New Pinnacle Gala Menu

[KirkNC]

6 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Kirk, Ann reported on her LIVE thread you could get pricing without the wine (cheaper).  One of her table mates did so.

Thanks, I just read that.  That’s good to know.

[Vict0riann]

Yes, the dinner without the wines was $80, I believe.  I will check today with them that they didn’t get the loyalty discount for it.  She had a fruity punch in the Ocan Bar beforehand, and then a non-alcoholic bubbly, and  a non-alcoholic white wine with dinner.  She said she enjoyed them.  
 

We suddenly owe HAL a lot more money!  
 

I think you have to compare this meal with Le Cirque or De Librije, as it is a set menu.  The Cellar Master’s and Master Chef’s dinners were collaborations between the Cellar Master and Chef and changed each time.  We really liked those dinners.  Then I also enjoyed Le Cirque much more than De Librije. 
 

 

[cat shepard]

23 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Oh, sorry.  I perhaps misread.  No, Master Chef Table was different than the Cellar Master.

Master Chef Table was limited to a very small group 14-18 people with really luxurious floral arrangements, crystal etc and a superb menu and wines that flowed.

 

Cellar Master was a much larger gathering filling up the Pinnacle Grill completely.  It was cheaper than the Master Chef Table but they were both worth the price IMO 👍 

 

How interesting, Jacqui! My Oosterdam’s 2019 Cellar Master had 16 people.  With beautiful floral arrangements etc…

 

The Master Chef and Cellar Master would introduce each course and pairing. And stayed with us to check to see how we enjoyed each course/pairing. And the wine flowed!  That is where I was introduced to Cote du Rhône. 😎It was the highlight of the onboard dinners. 
 

I wonder if each ship’s master chef & cellar master were allowed to decide what they would offer to their passengers?

 

 

[cat shepard]

28 minutes ago, tjcox9 said:

I'll never forget one Master Chef's dinner, most likely on the Prinsendam. There was a first time HAL cruiser couple on board. They were usually Celebrity cruisers and they were blown away with the event. The wine flowed very freely and this couple certainly took advantage of it. 🙄 It was the best of any of the Master Chef's dinners that we attended.

The assistant Maitre’d had to escort one woman and her Sister back to their cabin after our meal. I didn’t notice them drinking much, but perhaps they ate less than I did. 🙄

Edited October 16, 2021 by cat shepard

[kazu]

6 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

 

How interesting, Jacqui! My Oosterdam’s 2019 Cellar Master had 16 people.  With beautiful floral arrangements etc…

 

The Master Chef and Cellar Master would introduce each course and pairing. And stayed with us to check to see how we enjoyed each course/pairing. And the wine flowed!  That is where I was introduced to Cote du Rhône. 😎It was the highlight of the onboard dinners. 

 

 

Interesting.  I’ve never been to a Cellar Master with so few people.  

 

6 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

I wonder if each ship’s master chef & cellar master were allowed to decide what they would offer to their passengers?

 

My understanding is that they were within certain parameters.  For the Cellar Master, the Cellar Master decided on the wines and the Chef created dishes to match with consultation.

 

For the Master Chef Table, the Chef decided on the menu and then the Cellar Master had to match the wines to the dishes.

 

When we were on the Westerdam, our Cellar Master created an additional Cellar Master since it was so popular and we were stopping at a port that carried excellent French wines.  He brought some onboard and the dinner was matched to them.  Those that attended the first Cellar Master had first dibs on this one - and yes, we went 😉 

[cat shepard]

21 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Interesting.  I’ve never been to a Cellar Master with so few people.  

 

 

My understanding is that they were within certain parameters.  For the Cellar Master, the Cellar Master decided on the wines and the Chef created dishes to match with consultation.

 

For the Master Chef Table, the Chef decided on the menu and then the Cellar Master had to match the wines to the dishes.

 

When we were on the Westerdam, our Cellar Master created an additional Cellar Master since it was so popular and we were stopping at a port that carried excellent French wines.  He brought some onboard and the dinner was matched to them.  Those that attended the first Cellar Master had first dibs on this one - and yes, we went 😉 

 

Maybe there were so few people who signed up for it that they could tweak the formula a bit.  
 

Now I really want to try a Master Chef’s dinner. Hope I get the opportunity!

[Roz]

14 hours ago, Av8rix said:

Seems pricey to me also.  In addition, many of the choices would not be my selection even if on a regular menu.  So I'll take a pass.

 

Agree.  Battered and fried squash salad?  Shaved cukes?  A fried steam bun?  An orange dreamsicle for dessert?  MDR for me.

[Mosaic]

Where are you seeing this offered per cruise??? I log in for December and look at Dining and do not see it??? 

 

Thanks.

[mame42]

I wonder if the Cellar Master's Dinners will also disappear from the Grand World Voyages.  The plethora of such dinners was a true highlight of the aborted 2020 GWV, each with a different theme with cocktails, wines, and menu to match.  We went to every one and were never disappointed.

[rkacruiser]

19 hours ago, T8NCruise said:

I've done the Master Chef dinner and the Cellar Master dinners, but I can never remember which was which. 

 

8 hours ago, cat shepard said:

do you think HAL uses different names to describe similar events? 

 

Yes.  I have found that they differentiate one special dining experience from others, but, who can keep track of what the difference experiences are called and how they differed?  

 

8 hours ago, kazu said:

Master Chef Table was limited to a very small group 14-18 people with really luxurious floral arrangements, crystal etc and a superb menu and wines that flowed.

 

In the smaller room of the PG, that is what I remember.  

 

I have experienced this type of dining 2 or 3 times.  Along with the cuisine and the wine, one meets very interesting fellow cruisers who share the same interests of mine.  Good food, good wine, good service, good conversation in a delightful venue!  What more can one ask?  

[Sir PMP]

7 hours ago, Roz said:

 

Agree.  Battered and fried squash salad?  Shaved cukes?  A fried steam bun?  An orange dreamsicle for dessert?  MDR for me.

Yes, for $142, that's a rip off...

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, cat shepard said:

The assistant Maitre’d had to escort one woman and her Sister back to their cabin after our meal.

 

The very last dinner of this type that I did almost--not quite--but almost put me into that category.  That was the night that my tummy informed me that "You Will Not Do This Again"!  

[san diego spartan]

8 hours ago, Roz said:

 

Agree.  Battered and fried squash salad?  Shaved cukes?  A fried steam bun?  An orange dreamsicle for dessert?  MDR for me.

Sorry to say but I agree.  The menu does not appeal to me and for that price not even a consideration.  I have not been impressed with the MDR menus being posted on the App either though....I remember much better meals or at least choices B.C......I hope we will not be disappointed on our upcoming cruise as we love the dining aspects of cruising.  I have followed some live threads on other cruise lines (Celebrity) and their dining options look far superior.  I do have to say I do like Celebrity and have always enjoyed their dining options, but we do like HAL as well.  Our last two cruises BC where on HAL (Mexican Riviera and Alaska).  We enjoyed the dining though did have a misstep in Pinacle Grill on the last cruise but have booked again for our upcoming cruise and we do like Tamarind so looking forward to that again. 

[iceman93]

While I agree that this particular menu does not sound particularly appetizing to me, I know the same can be said of various special event meals at my favorite restaurants on land, too.  Luckily, if the menu doesn't sound good, there are plenty of other dining options on board!

 

I'm just glad HAL is still offering special nights at the various venues.  While they may in reality be just a cash grab by corporate, I like having choices and feel like even the choice of a more upscale event improves my impression of the ship/line.