Princess Unveils "The Catch" by Rudi New Signature Seafood Restaurant

[LACruiser88]

April 10, 2023 9:30 AM EDT   Princess Cruises Unveils "The Catch by Rudi" New Signature Seafood Restaurant   New Concept from Award-Winning Chef Rudi Sodamin Now Onboard Enchanted Princess, Coming Soon to Majestic Princess, Sky Princess and Discovery Princess O'Malley's Irish Pub Also Set to Debut Aboard Enchanted Princess Enhancements to Enchanted Princess Piazza Celebrates Italian Heritage Laid-Back Vibes and Eats from the Original Salty Dog Café Now Available on Enchanted Princess Lido Deck   SANTA CLARITA, Calif., April 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises has unveiled a new specialty seafood restaurant, The Catch by Rudi, a joint partnership with Culinary Icon Chef Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts for Princess.     Debuting on Enchanted Princess as she emerges from dry dock on April 15 and coming soon to three more of the line's newest ships, The Catch by Rudi is the first Princess restaurant primarily devoted to seafood and offers a completely fresh take on seafood with the chef's contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly-creative presentations and an engaging dining experience.    "Chef Rudi is the foremost cruise culinary artist in the world with more than four decades of experience spanning the world's best cruise lines – Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian American Cruise Line," said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. "Chef Rudi's creativity, passion and leadership in delivering exceptional experiences down to the finest details that consider guests preferences and tastes will surely make The Catch another "must do."   The Catch by Rudi replaces Bistro Sur la Mer and is expected to make a tremendous splash given the menu that will appeal to both seafood aficionados and guests who simply prefer some great "surf and turf."   Guests will notice as soon as they pick up their menus that they are experiencing something unexpected and novel, as they read headings like "Beauty on the Plate" and "Tower of Taste." The place settings are equally distinctive. Guests are greeted at their table by a special cocktail created by mixologist Rob Floyd.   Priced at just $39 per person and available as a specialty dining option within the Princess Premier premium add-on package, the restaurant's menu features The Daily Catch—the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood from local ports of call.   The new specialty dining location also includes playful takes on seafood go-to dishes like Asian-fried calamari; modern twists on comforting seafood classics such as lobsters with garlic butter crust; and stunningly presented signature seafood inventions from the chef's personal repertoire including a Towering Trio and Whole Dover Sole.   The Seafood Trolly is a feast for the eyes with fresh lobster tail, shrimp, oysters, mussels, piled high along with other gifts from the sea.   The new restaurant delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience, including serving up classic dishes that delight as if they were being encountered for the first time. To that end, each preparation and presentation will be completely unique to guests dining onboard.   "The Catch by Rudi is my way of combining my love of food, seafood and people with my incredible culinary journey at sea and my lifelong history of cooking seafood across the globe to delight Princess guests," said Sodamin. "I want to deliver a new way to enjoy seafood and a fresh perspective on something they thought they knew. Everything we are doing with The Catch is about 'catching' that precious moment we call 'now'—and doing it in such a memorable and unexpected way that makes you say 'wow!'"   While the menu is focused primarily on seafood dishes, The Catch by Rudi also features offerings to appeal to every taste and appetite, along with vegetarian dishes, and signature beef classics like steak frites, all presented with the creativity that is distinctively Chef Rudi. All wines will be hand-picked to pair with seafood, and the smartly uniformed waitstaff will make knowledgeable recommendations for white, red, rose and sparkling wines from the great wine-growing regions located near coastal areas across the world. The Catch will be about comfort, fun and engagement with wine selections that will not intimidate and be comfortable for guest to select and experience.   "Guests who experience The Catch by Rudi are in for something truly special," said Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage for Princess Cruises. "The meal will offer a number of surprises—from before the meal starts, through the unparalleled desserts that are as fanciful as they are delicious and come with a special gift at the end of the meal." Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi is located across from the guest services desk on Deck 5, as Sabatini's moves to Deck 7 in the piazza, where Bistro Sur la Mer was previously located.  The new restaurant concept will be added aboard several other Princess ships including Majestic Princess (May 5) in time for its Alaska Season, Sky Princess (May 7) sailing from Southampton on Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries this summer and in the fall aboard Discovery Princess.   All images can be found here.   New Irish Pub also launching on Enchanted Princess Also coming to Enchanted Princess starting April 15 is O'Malley's, a contemporary Irish pub featuring traditional Irish music, interactive entertainment and extraordinary food including the new O'Malley's ribeye burger. Located on Deck 5 in the piazza where the Salty Dog Gastropub Experience previously operated, the O'Malley's menu also includes Scotch eggs, fried pickles, pan-fried Guinness chicken, along with favorite Irish beers, ales and whiskeys. The new pub will also offer tasting experiences that include an introduction to the history of Irish Whiskey along with a tasting flight, as well as Guinness cocktail classes. Offering more than just a great menu, O'Malley's will overflow with the exuberance, banter, and vivacity synonymous with the vintage Irish pub experience.   More Enhancements Around the Piazza – Including Settimo Cielo The iconic Princess Piazza will now extend beyond stunning Italian architecture to deliver the aromas and experiences that are the hallmarks of a traditional Italian "town square." Deck Seven becomes Settimo Cielo, or seventh heaven, where guests will find an array of Italian eats including the Princess favorite Sabatini's Trattoria one of the most popular Princess specialty restaurants, Bellini's Venice-inspired cocktail bar and Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo. The Piazza will also feature more Italian flair in the Gelateria on deck five, which continues to feature the only authentic Italian gelato experience outside of Italy, where fresh gelato is hand-crafted each day with Italian-certified ingredients in the ship's pastry kitchen.   The Official Salty Dog Princess is also adding the authentic and world-famous Salty Dog Café, the original, world-famous Hilton Head eatery that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year, to the Lido Deck on Enchanted Princess. Now Princess guests can enjoy original 'Salty Dog Café' menu items like the Prime Burger and the Chicken Strip Basket, while learning about the legend of Jake, the café's iconic dog in the yellow hat. The café's epic, branded merchandise featuring the restaurant's iconic mascot will also be available for purchase. Visitors to the original Salty Dog in Hilton Head will also enjoy promotional invitations to sail Princess. "There is nothing more core to the Princess experience than great food and drinks at an amazing value conveyed with exceptional service and a friendly spirit," added Padgett. "We're confident our guests will absolutely love the changes they'll find aboard Enchanted Princess and how we're embracing our Italian heritage, expanding our offerings with great seafood, injecting some international spirit with an Irish Pub, and bringing a laid-back resort vibe with good eats to the Lido Deck."

[voljeep]

Thanks - hopefully those will be included on SUN Princess, while retaining Crooners, Vines and the Crown Grill.  Didn't see prices for the Irish Pub - maybe something along the lines of the pricing for Salty Dog?

[LACruiser88]

Looks like the Harmony Chinese restaurant on the Majestic will be replaced by The Catch???

 

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by LACruiser88

[david63]

41 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

the restaurant's menu features The Daily Catch

Does this mean that there will be fishermen as part of the crew who will have fishing lines over the side of the ship every day catching today's fish😀😀

[cruzsnooze]

More paid venues, less public space.

[david63]

Just now, cruzsnooze said:

More paid venues, less public space.

I thought that it said they were re-purposing the existing venues!

[JimmyVWine]

12 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

More paid venues, less public space.

How so?  

"The Catch by Rudi replaces Bistro Sur la Mer 

Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi is located across from the guest services desk on Deck 5, as Sabatini's moves to Deck 7 in the piazza, where Bistro Sur la Mer was previously located."

 

Pretty sure that Bistro Sur le Mer was already a paid venue. So we have a swap out of restaurants and a swap out of locations. But the net effect appears to be that no public space is being usurped to pull of the changeover. 

Edited April 10, 2023 by JimmyVWine

[fpsphil]

No mention of the horrible paint job on the side tho...

[dickinson]

Is the Salty Dog a paid venue? Where on Lido deck?

[JimmyVWine]

10 minutes ago, dickinson said:

Is the Salty Dog a paid venue? Where on Lido deck?

On Enchanted, there are currently two venues that use the Salty Dog name, adding to the confusion.  On Deck 5 (Plaza) where many ships have "Vines" there is a Gastro Pub that is a Specialty Dining venue that serves food at an additional cost.  And up on 16 (Lido) there is a Salty Dog Grill where many ships have a "Trident Grill" serving more basic hot dogs and hamburgers that do not cost extra.  The press release indicates that the venue on 5 will be replaced by the Irish Pub and that the Specialty Dining venue will be moved up to 16, though no location is indicated.  And the future deck plan does not show a spot for it.  One possibility is that it will be placed mid-ship where one of the Sea Walks now resides, perhaps as (partial) al fresco dining.  The press release mentions the location on Hilton Head, and al fresco dining would certainly be on brand if that is the atmosphere they are aiming for.  Or it could be inserted into the World Fresh Marketplace.  Any other location on 16 would require the space to be very small.  

Edited April 10, 2023 by JimmyVWine

[fpsphil]

8 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

On Enchanted, there are currently two venues that use the Salty Dog name, adding to the confusion.  On Deck 5 (Plaza) where many ships have "Vines" there is a Gastro Pub that is a Specialty Dining venue that serves food at an additional cost.  And up on 16 (Lido) there is a Salty Dog Grill where many ships have a "Trident Grill" serving more basic hot dogs and hamburgers that do not cost extra.  The press release indicates that the venue on 5 will be replaced by the Irish Pub and that the Specialty Dining venue will be moved up to 16, though no location is indicated.  And the future deck plan does not show a spot for it.  One possibility is that it will be placed mid-ship where one of the Sea Walks now resides, perhaps as (partial) al fresco dining.  The press release mentions the location on Hilton Head, and al fresco dining would certainly be on brand if that is the atmosphere they are aiming for.  Or it could be inserted into the World Fresh Marketplace.  Any other location on 16 would require the space to be very small.  

I read it to understand they will be offering up the upsell items from the Grill

[cruzsnooze]

1 hour ago, JimmyVWine said:

How so?  

"The Catch by Rudi replaces Bistro Sur la Mer 

Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi is located across from the guest services desk on Deck 5, as Sabatini's moves to Deck 7 in the piazza, where Bistro Sur la Mer was previously located."

 

Pretty sure that Bistro Sur le Mer was already a paid venue. So we have a swap out of restaurants and a swap out of locations. But the net effect appears to be that no public space is being usurped to pull of the changeover. 

Didn't realize it was taking the Sur La Mer which I didn't care for and apparently enough people didn't hence the change.  The location of the restaurant is awkward in what should be a public space. There is no sense of privacy in this venue, it's open and passengers walk right in front of you. 

[JimmyVWine]

19 minutes ago, fpsphil said:

I read it to understand they will be offering up the upsell items from the Grill

Perhaps, but nothing about the following prose strikes me as all taking place from a venue that is as small as the Grill, with a "kitchen" area that is nothing more than a 3x4 flat-top grill. The write-up below suggests (to me) a place to sit and the built-out of a merch area, neither of which fit within the current footprint of the Grill. 

 

Princess is also adding the authentic and world-famous Salty Dog Café, the original, world-famous Hilton Head eatery that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year, to the Lido Deck on Enchanted Princess. Now Princess guests can enjoy original 'Salty Dog Café' menu items like the Prime Burger and the Chicken Strip Basket, while learning about the legend of Jake, the café's iconic dog in the yellow hat. The café's epic, branded merchandise featuring the restaurant's iconic mascot will also be available for purchase.

Edited April 10, 2023 by JimmyVWine

[JimmyVWine]

13 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

The location of the restaurant is awkward in what should be a public space. There is no sense of privacy in this venue, it's open and passengers walk right in front of you. 

Agreed.  Seems like an absolutely horrible place to move Sabatini's.  Unless they do some reconfiguring to make it more set off from the strolling passengers.  

Edited April 10, 2023 by JimmyVWine

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, JimmyVWine said:

How so?  

"The Catch by Rudi replaces Bistro Sur la Mer 

Aboard Enchanted Princess The Catch by Rudi is located across from the guest services desk on Deck 5, as Sabatini's moves to Deck 7 in the piazza, where Bistro Sur la Mer was previously located."

 

Pretty sure that Bistro Sur le Mer was already a paid venue. So we have a swap out of restaurants and a swap out of locations. But the net effect appears to be that no public space is being usurped to pull of the changeover. 

Unless some structural changes are made, Sabatinis will now suffer from the same lack of privacy as BsM.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, JimmyVWine said:

Agreed.  Seems like an absolutely horrible place to move Sabatini's.  Unless they do some reconfiguring to make it more set off from the strolling passengers.  

Agreed.

I didn't like the area before and unless they block off people passing by it'll still be terrible.

[Devoncruiser82]

We have a Sur le Mer booking on our upcoming post dry dock on Sky. Hopefully Princess switch the booking if the restaurant changes. 

[fpsphil]

2 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

Perhaps, but nothing about the following prose strikes me as all taking place from a venue that is as small as the Grill, with a "kitchen" area that is nothing more than a 3x4 flat-top grill. The write-up below suggests (to me) a place to sit and the built-out of a merch area, neither of which fit within the current footprint of the Grill. 

 

Princess is also adding the authentic and world-famous Salty Dog Café, the original, world-famous Hilton Head eatery that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors a year, to the Lido Deck on Enchanted Princess. Now Princess guests can enjoy original 'Salty Dog Café' menu items like the Prime Burger and the Chicken Strip Basket, while learning about the legend of Jake, the café's iconic dog in the yellow hat. The café's epic, branded merchandise featuring the restaurant's iconic mascot will also be available for purchase.

Not sure though where they could fit in another kitchen up on Lido. I don't think there is any expansion space out by the terrace pool. Only place they could maybe maybe squeeze something in is the port side seawalk where the towel stand is

[JimmyVWine]

Just now, fpsphil said:

Only place they could maybe maybe squeeze something in is the port side seawalk where the towel stand is

That's what I am thinking.  I found the reference to the Salty Dog in Hilton Head instructive.  Here is what (a part of) that venue looks like.  Could be a seating area placed on the Sea Walk with waiter service, and the food is cooked to order in the buffet area.

 

[Yowman]

22 minutes ago, Devoncruiser82 said:

We have a Sur le Mer booking on our upcoming post dry dock on Sky. Hopefully Princess switch the booking if the restaurant changes. 

 

See my post here: 

 

[Labanos]

As I understand it, the 7th floor will be changed in a more Italian atmosphere with Bellini's, Gigi's and Sabatini's.  Fingers crossed they also change the routing when working on it.

[Devoncruiser82]

13 minutes ago, Yowman said:

 

See my post here: 

 

Thank you! Fingers crossed 

[cruisequeen4ever]

My curiosity is piqued. Though we were hoping to fry Bistro Sue La Mer this summer on the Enchanted, The Catch will be fun to try, and I know my hubby will love the new Irish pub! 

[startedwithamouse]

5 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

More paid venues, less public space.

If you read the article posted, you can see that it replaces the French bistro on deck 7. How is that taking away from public space?

 

[dides]

7 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Looks like the Harmony Chinese restaurant on the Majestic will be replaced by The Catch???

Why would Harmony be going? Majestic was the first Royal class ship to have Bistro Sur La Mer so would have thought it would be the one replaced.