La Reserve, which one to choose Odyssey or La Cuisine Bourgeoise ?

[travelbug2225]

We are thinking about make reservation on La Reserve on our 2022 cruise,  This will be our fist time for La Reserve.  What is your suggestion for the first timer?  Which one you like? Why? I love food but I don't drink. My husband and our friends love wine. I still want to do La Reserve for experience on food. Do you think it still worth it for me to try?    

[pinotlover]

The entire purpose of La Reserve is food and wine pairings. That is the essence of the experience. The food alone is quite good, so absolutely no one can tell you “ if it’s worth it”. Personally wouldn’t spend the money if I didn’t drink the wine.

[mauibabes]

Then you should definitely not book the Dom Perignon Champagne pairing dinner for $375 pp. 

Actually it might be good to have one sober diner to get all of your friends and hubby back to their rooms for the night. You will be the Designated Diner 🤪👍🍷It is definitely an outstanding evening of dining, whatever you choose. 

Mauibabes

[DENIE]

Interested to see what people say on this thread.  For our June 2022 Mediterranean cruise on Riviera, we just made reservations for La Cuisine Bourgeoise today.  Honestly, both menus sounded fantastic, but this one felt a bit more to our taste.  Then, we saw that it was available on our one and only sea day, so jumped on it (so, not having to rush back from a port excursion to get back in time).  Since we are in the Mediterranean, we look forward to the all French wine selection.

[Jancruz]

Even if you dont drink wine the experience is worth it in my opinion..Stu doesnt drink wine..he always has a vodka and loves the fabulous food..we are not wine people so dont appreciate the pairing part (I should not admit this) but love the whole presentation and evening..we have had both menus several times and dont have a favorite..this year we are trying the Dom..we know it is pricy but want to try it for the experience..

 

Jancruz1

Remember JMHO

Edited August 9, 2021 by Jancruz
addition

[travelbug2225]

If I make a reservation now. When is the dateline if I want to cancel?  

[cruisingxpert]

I have been to all of them including the now deleted Discovery and Connoisseur menus.

I would choose Odyssey out of the 3 now available.  I found the Bourgeoise too filling.  The food for the Dom is similar to what was on the old Connoisseur one.  I am a big fan of Champagne but I only liked the Dom Rose, so for me personally, I wouldn't do that again.  I wish they would bring back the Connoisseur menu 

 

[patty1955]

I'm considering booking the La Reserve dinner but I'm not sure how many courses are included. It can't possibly include all the food listed on the menu can it?

[cruisingxpert]

45 minutes ago, patty1955 said:

I'm considering booking the La Reserve dinner but I'm not sure how many courses are included. It can't possibly include all the food listed on the menu can it?

Yes it does.  Except for Bourgeoise which I think is too filling, the others are fairly small portions.  Example- Odyssey first course is a single perfect scallop.

[LHT28]

4 hours ago, patty1955 said:

I'm considering booking the La Reserve dinner but I'm not sure how many courses are included. It can't possibly include all the food listed on the menu can it?

The description say 6 courses for the Dom menu  & 7 for the La Cuisine Bourgeoise  & the Odyssey

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/culinary

 

[patty1955]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

The description say 6 courses for the Dom menu  & 7 for the La Cuisine Bourgeoise  & the Odyssey

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/culinary

 

Wow, that sounds like a lot of food.

[Queen of DaNile]

1 hour ago, patty1955 said:

Wow, that sounds like a lot of food.

They are delicate portions. It's the wine that fills you up :)

[patty1955]

10 minutes ago, Queen of DaNile said:

They are delicate portions. It's the wine that fills you up 🙂

We attended a Chef's Table on Celebrity years ago. It was wonderful but with all the wine, I barely remember dessert. 

[pinotlover]

I enjoy La Reserve, and have done all of them more than once, except the Dom P. which I will repeat. Having said that, I will probably never repeat the Bourgeois meal. By far the least favorite with the least compelling food and wine.

 

I really enjoyed the Connoisseur dinner and was disappointed when they deleted it. It is my understanding that since it was more expensive than the other two ( pre Dom) it didn’t sell as well.

[cruisingxpert]

2 hours ago, pinotlover said:

I really enjoyed the Connoisseur dinner and was disappointed when they deleted it. It is my understanding that since it was more expensive than the other two ( pre Dom) it didn’t sell as well.

Same here about Connoisseur.   I can see some of the Dom courses are a slight variation on the Connoisseur menu items but the Dom is even more expensive than the Connoisseur was.

[pinotlover]

25 minutes ago, cruisingxpert said:

Same here about Connoisseur.   I can see some of the Dom courses are a slight variation on the Connoisseur menu items but the Dom is even more expensive than the Connoisseur was.

True, but Dom P is far more expensive, even wholesale than the wines poured for the Connoisseur Dinner. Fortunately, for us, they poured the Dom quite freely during the meal. 😜

[cruisingxpert]

25 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

True, but Dom P is far more expensive, even wholesale than the wines poured for the Connoisseur Dinner. Fortunately, for us, they poured the Dom quite freely during the meal. 😜

I agree.  I will have to try it again.  I love Champagne and the Dom Rose was wonderful.  I didn't care for the other 2 champagnes.  Maybe my taste buds haven't evolved enough😕

[Host Jazzbeau]

44 minutes ago, cruisingxpert said:

I agree.  I will have to try it again.  I love Champagne and the Dom Rose was wonderful.  I didn't care for the other 2 champagnes.  Maybe my taste buds haven't evolved enough😕

DW and I went through a phase with spicy food 'you can't make it hot enough.'  We got over it and now prefer more balance between heat and flavor.  IMHO the same thing has happened with  Champagne – 'you can't make it dry enough' – so I can relate to your only liking Dom Rose.  That's also why I wouldn't consider the Dom menu even if it were free.  Now if they were working with Bollinger and included several vintages and especially R.D. – that would be a different story.

[ronrick1943]

I haven’t been on “O” for awhile- but when we do cruise “O” we wouldn’t miss it—we’ve done two on one cruise.  They do sell out pretty fast so book it.