Ocean Blue vs Cagney's vs Le Bistro...which would you pick?

[smillerholmes]

On 2/1/2023 at 12:21 PM, GeezerCouple said:

And Le Bistro has something else very good, a real sleeper.  I'm not sure why we even tried it, but thank goodness we did.

The coq au vin!  Tender and *SO* tasty... terrific sauce, the kind where you want to lick the plate/bowl.
We had it a couple of times, even though we love the filet, because it was so flavorful.

 

On land, we can get a good filet at a couple of favorite places, but *good* coq au vin? Not so much.

(If you aren't at all a fan of chicken, then I wouldn't recommend this.  It's still chicken, of course.)

 

GC

I would agree with you on the coq au vin - until recently it was so good I got it every time.  Absolutely yummy, sauce was top notch.  Tried it on the Bliss - something had changed.  I thought maybe just the ship?  Tried it again on the Getaway - I asked and was told by restaurant manager there had been a recent recipe change.  So not bad by any means, but definitely changed.  I now alter between coq au vin and the filet.  Just not the overwhelming favorite for me anymore.

[phillygwm]

On 2/2/2023 at 7:56 PM, P@inSWCO said:

My recommendation would be to eat earlier than later there.   The times we've had hiccups have been at later reservation times.   With that said, I will never say anything negative about NCL's Food and Bev staff.  They bust their butts for an amazing experience day after day!   

Agreed.  I tend to be an early diner and, depending on what else is going on, I'm occasionally at the first available seating.  While I've never had a poor experience at a specialty restaurant, there have been (infrequent) times I've been disappointed when the restaurant has been crowded and service sparse. 

[david_sobe]

These kind of threads will always rage on.  Everyone has different likes and experiences on different ships.  I am in the tiny minority who believes Le Bistro is the most overrated restaurant in the NCL fleet.  I used to think I was missing something but when I cruise we don't even consider going there anymore.  This board always brags about their soups and you can get better soups anywhere IMHO.  The food is not bad but not worth all the fuss I read about it.  I also believe La Cucina is equally mediocre.   Onda is so much better and NCL is going in the right direction with Italian food.

I am not a big sea food lover so I guess I would pick Cagneys.  I guess I consider myself lucky because I never had a bad or average meal there.  Its always really good. 

Go with what you like.

What I dont like about the NCL specialty restaurants these days is how crowded they are.  Many years ago they were a treat not just for the food but atmosphere.  But now everyone has the meal deals and its hard to get reservations.  When I sailed Encore, they had 8 tables for Cagneys outside the restaurant into the Mix Bar area.  Its insanely busy.

Edited February 5, 2023 by david_sobe

[cementhands]

Cagney has the best ribeye steak! Went twice on recent Getaway. Walking out of horrible Moderno, le bistro decent, ocean blue was edible at best, La cucina adequate!  
If I had to do it over I might space out 5 Cagney ribeye steak! Over 12 nights cruise.
Shang hai noodles bar is included and very good other than loud smoky neighbors right there in casino, smoke smell terrible. Some meals included in Savor were better than the specialty ones

. Tropicana resteraunt was the worst ever. 

[ggTexasGal]

33 minutes ago, cementhands said:

Cagney has the best ribeye steak! Went twice on recent Getaway. Walking out of horrible Moderno, le bistro decent, ocean blue was edible at best, La cucina adequate!  
If I had to do it over I might space out 5 Cagney ribeye steak!

Unfortunately, NCL no longer allows using dining certificates at any  restaurant more than twice.

[gunner22a]

Le Bistro in a heart beat.  Let me qualify that comment.  We stay in the Haven every time and I can get great prime rib or tenderloin at every dinner so going to the steak house is really a waste for us.  I will say that the beef at Cagney's is second to none at sea and we have cruise on five different lines.

Edited February 5, 2023 by gunner22a

[zzdoug]

I would eat at le Bistro because I enjoy French food and it's so hard to find in the Western United States. I'm not aware of any French restaurants within 500 miles of my home that would cost less than $300 to eat at.

 

I really wish they would offer foie gras as an appetizer though, and would be willing to pay extra for it, because foie gras is so delicious simply spread on a piece of crusty bread without a pesky filet mignon in the way.  Has anyone been successful in ordering off the menu at le Bistrot or any of the other specialty restaurants?  

[big al]

Ocean Blue on the Encore was the best meal ( and still is after 43 cruises on 7 cruise lines..) I've ever had at sea..we dined OUTSIDE on a gorgeous night over looking the sunset..I had Tiger Shrimp..it was THEE best shrimp cocktail I ever had!! Followed by Lobster Thermador..it was super..then I almost passed out when I had the Key Lime Pie w/meringue on top for dessert...I almost called the medics it sooooo good...the perfect meal..Cagney's was ok..the Filet is the safest choice there..Le Bistro was good, and their escargots is the best on the 7 seas IMO...it depends always what you order.. Ocean Blue is a seafood place..don't order beef there..Cagney's is a steakhouse..go with the filet or maybe the NY Strip..their side dishes are better than their entrees...food is so subjective..we also love Teppanyaki..never disappoints...

 

Big Al

[mingo]

Also keep in mind where the meats are sourced from.  Meats in different countries have subtle different flavors/textures.