cruise. Alternatively, do you happen to know if the lunch menu differs from the dinner? I've seen nicer restaurants offer things like an upscale grilled cheese and tomato soup, so maybe something like that is available.

[mahassiddasairy]

I've yet to eat a meat eater...

 

Maybe we should lobby for canabalist options as well? :)

[cavecreekguy]

That's true. But it's also the only "fancy" restaurant on the ship. It would be one thing if they had a steakhouse and an alternative option, but they're telling passengers "Hey, you want to eat some really great food in a nice setting on your vacation? Oh, except you vegetarians, we mean..."

 

I admit I've not sailed HAL yet so don't really know about the MDR, but on the other lines I've been on I found the main dining room to be "fancy" enough and wouldn't really care if they didn't have a venue such as PG.

 

I agree to go talk with them the evening before. But of course, maybe what they can do still isn't "fancy" enough.

[bulgargirl]

Maybe we should lobby for canabalist options as well? :)

 

Lol. Oops.

[happyglobetrotter]

[Has anyone ever ordered or eaten....the whole portion of their 22 oz steak. Incredible, this is the same amount of meat in one meal that some people in poor countries eat in one year !:eek:

[mahassiddasairy]

[Has anyone ever ordered or eaten....the whole portion of their 22 oz steak. Incredible, this is the same amount of meat in one meal that some people in poor countries eat in one year !:eek:

 

I wonder if the PG will give you a doggie bag? I'd hate to order such a big entree and not be able to fit in dessert.

[mahassiddasairy]

[Has anyone ever ordered or eaten....the whole portion of their 22 oz steak. Incredible, this is the same amount of meat in one meal that some people in poor countries eat in one year !:eek:

 

I wonder if the PG will give you a doggie bag? I'd hate to order such a big entree and not be able to fit in dessert.

[fann1sh]

I'm not a committed, ethical vegetarian - just someone who doesn't care for meat.

 

I've had some spectacular dishes off the vegetarian menu in the main dining room - ragouts and mild curries. Sorry to be unhelpful, but I don't remember the names of any of those dishes. But, if you find items on the MDR vegetarian menu you like, you can get them served in the Pinnacle - same galley - so tell your husband not to fuss, just arrange that through the Maitre D'.

 

And I also agree with KK's excellent suggestion. Anything you'd like "whipped up", I bet they'd accommodate that as well.

[Desdemona01]

I've been a vegetarian (yes, a REAL one) for over 20 years and my DH is not. We booked the Pinnacle on the first night of one of our crusies--6pm. I knew that they were offering a mushroom ravioli that was veg-friendly. After being seated and attempting to order I was told that they were already "out of" the mushroom dish. I was offered fish. Repeatedly. When we were quietly standing to leave someone sent for the chef and he asked about my dining preferences. He made a pasta dish for me that was very good, but no better than anything we've had in the MDR. My DH also did not feel that his meal was any better than what he'd been having in the MDR. So, we have not returned to the Pinnacle since then.

 

I've always enjoyed HAL's wonderful MDR Vegetarian menu and offerings in the Lido. Unfortunately, our most recent cruise was the worst experience I've had. Finding a meat-free pasta dish for lunch in the Lido became very difficult and in the evening we were stuck with AYW dining, which makes ordering from the vegetarian menu really not worth the effort. With fixed dining I am able to order my entree the night before and it arrives with the entrees for the rest of the table. With AYW it's delayed and the few times I tried the delay was not worth it. Plus, the MDR stewards were less than pleased to have this additional wrinkle added to their already overloaded workload. This was also the first cruise where a veg-friendly option was not offered on the MDR menu each night which resulted in our dining in the Lido at night more than we'd prefer.

 

To equate vegetarianism with deciding to not wear shoes is ignorant. People become vegetarians for many different reasons, but medical studies continue to show the healthy benefits of such a diet. I have seen the meat-free offerings in supermarkets and most restaurants skyrocket so I doubt that we are the insignificant minority as some would insinuate.

[Krazy Kruizers]

[Has anyone ever ordered or eaten....the whole portion of their 22 oz steak. Incredible, this is the same amount of meat in one meal that some people in poor countries eat in one year !:eek:

 

We have never ordered the 22 ounce steak -- we prefer the petite fillet -- and even then with appetizer, sometimes salad, side dish and dessert -- we have trouble eating all of that.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I wonder if the PG will give you a doggie bag? I'd hate to order such a big entree and not be able to fit in dessert.

 

The Pinnacle used to give doggy bags. But some cabins on some of the ships do not have refrigerators and those that do have refrigerators -- do not keep the meat properly chilled -- some people got sick.

So no more doggy bags.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I might just sneak away from my husband and do this (he hates asking if things that aren't on a menu are available). We never eat at upscale restaurants at home, because of the price, and would really like to experience it on the cruise. Alternatively, do you happen to know if the lunch menu differs from the dinner? I've seen nicer restaurants offer things like an upscale grilled cheese and tomato soup, so maybe something like that is available.

 

Pinnacle Lunch Menu

Menu - $10 per person.

Starters:

1)Grilled Prawn Bruschetta with a primavera salsa - aged asiago cheese and balsamic fusion

2)Mediterranean antipasto plate - pesto virgin olive oil

3)Scallops creme brulee - caramelized parmesean wafer

4)Northwest five onion soup - tomato shallot soubise

5)Chilled carrot and ginger soup - creme faiche and fried sage

6)Chiffanade of greens and tomato tower salad - Italian vinaigritte

Entrees:

1)Pacific rim beef salad - mesclun leaves, mangoes and lotus fruit

2)Alaskan halibut fillet sandwich - sour dough bread, cilantro relish and cucumber potato salad

3)Crab and shrimp cake - exotic fruit chutney, lime Thai curry sauce and orange rice with pine nuts

4)The Pinnacle burger - apple smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and bistro style shoestring potatoes. This dish can be served with a low carb bun and without the potatoes.

5)Sterling silver beef tenderloin with Oregon blue cheese crust - grilled asparagus and scalloped potatoes

6)Penne with grilled chicken breast, lemon basil sauce, sun dried tomatoes and arugula

7)Vegetarian couscous - grilled vegetables and fried mint leaves and harissa

[mahassiddasairy]

That couscous sounds delicious...lunch it is, then.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That couscous sounds delicious...lunch it is, then.

 

Lunch does sound more vegetarian friendly.

Enjoy!!