Chefs Table

[jonbgd]

54 minutes ago, Hoppy2cruise said:

The wine pairing is included when you pay for Chef’s Table, but possibly not when it is a Star Class perk?  

not sure?

[Hoppy2cruise]

2 minutes ago, ownedbypets said:

 

Star Class is usually charged $25 for the wine.

Sounds like a good deal to me!  Thanks for the info.  She posted they were charged “around $45” plus gratuity.

[csnarpy]

we do it every chance we get. Symphony did not offer it.  Our second time out, we dined with Adam G and his family.  The one thing, don't hesitate to ask for more wine, they will happily oblige.

 

The one thing I've learned, is not to buy it in advance as you can basically get it 50% off on embarkation day.

 

FYI, on the Oasis class ships, you meet in the library for a pre meal drink and then are escorted to the concierge lounge for the meal. It's simply amazing.

[caitlynambrai]

29 minutes ago, csnarpy said:

we do it every chance we get. Symphony did not offer it.  Our second time out, we dined with Adam G and his family.  The one thing, don't hesitate to ask for more wine, they will happily oblige.

 

The one thing I've learned, is not to buy it in advance as you can basically get it 50% off on embarkation day.

 

FYI, on the Oasis class ships, you meet in the library for a pre meal drink and then are escorted to the concierge lounge for the meal. It's simply amazing.

How does one go about getting it 50% off? Because I’d hop on that and have an awesome date night with the hubs.

 

[3kidsncats]

In the app, it specifically says the price is “food only” — wonder if this is a new way to discreetly jack up the price?  We were debating doing it on our upcoming trip, but will wait and see if there is an embarkation day deal

[time4u2go]

20 hours ago, Bobal said:

True Chef's Tables are - but this is not a 'literal' Chef's Table, just an opportunity for the Chef to present his menu then go away and cook it, not cook it in front of you as in a true Chef's table.

Thanks.  That's how I remember true Chef's tables.

[lovescats5]

On Oasis the Chef's Table is at the back of the Coastal Kitchen.  We have done it every cruise and they do charge Star Class $25 to attend.  We have always had a great time.  This year on Anthem we will take the granddaughter (14) and let her experience the food and fun.  

[sellwingri]

Thanks for all the great information.   I checked out the MDR menus on our upcoming Adventure cruise (in 18 days, not that I’m counting) and decided that we wanted to go to Chefs Table on day 4.  We were going to wait until we boarded to book it but did a mock booking just to see only to find out that day 4 wasn’t available.  Day 5 was out second choice so I booked it.  Good thing we did because only day 1, 2, and 7 are now available.  

[jules815]

On 5/29/2021 at 8:53 AM, time4u2go said:

I would not enjoy it either in these "public" areas you describe.  Aren't true chef's tables traditionally in the kitchen?

In 2015 on Brilliance we were in a private dining room not anywhere near public spaces.

[njkruzer]

55 minutes ago, sellwingri said:

Thanks for all the great information.   I checked out the MDR menus on our upcoming Adventure cruise (in 18 days, not that I’m counting) and decided that we wanted to go to Chefs Table on day 4.  We were going to wait until we boarded to book it but did a mock booking just to see only to find out that day 4 wasn’t available.  Day 5 was out second choice so I booked it.  Good thing we did because only day 1, 2, and 7 are now available.  

After you board you should check again.  Sometimes things change.   Enjoy. 

[crazyank]

On 5/29/2021 at 4:23 PM, forgotmyCCname said:

 The Chef's Table was included with Star Class so we gave it a try. We were seated across from the world's biggest blowhard ( he was the universe's gift to the legal profession and claimed to be married to a super model whom we would recognize if he told us her name -sure, dude ) and his 14 yo and 9 yo boys, both of whom were permitted to drink glasses of champagne . We also had 2 couples who hit  it off and they proceeded to leave the table every 10 minutes and came back high as hell and NOT mellow-they were tossing things about the table, were loud and sharing some sort of smoke-free cannabis device at the table  as well. The braggard and another couple soon joined them on these little trips leaving my husband and me  alone with the 2 kids and an elderly couple who were seated at the opposite end of the table. 

 

The food was quite good but not overwhelming in amount. They had substituted the branzino with another fish. Service was below what we expected but that is because the server would not bring the next course until everyone was back from their mind-altering  mini-sojourns. We had to grab a quick  bite of the desert ball and run as the continued delays added up and dinner was extended at least 45 minutes .and we wanted to make it to the show.

We had a similar experience.  The one and only time we tried the Chef's Table the evening was ruined by an elderly Pinnacle couple who arrived 30 minutes late and then proceeded to "hold court" the rest of the evening.  Nobody could get a word in edgewise, and when anybody tried the results were evil looks and talking over the top of everybody else.  They also interrupted the chef with comments about previous Chef's table experiences.

[retired dude]

that is why we now  always get a table for two in the mdr every night. After 25 cruises we have heard way too many stories about grandkids, getting cheap cruises, and general attempts by our table mates to impress us...Dinner is our time enjoy one another's company and enjoy the good food offered by rccl and celebrity's hard working chefs. We appreciate their efforts and the food suits us just fine. 

[Rogueperson]

On 5/29/2021 at 10:23 AM, forgotmyCCname said:

We had an terrible and amusing experience on Allure

 

 

 

My wife and I do Chef's table on every cruise we go on if able.  We've been able to do it on Carnival (which was where we fell in love with the concept) and Princess as well as Royal Caribbean.

 

Most of the Chef's table we've done were mind blowingly awesome.  Except for Allure which had some issues that were almost bad.  The menu this time around in 2019 seemed to have been cut and pasted from other specialty restaurants around the ship.  The beef carpaccio was the same as the one in Chops.  The bread they gave us was the same in 150 Central park, the dessert was the same as from Wonderland.  In fact, on the Allure, they seem to reuse things all over.  The dessert I had in Chops, I had the next day at lunch in the MDR.  The Chef's table's menu seemed less inspired because of it.

 

That by itself was annoying, but the kicker was that they almost served the very allergens to people who informed them they had allergies to.  Not once, not twice, but 3 times.  My wife almost got peanuts which I pointed out, another lady as well, and she came within a hair's breadth of eating it if it wasn't for someone pointing out that it was a peanut dish.  I forget the 3rd incident at this particular 

The dinner itself was fun, but at $85/person.  You should be getting a much better dining experience..at least on the Allure.   In fact, on Allure, i was most disappointed with all the premium restaurant.  Something that hasn't happened in quite some time.

 

In my opinion Grandeur was the best Chef's Table of all for me.  I've done it on Grandeur, Allure, Anthem and Navigator.

Hints, be open to the food.  Make sure you spell out any allergies days before if possible.  If you don't tell them about allergies or preferences, they can't design something for you in a timely fashion and you may lose out.  My sister in law has a lot of Allergies, and the executive Chef on Grandeur took that as a personal challenge and she was presented with a stellar meal.  

Edited June 1, 2021 by Rogueperson

[dizgal64]

On 5/29/2021 at 10:23 AM, forgotmyCCname said:

 

The wines we were served were not included in the beverage package and we recived a check for the wine for around $45 plus the tip for the maitre D/host. I cant remember if it was per person or for both of us. 

 

The table was located in a loft  above the diamond lounge.

 

 

What? In all my reading I didn’t know that you’ll be charged for the drinks. I should have realized. And tip? Huh. We drink wine but I really can’t do more than one glass with dinner…I could maybe do the martini at the very end since it’s such a long dinner.

 
So question, can you say no to all the drinks except one or two? It’s really not about cost totally…it would just be a waste. I was planning on asking for 1/3 full wine glass or something because I’d only do a few sips of each. 
 

Also, on Allure where is the latest section of ship that they are doing Chef’s Table?

 

TIA

[powelweb]

DH did chef's table on Anthem last December and loved it! I have a limited menu that I enjoy and I also do not drink, so we decided he should attend on his own, and he was able to enjoy the company of several other couples and singles our age. 

 

He is looking forward to attending his next one when we're back on board again.

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, dizgal64 said:

So question, can you say no to all the drinks except one or two?

The trick is not that you don't want the drinks, it's that you must make sure the person taking your order understands you want something that's included.

[johnjen]

I was on the fence about doing CT again over various things, like being rushed at one CT.....But after reading this thread, I went ahead and booked it for our upcoming cruise. Overall, it's a memorable and enjoyable time. Especially the guests at the table! 

Just avoid the pork crackling dessert thing that looked like caramel.......😁