Giovanni's Table Lunch Review

[Steeler Nation At Sea]

Wow, I wish I had known that. I was under the impression that you're not supposed to order more than one entrée, but people had gotten away with it in the past. If I thought at all that there was the possibility of it being acceptable to order a pasta and an entrée from the second page, I certainly would have done so. I just didn't want to bother asking at the time. I will certainly ask on my next cruise.

 

Aw. I feel badly that your server did not suggest it! It's been almost a year since I've been there so maybe it has changed (cutbacks) or maybe lunch is different.

 

Next time you go, be sure to look inside. They have the traditional prosciutto slicer set up with the whole ham on it. Makes me feel like I'm in Italy. The other thing to try next time is the tiramisu! Very good. My DD who never passes it up anywhere we eat thinks it's the best she has ever had.

[denamo]

In light of the positive responses I got for my Chef's Table review, I decided to share my most recent review of another Royal Caribbean venue, Giovanni's Table. I had lunch during embarkation for my Allure cruise this past may.

 

I'm currently working on a 150 Central Park review which I hope to have posted in about a week.

 

Here is the link to the Giovanni's table review: http://kleenplate.net/2014/09/12/giovannis-table/

 

Thanks so much for posting this review! Was totally absorbed by your Chef's Table review and look forward to the 150 Central Park one.

 

Don't know why, but our experience with Giovanni's on the Allure has been the least favorite of the Giovanni's on Royal's ships. Noting your lasagna, other ships do have more meat. We did not even bother to eat there on our August cruise since our last experience was so disappointing (i.e. waiting forever for courses...30 - 45 min., incorrect items once arriving, and barely warm to cold). It's something that needs to be fixed since seeing others here on CC with the same experiences.

 

Thanks again for your review.

[dacsmom]

That is incorrect, you can make reservations for lunch, and that's exactly what I did. I booked 3 (I think) reservations a few weeks before boarding, and Giovanni's Lunch on boarding day was one of them. After lunch, I went to speak with someone to reserve the rest of the week's meals at specialty restaurants. That night I had an OBC for the reservations I booked at home before the trip ($30% of the price I paid for the 3 prior booked restaurants), and every meal thereafter was discounted by 30% at the time of payment after the meal.

 

This has changed since you were aboard the Allure, you cannot book Giovanni's for lunch anymore before you board.

[secret1122]

Aw. I feel badly that your server did not suggest it! It's been almost a year since I've been there so maybe it has changed (cutbacks) or maybe lunch is different.

 

Next time you go, be sure to look inside. They have the traditional prosciutto slicer set up with the whole ham on it. Makes me feel like I'm in Italy. The other thing to try next time is the tiramisu! Very good. My DD who never passes it up anywhere we eat thinks it's the best she has ever had.

I can say after two meals at Giovanni's this past cruise, the prosciutto slicer is no longer used, it just sits on display in the restaurant (this is what I was told by our server on my cruise in May, I don't know if things have changed since).

 

I'm not a real fan of tiramisu, so I never order it. Too cake-like, and too plain for my tastes.

 

Thanks so much for posting this review! Was totally absorbed by your Chef's Table review and look forward to the 150 Central Park one.

 

Don't know why, but our experience with Giovanni's on the Allure has been the least favorite of the Giovanni's on Royal's ships. Noting your lasagna, other ships do have more meat. We did not even bother to eat there on our August cruise since our last experience was so disappointing (i.e. waiting forever for courses...30 - 45 min., incorrect items once arriving, and barely warm to cold). It's something that needs to be fixed since seeing others here on CC with the same experiences.

 

Thanks again for your review.

Don't get too excited for the 150 review. I'm getting close to finishing, but I'm afraid my notes on the food were not too extensive as I had a lot going on with taking care of the little one. I think I put more detail into the atmosphere than the food. I was unable to take photos in the same fashion that I normally do, and only have some full photos of the entire plates, as opposed to my usual closeups. I'm doing my best with what I have after the fact.

 

Based on your comment, I may give the lasagna another shot if I have lunch there on a different ship, especially if Steeler Nation At Sea's comment that I can order from both the entrée and pasta section is true.

[secret1122]

This has changed since you were aboard the Allure, you cannot book Giovanni's for lunch anymore before you board.

I guess I've been out of the loop since my cruise. This is disappointing to hear. Can you still have lunch upon boarding or is boarding day lunch completely over? If I can't book it ahead of time, but can still stop by, that would be fine with me as I'm usually one of the first on the ship.

[ARCruisinNana]

I am currently sailing on Oasis and had lunch at GT yesterday. No problem ordering a pasta course and an entree. I think it's expected that you will do that. I had the lasagna and enjoyed it.

 

 

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[Natmom]

Thank you for your detailed review! I have celiac disease and I love hearing about gluten free food. My husband and I are booked on the oasis in May and I have been stressing about having decent food to eat. How did your wife find the rest of the food on the cruise ship?

[Jobeth66]

I guess I've been out of the loop since my cruise. This is disappointing to hear. Can you still have lunch upon boarding or is boarding day lunch completely over? If I can't book it ahead of time, but can still stop by, that would be fine with me as I'm usually one of the first on the ship.

 

Still open for lunch, just no reservations taken, it's first-come, first-serve.

[secret1122]

Thank you for your detailed review! I have celiac disease and I love hearing about gluten free food. My husband and I are booked on the oasis in May and I have been stressing about having decent food to eat. How did your wife find the rest of the food on the cruise ship?

I'm not sure if you meant this literally or not. If you're asking how she actually found the food, it's just a matter of checking for the gluten-free symbol on the menus, or if it's a counter service area, you just have to ask what's gluten-free and they'll be more than accommodating.

 

I have a feeling what you may have actually been asking, was how did she like the food? Well, for the most part, she couldn't tell the difference since many times it's just a main dish that the rest of us eat that never had gluten in the first place. Other times a "glutinated" ingredient may have been subbed out for a gluten-free ingredient. In this case, the meal itself may have tasted different than the normal version, but not necessarily worse. The times we noticed it the most was when there was a bread product involved. As with most gluten-free breads using recipes from the original days of gluten-free baking, the breads are more dense, and sometimes have that grittier texture. However, there have been some items that were improved and we could barely tell the difference.

 

We could notice it with the gluten-free pizza crust at Sorrento's, and if the bread service brought us gluten-free breads that were made on board, generally we could tell they were different. Not necessarily bad, just different (ok, maybe not quite as good).

 

There were also times like you saw in my review, where a pre-packaged item from Udi's or Enjoy Life would be brought out. We both find Udi's to be obvious in the gluten-free taste, but Enjoy Life makes some pretty good products that are tough to notice any difference from their normal version.

 

Many desserts on the ship may be gluten-free from the beginning. As I show in this review, that tart was primarily gluten-free (with the exception of that one thin layer). In this case I could tell the difference by taste, but when it comes to some desserts, I personally sometimes prefer the gluten-free version since their denser texture makes them more filling, so a little goes a long way.

 

The short answer is that it's an even mix of obvious and not as good, nothing changed since it was originally gluten-free by nature, and I can tell it's gluten-free, but it's just as good as the regular version.

 

Still open for lunch, just no reservations taken, it's first-come, first-serve.

Thanks for the info. I think this may be my new go-to boarding day lunch, especially knowing I can order both a pasta and an entrée.

[Natmom]

I'm not sure if you meant this literally or not. If you're asking how she actually found the food, it's just a matter of checking for the gluten-free symbol on the menus, or if it's a counter service area, you just have to ask what's gluten-free and they'll be more than accommodating.

 

I have a feeling what you may have actually been asking, was how did she like the food? Well, for the most part, she couldn't tell the difference since many times it's just a main dish that the rest of us eat that never had gluten in the first place. Other times a "glutinated" ingredient may have been subbed out for a gluten-free ingredient. In this case, the meal itself may have tasted different than the normal version, but not necessarily worse. The times we noticed it the most was when there was a bread product involved. As with most gluten-free breads using recipes from the original days of gluten-free baking, the breads are more dense, and sometimes have that grittier texture. However, there have been some items that were improved and we could barely tell the difference.

 

We could notice it with the gluten-free pizza crust at Sorrento's, and if the bread service brought us gluten-free breads that were made on board, generally we could tell they were different. Not necessarily bad, just different (ok, maybe not quite as good).

 

There were also times like you saw in my review, where a pre-packaged item from Udi's or Enjoy Life would be brought out. We both find Udi's to be obvious in the gluten-free taste, but Enjoy Life makes some pretty good products that are tough to notice any difference from their normal version.

 

Many desserts on the ship may be gluten-free from the beginning. As I show in this review, that tart was primarily gluten-free (with the exception of that one thin layer). In this case I could tell the difference by taste, but when it comes to some desserts, I personally sometimes prefer the gluten-free version since their denser texture makes them more filling, so a little goes a long way.

 

The short answer is that it's an even mix of obvious and not as good, nothing changed since it was originally gluten-free by nature, and I can tell it's gluten-free, but it's just as good as the regular version.

 

 

Thanks for the info. I think this may be my new go-to boarding day lunch, especially knowing I can order both a pasta and an entrée.

 

Thank you. Yes, I meant how did she like the gluten free food.

[WonderousBlue]

In light of the positive responses I got for my Chef's Table review, I decided to share my most recent review of another Royal Caribbean venue, Giovanni's Table. I had lunch during embarkation for my Allure cruise this past may.

 

I'm currently working on a 150 Central Park review which I hope to have posted in about a week.

 

Here is the link to the Giovanni's table review: http://kleenplate.net/2014/09/12/giovannis-table/

 

Where can I see your chefs table review and on what ship was it on?

[artvlay]

That is incorrect, you can make reservations for lunch, and that's exactly what I did. I booked 3 (I think) reservations a few weeks before boarding, and Giovanni's Lunch on boarding day was one of them. After lunch, I went to speak with someone to reserve the rest of the week's meals at specialty restaurants. That night I had an OBC for the reservations I booked at home before the trip ($30% of the price I paid for the 3 prior booked restaurants), and every meal thereafter was discounted by 30% at the time of payment after the meal.

 

Is there always the discount if you book three or more reservations? I don't see it on the site. Thank you

[Clarea]

Is there always the discount if you book three or more reservations? I don't see it on the site. Thank you

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/dining_discount_packages.pdf

[bhaybeegrl]

Beautiful photos! Wonderful review, thank you!

 

Just a note: The 'flat bread' was served to my son when he ordered the 'pizza sticks' from the children's menu. I think 'pizza sticks' is a more accurate description.

 

 

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[secret1122]

Where can I see your chefs table review and on what ship was it on?

The Chef's Table dinner was done on the Allure. You can find the review here: http://kleenplate.net/2014/07/24/royal-caribbeans-allure-of-the-seas-chefs-table/

 

For future reference, all of my cruise restaurant reviews have a "cruise" category attachment. You can click the word "cruise" right underneath the title of each review, or on the menu on the left side of the page and it will bring you to all my reviews from cruise ship restaurants. As of right now I only have the two reviews from a cruise ship, and until I cruise again, all future reviews will be from the Allure.

 

Beautiful photos! Wonderful review, thank you!

 

Just a note: The 'flat bread' was served to my son when he ordered the 'pizza sticks' from the children's menu. I think 'pizza sticks' is a more accurate description.

 

 

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Ha ha, that's funny. I agree with the "pizza sticks" term being a better description.

[secret1122]

Is there always the discount if you book three or more reservations? I don't see it on the site. Thank you

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/dining_discount_packages.pdf

Clarea posted a great PDF with the info. One thing to add; That PDF states that when you book a certain number of restaurants before boarding, the percent off will be reimbursed through OBC. What it doesn't say is that when you attend a specialty restaurant that wasn't booked before sailing, you will receive the discount at the time the bill arrives at the end of the meal.

 

The number of restaurants booked is cumulative between those booked before sailing, and those booked (or walked up to at the time of service) while on board. Some examples:

 

1) You book three or more reservations before sailing - you will receive 20-30% of the value of all 3(+) restaurants as OBC on the first day of the cruise.

 

2) You book 1 restaurant before sailing, and while on board you walk up to (or book) 2 more restaurants - as soon as all three meals are either booked, or completed, you will receive 20% off the price of the restaurant booked before sailing as OBC the next day, and 20% off the bill at the end of the meal for the two that were booked/eaten while sailing.

 

3) You decide to just walk up to specialty restaurants and eat on a whim - once the third meal is completed, that meal will have 20% off the bill, and the next day you'll see OBC in the amount of 20% of the price of the first two restaurants you ate.

 

4) In situation #3 above - you now decide to eat at a fourth restaurant - at the end of this meal, you'll receive 25% off your bill, and the next day will see OBC for an additional 5% of the value of the first three.

 

I hope this make sense. There are a lot of scenarios, but the basics are this:

 

 

• Book/eat 3 restaurants and get 20% all 3
  
• Book/eat 4 restaurants and get 25% all 4
  
• Book/eat 5 or more restaurants and get 30% all of them
  

 

• Once the discounts are activated, any prior completed meals will be reimbursed through OBC, and any current/future ones will be discounted at the time the bill arrives.
  

[ssb]

Is any specialty dining available for lunch on embarkation not disembarkation day of Navigator ?

Edited September 17, 2014 by ssb

[artvlay]

Clarea posted a great PDF with the info. One thing to add; That PDF states that when you book a certain number of restaurants before boarding, the percent off will be reimbursed through OBC. What it doesn't say is that when you attend a specialty restaurant that wasn't booked before sailing, you will receive the discount at the time the bill arrives at the end of the meal.

 

The number of restaurants booked is cumulative between those booked before sailing, and those booked (or walked up to at the time of service) while on board. Some examples:

 

1) You book three or more reservations before sailing - you will receive 20-30% of the value of all 3(+) restaurants as OBC on the first day of the cruise.

 

2) You book 1 restaurant before sailing, and while on board you walk up to (or book) 2 more restaurants - as soon as all three meals are either booked, or completed, you will receive 20% off the price of the restaurant booked before sailing as OBC the next day, and 20% off the bill at the end of the meal for the two that were booked/eaten while sailing.

 

3) You decide to just walk up to specialty restaurants and eat on a whim - once the third meal is completed, that meal will have 20% off the bill, and the next day you'll see OBC in the amount of 20% of the price of the first two restaurants you ate.

 

4) In situation #3 above - you now decide to eat at a fourth restaurant - at the end of this meal, you'll receive 25% off your bill, and the next day will see OBC for an additional 5% of the value of the first three.

 

I hope this make sense. There are a lot of scenarios, but the basics are this:

 

 

• Book/eat 3 restaurants and get 20% all 3
  
• Book/eat 4 restaurants and get 25% all 4
  
• Book/eat 5 or more restaurants and get 30% all of them
  

 

• Once the discounts are activated, any prior completed meals will be reimbursed through OBC, and any current/future ones will be discounted at the time the bill arrives.
  

 

I would like to thank you and Clarea For excellent information. I booked one night and though I had to do all three before sailing.

[Clarea]

Is any specialty dining available for lunch on embarkation not disembarkation day of Navigator ?

I don't recall any specialty dining being open on embarkation day on Navigator. Also, Sabor and Izumu are only open for lunch on sea days.

[ssb]

I don't recall any specialty dining being open on embarkation day on Navigator. Also, Sabor and Izumu are only open for lunch on sea days.

 

Thanks Bob

That's what I thought also .

But things are always changing .

[dancinman66]

Clarea posted a great PDF with the info. One thing to add; That PDF states that when you book a certain number of restaurants before boarding, the percent off will be reimbursed through OBC. What it doesn't say is that when you attend a specialty restaurant that wasn't booked before sailing, you will receive the discount at the time the bill arrives at the end of the meal.

 

The number of restaurants booked is cumulative between those booked before sailing, and those booked (or walked up to at the time of service) while on board. Some examples:

 

1) You book three or more reservations before sailing - you will receive 20-30% of the value of all 3(+) restaurants as OBC on the first day of the cruise.

 

2) You book 1 restaurant before sailing, and while on board you walk up to (or book) 2 more restaurants - as soon as all three meals are either booked, or completed, you will receive 20% off the price of the restaurant booked before sailing as OBC the next day, and 20% off the bill at the end of the meal for the two that were booked/eaten while sailing.

 

3) You decide to just walk up to specialty restaurants and eat on a whim - once the third meal is completed, that meal will have 20% off the bill, and the next day you'll see OBC in the amount of 20% of the price of the first two restaurants you ate.

 

4) In situation #3 above - you now decide to eat at a fourth restaurant - at the end of this meal, you'll receive 25% off your bill, and the next day will see OBC for an additional 5% of the value of the first three.

 

I hope this make sense. There are a lot of scenarios, but the basics are this:

 

 

• Book/eat 3 restaurants and get 20% all 3
  
• Book/eat 4 restaurants and get 25% all 4
  
• Book/eat 5 or more restaurants and get 30% all of them
  

 

• Once the discounts are activated, any prior completed meals will be reimbursed through OBC, and any current/future ones will be discounted at the time the bill arrives.
  

 

 

Great info

Thanks for the time to give us this detail :)

 

 

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