Some recent HAL menu selections

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I've noticed several inquiries regarding the quality of Holland America's food in the main dining room. So I thought I would take it upon myself to post some menu selections from our cruise last month to Alaska on Zaandam. I'm not very computer savvy, nor do I have the equipment for scanning, so this is just a compilation I copied from the menus I have on hand. Apologies for spelling mistakes. The florid prose used to describe the items is HAL's, not mine.:) This is only a sampling from a couple of evening's menus. The entire menus comprised a much larger selection.

 

Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Selection

 

Appetizer:

 

Carpaccio of Seared Ahi Tuna

with a spiky papaya ginger relish and fried ginger chips

 

Captain's Antipasto Plate

Italian terrine, thinly sliced dried bresaola beef, dry-cured coppa pork and moist paper-thin prosciutto, served with robust Sicilian-style roasted vegetables

 

Soups and Salads:

 

Ketchikan Smoked Seafood Chowder

a variety of plump and tender seafood in a smoky flavored cream, topped with oyster crackers

 

Wild Native Alaskan Berry Blend

with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, topped with tangy lime sorbet

 

Northwest Gourmet Greens

topped with creamy herbed goat cheese, toasted pecans, sun-warmed cherry tomato and fresh orange segments

 

Entrees:

 

Thyme Roasted Venison Fillet with Red Onion

served with poached figs, crisp summer vegetables and creamy polenta

 

Klondike Style Halibut

local-style wine-marinated Alaskan halibut baked with sour cream, sprinkled with crumbs, served with asparagus tips and chive mashed potato

 

Desserts:

 

Chocolate Mousse in Basket

a classic French mousse, voluptuously smooth yet light

 

Rustic Pear Galette

a hand-formed tart topped with a juicy pear nestled in an almond cream and sprinkled with crunchy sliced almonds

 

Captain's Gala Dinner Menu

 

 

Appetizers:

 

Glacier Bay Salmon Cake

a delicate mixture of northwest salmon with celery, onion, and sherry wine, served with whole grain mustard sauce

 

Pate en Croute

a coarse blended pate made of chicken and pistachio, served with a classic Cumberland sauce

 

Soups and Salads:

 

French Onion Soup

Richly intense caramelized onions glazed with dry red wine in a savory clear broth, baked with Gruyere cheese

 

Salad of Arugula and Frisee

with William pear, key lime and passion fruit vinaigrette

 

Entrees:

 

Fillet of Beef Wellington

tenderloin of beef topped with a duxelle of duck liver and mushrooms, wrapped in puff pastry and baked to a golden brown, served on a mirror of Madeira sauce with a medley of green asparagus, baby carrots and croquette potatoes

 

Almond Crusted Fresh Wild Salmon with Leek and Lemon Cream

baked with a crunchy crown of sliced almonds and served with a leek-cream sauce, sauteed baby carrots, zucchini ribbons and red bell pepper

 

Desserts:

 

Chocolate Souffle

French chocolate lightened with egg white foam and baked to lofty heights, served with Jamaican rum sauce

 

Double Strawberry Cheesecake

a luscious blend of low fat cream cheese, fresh egg and sugar, served with a shimmery fresh strawberry sauce

[mailbroad]

thanks!:)

[kakalina]

Thanks MAM now I am soooo hungry!!

[RuthC]

I'm ready to order. :D

[hugger]

I was just corresponding by email with my SIL who is onboard the Island Princess now en route to Hawaii. I was lamenting the fact that we weren't onboard with our gang. I was just writing and asking what they were having for dinner so that I might vicariously be cruising with them :rolleyes:

We just received our doc's for the Veendam 11-4 today.

THANK YOU for a timely post for us.

:o

[hammybee]

May I have the children's menu please.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

May I have the children's menu please.

 

Pour vous, Madame, je suis a votre service. (Ma'am, I'm at your service):

 

Holland America International Children's Menu

 

Golden Nugget Chicken

with fries and barbecue sauce

 

All American PB & J

peanut butter and jelly on white bread

with potato chips

 

Cheeseburger in Paradise

with or without cheese, garnished with pickles, lettuce, and tomato

 

Dutch Macaroni and Cheese

We feature Kraft cheese and macaroni, an old Dutch favorite

 

English Fish and Chips

two fillets of cod, lightly breaded, with fries and cole slaw

 

Not so French Fries

 

The Frankfurt-er

hot dog with ketchup, mustard, and fries

 

A Pisa Pizza

your choice of cheese or pepperoni

 

Attsa Lottsa Pasta

spaghetti topped with meatballs and parmesan cheese, with garlic toast

 

Great Pyramid Grilled Cheese

stacked like a pyramid, with fries

 

Chicken Soup for the Sol

just like at home with saltine crackers

 

For Dessert, a variety of ice cream

 

 

You see, I saved just about everything from our cruise:D

[hammybee]

Pour vous, Madame, je suis a votre service. (Ma'am, I'm at your service):

 

 

You see, I saved just about everything from our cruise:D

 

Thank you. I really do belong at the children's table.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Thank you. I really do belong at the children's table.

 

Yes, Hammy dear, I know.:)

 

Karin

[Vic The Parrot]

Oh no ... the "goat cheese plague" has invaded the other ships! :eek:

[newmexicoNita]

Golly I have been reading all these menues for the past couple of weeks and no mention of Escargot in main dining room or PG. I sure hope I am not going to have to cruise without having my usual....???? NMNita

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Golly I have been reading all these menues for the past couple of weeks and no mention of Escargot in main dining room or PG. I sure hope I am not going to have to cruise without having my usual....???? NMNita

 

Never fear, here is an excerpt from the second formal dinner on our 7-day cruise:

 

"Farewell Dinner" Menu (Main Dining Room)

 

Appetizers

 

Escargots Bourguignonne

Delectable snails marinated in Pernod and Chablis, lightly baked in an herb garlic butter, served with French bread

 

Enjoy!:)

[cool change]

Can big kids (me) order off of the kids menu and do I just ask the waiter? There are days on a long cruise when a grilled cheese sounds perfect.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Can big kids (me) order off of the kids menu and do I just ask the waiter? There are days on a long cruise when a grilled cheese sounds perfect.

 

Thanks to Ruth C here on this board, I now know that the answer to your two questions is yes and yes:)

[RuthC]

Thanks for the honorable mention, M-a M. :D

RuthC is partial to the fingers and fries:) ; she does not recommend the fish sticks:rolleyes: .

I haven't seen it on a (adult) menu in a while, but if you ever see the appetizer of almond crusted chicken it's delish! And it can be ordered as an entree, too! :)