Carnival Legend Steakhouse and Food and Wine Pairing Review with Pics

[8esther8]

We just got off the New Year's Eve cruise Western Itinerary and thought some of you might enjoy some food porn pics and a review of the food at the Golden Fleece Steakhouse and the Food and Wine Pairing seminar they offered during the cruise. We had a wonderful time.

 

Let me introduce myself. My name is Leslie and I traveled with two of my sons, Alex (21) and Thomas (16). This was my 5th cruise, the fourth one with Carnival. This was the boy's fourth cruise. We tried Royal Caribbean last year, but felt that the difference in price wasn't worth it, and actually enjoyed the food on Carnival more. We all love to eat and all three of us are adventurous. Our favorite food on this cruise was the Octopus Ceviche we got ordered at Playa Bonita in Cozumel. I might throw in a picture of the ceviche if anyone is interested.

 

Here is a picture of the three of us:

 

 

We went to the steakhouse the first night, mainly because of suggestions on this board. The menu in the MDR for the first night did not look that compelling and we were interested in the free bottle of wine. They asked us if we wanted a red or a white, and when we mentioned the red, they opened a Merlot from Chile for us. I am not a wine connoisseur, but it was nice. Here's a picture of the Golden Fleece.

 

 

We began with two "amuse bouche". Alex and I received a small tasting of tomato bisque, and Thomas received a tiny little (what he thought was turkey) hamburger. The tomato bisque was nothing special. Just like tomato soup. Thomas said the little hamburger was amazing--the best he had ever had! He was so enthusiastic about it that we sheepishly asked the waiter if we could try a little hamburger, too. We received it a little later in the meal and it was tasty, but I think my expectations were a little high, lol.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[navybaby1113]

That hamburger is so cute!

[8esther8]

For appetizers, Thomas and I ordered the Lobster Bisque. Alex ordered the Beef Carpaccio. Honestly, I was disappointed in the Lobster Bisque. So was Thomas. It was quite thin, and I prefer a thicker bisque. The top was garnished with puff pastry rounds which gave a nice crunch, and helped, but I wouldn't order it again. I probably would have picked the crab cakes or escargot had I known. Alex said the beef carpaccio was okay, but he was being adventurous since he had never had it before. The dish in general did not turn out to be one of his favorites, and he said he wouldn't order it again.

 

 

 

 

 

Alex and Thomas ordered the Caesar Salad; I ordered the Baby Spinach and Mushroom Salad. They ordered the Caesar Salad with anchovies, which apparently very few do. It was *fantastic*. My salad was okay. It had lots of blue cheese in the dressing which I think overpowered the rest of the salad. I was sorry I didn't get the Caesar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[8esther8]

[navybaby1113]

I've tasted the spinach salad at the food demonstration and I agree that it is overpowered with the blue cheese.

[tinkerbell_82]

Awesome- thank you for doing this! We've been on the fence on booking the steakhouse and you're helping us decide. :)

[LOVECRUISING100%]

Looks Yummy !!

[t1adams]

Yum! Can't wait to see more!:D

[8esther8]

The service was impeccable. The atmosphere is lovely. The entrees were unbelievable. I ordered the Spice-Rubbed Prime Ribeye, based on some of the suggestions on this board. It was hands down the most wonderful steak that any of us have had. And it's huge. I gave large pieces to both of them. It was very flavorful and fantastic with the bearnaise sauce. I had the creamed spinach on the side. Thomas had the Surf and Turf. He likewise, loved it. He was very, very happy. The lobster was moist and tender, the filet mignon as well. Alex ordered the Lobster Ravioli. After tasting mine, he was sorry he had ordered it. It was good, just not as good as the steak. Everyone loved my steak.

 

Lobster Ravioli

 

Surf and Turf

 

Spice Rubbed Prime Ribeye

Edited January 10, 2013 by 8esther8

[8esther8]

Again, based on what everyone on the boards said, we ALL ordered the Chocolate Sampler. It is truly a work of art. Both boys said it may have been one of the best desserts they had ever had. (This statement after a $640. meal in Miami the night before. My dad's gift. $640 for 4 people. Crazy.) Everyone was correct. It's full of flavor- tiramisu, banana pannacota, freshly made raspberry sorbet...fantastic. The presentation is beautiful. I highly recommend it. Can you see the sugar "glass" and the toffee brittle garnishes? So lovely.

 

 

 

[8esther8]

I thought I'd post the current menus at the steakhouse, and tomorrow I'll post the Food and Wine Pairing Review.

 

 

 

Edited January 10, 2013 by 8esther8

[navybaby1113]

Everything looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!

 

We're debating on booking the steakhouse for our upcoming cruise, but there's not a single thing on the appetizer menu that DH will eat (he's pretty picky), so I'm not sure if we want to spend the money or not.

[jimbo5544]

Thanks for sharing! Will be on her next month and will def visit the steakhouse!

[beach410]

Love pictures of food and the Legend is on my bucket list, thanks for sharing! Are you going to give an overall review?

[Jasonmom]

Thank you for review. Look forward to the rest.

[Kilroy]

That ribeye looks awesome. Looks like whole bulb of garlic on top!

 

Looks much better than Chops on RCCL. They have no ribeye. That, in my mind, disqualifies them as a real steakhouse.

 

I have never been on a Carnival shop with this restaurant. We get a lot of the smaller ships in Tampa due to the Sunshine Skyway bridge.

[Mulege]

. (This statement after a $640. meal in Miami the night before. My dad's gift. $640 for 4 people. Crazy.)

 

 

Sounds like maybe you went to Joe's in South Beach?

[tandemcruzr]

I have never been on a Carnival shop with this restaurant. We get a lot of the smaller ships in Tampa due to the Sunshine Skyway bridge.

 

The Legend sails from Tampa.

[KORTAM]

I loved the spinach salad. I love blue cheese as well but didn't think it was over powering. I also thought the lobster bisque was amazing, I don't remember it being runny either. I'm sure there's a small varionce of preperation from chef/ship to chef/ship. The lobster raviolies look really good, I just can't Bering my self to order something like that when its a stake house. I wonder if you could order the 5 spice on the filet. Thanks for the pics and review.

[Lozzanz]

I cant wait to try... but

 

My wife is vegetarian with no eggs. Does anyone know if the steakhouse offer vegetarian options?

 

Thanks

 

Laurence

[DEBnGAB]

I cant wait to try... but

 

My wife is vegetarian with no eggs. Does anyone know if the steakhouse offer vegetarian options?

 

Thanks

 

Laurence

 

Yes, talk to the Steakhouse manager and they will certainly accomodate you.

[8esther8]

. (This statement after a $640. meal in Miami the night before. My dad's gift. $640 for 4 people. Crazy.)

 

 

Sounds like maybe you went to Joe's in South Beach?

 

 

No, it was Romeo's in Coral Gables. The chef comes to your table and makes a five course meal uniquely for your table. Amazing food, but I would never pay that much...Salmon Ceviche, Fois Gras Risotto, Fettucine with Rabbit, Duck with Raspberry Sauce and a Chocolate Souffle. The service is top notch as well.

[Cyber Kat]

We ate in the steakhouse on the Miracle and loved it. I had the Ahi Tuna Tartare and it was fabulous! One of the best things I've ever eaten - and I'm a foodie. We're sailing on the Splendor in June (same cruise, different ship) and I can't wait to eat in the steakhouse again. I don't think I had soup, but I think I had the tomato salad. I did have the surf & turf and both the filet and the lobster tail were excellent. My sister I had the Chocolate Sampler and I concur - it was awesome! I wish I could have started with that because I was kind of full, but I ate every bite!

 

I thought the steakhouse was well worth the extra charge. The meal compared easily to ones we've had at Morton's for a LOT more. We plan to go more than once on the Splendor.

[DEBnGAB]

We ate in the steakhouse on the Miracle and loved it. I had the Ahi Tuna Tartare and it was fabulous! One of the best things I've ever eaten - and I'm a foodie. We're sailing on the Splendor in June (same cruise, different ship) and I can't wait to eat in the steakhouse again. I don't think I had soup, but I think I had the tomato salad. I did have the surf & turf and both the filet and the lobster tail were excellent. My sister I had the Chocolate Sampler and I concur - it was awesome! I wish I could have started with that because I was kind of full, but I ate every bite!

 

I thought the steakhouse was well worth the extra charge. The meal compared easily to ones we've had at Morton's for a LOT more. We plan to go more than once on the Splendor.

 

The Ahi Tuna Tartare was excellent on the Splendor..just had it last week. Also very good on the Breeze..hands down my favorite app in the Steakhouse and rivals the Filet for my favorite selection.

[8esther8]

On the first sea day (for us it was New Year's Eve) a Food and Wine Pairing activity was offered in the afternoon, I believe at 2:00 pm (if someone is interested in looking for it in the Funtimes). The cost is $15. per person. Alex and I went. He's really getting into wine and planning to do a year abroad in Italy next fall. This was right up his alley.

 

You really won't get much food ;) But you will receive 5 glasses of wine, each about a third full. The event lasted about an hour and I highly recommend it. Of course, if you are a wine expert this might be too elementary for you. But for the rest of us, I promise you will learn something. The host was a sommelier from Estonia. (I don't remember her name, but you'll see her in the picture below. Here are the first few pictures...

 

Wine Pairing Layout