AOS - formal nights/Portofino's

[BlueEyz119]

I'm so exited!!! Only 12 more days until DH and I celebrate our 5th anniversary on AOS.

 

It is a seven-night cruise. How many formal nights are there...and does anyone know which days they fall on?

 

Also, I have heard about Portofino's. It has always been my opinion that we have already paid for the cruise- so why pay more for a dinner at Portofino's.

 

However, I can be persuaded if it is worth the experience - especially celebrating our anniversary. Is the dining experience worth the expense? Is the food really really good? We are more simple eaters and I'm a little wary of "cuisine".

 

Any opinions are welcome! Thanks!

[FitzLA]

There will be 2 formal nights.

 

And Chops and Portofino are $20 pp and well worth it. Much better quality than the dining room food. You could never get that quailty food in land based restaurants for $20 pp. And you can eat when you want (provided you made reservations) and have a table to yourself. Definitely try it!!!

[April-in-NC]

I will be on AOS next May and we are considering splurging for the specialty meal. I've heard rave reviews about the menue and the 7 course meal, but I've not heard the meal described. Does anyone have a menu or can someone describe the food served?

 

Many thanks!

[maxs mom]

Was on the AOS last week. The Barbados Route. The formal nights were Monday and Thursday. We went to Portofino's on Tuesday. The food is excellent and well worth the extra charge. We had a very nice evening there. We usually only eat at Chops, but there isn't one on the AOS. I eat just about everything and I like trying new things. My husband, on the other hand, is a very picky eater. He wouldn't touch anything on that menu. They were very accomodating and brought him a melt in your mouth filet mignon, a baked potato, and a wedge of lettuce and he was happy. I got to eat the foods that I enjoy, so it worked out well.

 

Go......enjoy.....you'll be glad you did!

[nanfromatlanta]

I will be on AOS next May and we are considering splurging for the specialty meal. I've heard rave reviews about the menue and the 7 course meal, but I've not heard the meal described. Does anyone have a menu or can someone describe the food served?

 

Many thanks!

 

 

Portofino Menu

 

Appetizers, Soups, Salads

 

Carpaccio Con Scaglie Di Parmigiano- Thinly sliced seared tenderloin with a salad of shaved fennel, argula and sun-dried tomatoes, finished with lemon-infused olive oil and roasted pine seeds

 

Sformato Al Formaggio Caprino, Insalatina Di Campo E Funghi Trifolati Profumati Al Tartufo- Warm double baked goat cheese souffle served on a bed of forest mushrooms with crisp garden greens, sage-infused cream and drizzled with truffle oil

 

Risotto Ai Gamberetti- Tiger shrimp sauteed with fresh herbs on a bed of creamy saffron risotto

 

Insalata Caprese- Vine ripened yellow and red teardrop tomatoes with baby broccocini, basil, and red onion

 

Zuppa Lagunare Agli Asparagi E Filetti Di Trota Affumicata- Cream of asparagus with julienne-smoked river trout

 

Zuppa Fredda Di Pomodori E Peperoni Dolci Con Capesante Ed Avocado- Chilled plum tomato and pepper soup with seared scallops and avacado

 

Zuppa Del Giorno- Soup of the day

 

Insalata Di Pere E Gorgonzola- Mesclun greens, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, slices of crip pears and roasted candied walnuts served with house dressing

 

Insalata All Cesare- Romaine lettuce with shaved parmesan, herb croutons, and traditional dressing. Prepared a la minute in the dining room

 

Pasta

 

Penne D'angelo, Salsa Di Pomodoro San Marzono Con Prosciutto Crudo E Basilico- Penne pasta with vine-ripened tomoatoes, prosciutto, fresh basil, and shaved Parmesan cheese

 

Pappardelle Mantecate Con Crema Marscaponem, Funghi Arrosto E Timo- Ribbon pasta with roasted mushrooms and fresh thyme, lightly tossed in a marscapone cream sauce

 

Spaghetti All'arargosta E Mazzancolle- Chunks of lobster, roasted zucchini, and garden peas, with a piquant lobster basil sauce

 

Main Courses

Gamberoni Cotti In Padella Al Profumo Di Mare- Tiger shrimp, roasted garlic and fresh herbs, served on a bed of grilled asparagus and baby vegetables

 

Saltimbocca Alla Romana- Thinly sliced veal wrapped with fresh sage abd prosciutto, pan-friend with porcini mushrom risotto and Marsala jus

 

Filetto Di Manzo Alla Piastra- Girlled North American beef tenderloin on creamy truffle mashed potatoes, roasted and carmelized garlic and seasonal vegetables

 

Filetto Di Tonno Ai Ferri Marinato Con Succo Di Limone Ed Olio Extra-Vergine D'Oliva- Olive oil and lemon marinated tuna steak with grilled fennel and chili-tomato compote

 

Scaloppa Di Pollo Alla Parmigiana, Salsa Di Pomodoro E Pesto Alla Genovese- Corn-fed chicken, baked with eggplant and mozzarella, with an herbed potato cake and Ligurian tomato-pesto sauce

 

Filetto Di Halibut "Ippoglosso" Alla Piastra- Grilled fillet of Atlantic halibut on wilted baby spinach, with lobster ravioli and roasted purple onions, sun-dried tomato confit and basil oil

 

Desserts

 

Torta Al Cioccolato Gianduia E Mandorle Con Crema Al Caramello E Gelato Al Caffe Espresso- Flourless gianduia chocolate cake, served with semi-whipped espresso cream

 

Tiramisu Alla Portofino- A traditional favorite, with crushed marinated rasperries

 

Rollo Di Neve Meringata Alla Nocciole Tostate Ripieno Con Panna Profumata Al Frangelico, Crema Al Caffe- Roasted hazelnut meringue on mixed forest berries with Frangelico sabayon

 

Pannacotta Alla Veneziana con Agrumi Profumati Alla Menta- Buttermilk panna cotta with a refreshing minted citrus salad

 

Tartufo Di Cioccolato Bianco Al Latte Con Fragole- White chocolate truffle cake with vintage balsamic vinegar, tossed strawberries

 

Cheeses

 

Scelta Di Formaggi Assortiti- A samping of Italian cheeses

 

 

 

Chops

 

Appetizers

 

Shrimp Cocktail- Served with traditional American cocktail sauce

 

Maryland crab cake- Succulent crabmeat bound with herbs and vegetables, lightly breaded, sauteed golden brown, served with poblano aioli

 

Portobello caps- Marinated with garlic and olive oil, grilled, served with roasted red bell peppers, goat cheese crostini and a balsamic reduction

 

Cheese 'n' onion soup- Gruyere cheese tops this hearty favorite

 

New England clam chowder- A creamy, flavorful soup topped with oyster crackers

 

"Chops' Salad"- Seasoned greens, red and yellow tomoatoes, mushrooms and artichoke hearts

 

Beekfsteak Tomato- Tomato and red onion slices sprinkled with Roquefort cheese

 

Traditional Caesar- Romaine lettuce with shaved Parmesan herb croutons and Caesar dressing

 

Followed By

 

Prime rib of beef- Crusted with our Royal Culinary Collections spices, roasted and sreved with natural pan gravy

 

Filet Mignon- 10 ounces of a thick and flavorful cut from the tenderloin

 

Small Filet Mignon- 7 ounces of a thick and flavorful cut from the tenderloin

 

Chops signature New York striploin steak- 10 ounces of your all-time favorite, enhanced by the slightly sweet taste of mesquite smoke seasoning

 

Veal chop- 10 ounces, tender and tasty, broiled and served on the bone

 

Colorado lamb chops- Two large double-rip chops, crusted with Dijon mustard and our Royal Culinary Collections blend of seasonings

 

Royal pork shank- Braised in a delicious balsamic BBQ sauce

 

Rotisserie chicken- Marinated in our Royal blend of spices

 

Mesquite grilled salmon- A center-cute fillet enhanced by the sweet hint of mesquite-smoked seasoning

 

Sides and Vegetables

 

Baked Idaho potato

Home fried potatoes with sauteed onions

Mashed potatoes

Creamed spinach

Steamed asparagus

Sauteed mushrooms

Fried onion rings

Rice pilaf

 

To End the Feast

 

Chocolate mud pie- Our version of this regional Mississippi favorite

 

Apple pie a la mode- Slices of Golden Delicious apples baked in a double-crust pastry, topped with vanilla ice cream

 

Chops raspberry cheesecake- Luscious cake with fresh raspberry coulis

 

Warm Brioche pudding- Made with cubed brioch, cognac-macerated raisins and orange zest custard, served with warm caramel-bourbon sauce

 

Hungry now????:D

[MiniMom57]

Nan....that menu sounds great! We were on AOS in March and the Portofino menu was a little different than you described, but similar dishes.

 

It was well worth the extra fee!!!

[amapola]

On the AOS this past January, DH and I decided to skip the dining room altogether. We at at the WJ most nights but on both formal nights we ate at Portofino. We certainly didn't want to do a buffet in our formals :D . It was worth every penny of the $20. The service, food, ambiance were all worth it.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

On the AOS this past January, DH and I decided to skip the dining room altogether. We at at the WJ most nights but on both formal nights we ate at Portofino. We certainly didn't want to do a buffet in our formals :D . It was worth every penny of the $20. The service, food, ambiance were all worth it.

 

That exactly what we usually do on our cruises. On formal nights we eat in Portofino and most other nights we eat in the buffet or some other light venue, but avoid the dining room.

[flamingo21401]

We sailed on the AOS two years ago and I still think about the tiramisu. Make sure you save room. It was fabulous. The dining room was great but the service in Portofino's will amaze you. They allow at least 2 hours for your meal. It's a more relaxed environment because they are not trying to hurry you along. Enjoy!

[ginny726]

We were on AOS last week and ate at Portofino's on Wednesday night. It was fantastic. The menu was different than the one posted but just as good. We felt is was worth the extra money. The service was amazing. Desserts were to die for. I had the tiramisu and my husband had the dessert sampler. If we hadn't been so full - we would have ordered seconds on dessert!!!

 

Enjoy!

[BlueEyz119]

Yummmm. The menu sounds divine - for me. I'm worried about my husband, though. He definitely will turn a nose up on that menu. He is very plain steak and potato man. Maybe I can convince him...but I don't know....

 

Thanks for all your comments, though!!

[crock921]

i know this is a dumb question and i am pretty sure i know the answer, but Portoinos is all you can eat right? I thought it was...

[ginny726]

Yes - all you can eat! You just pay for drinks - soda, wine, beer, mixed drinks, etc. Plus a tip

[maxs mom]

Don't worry about your husband being a steak and potao guy. As I said.....they brought my husband a wonderful steak, baked potato, and a wedge of lettuce. Then I enjoyed all the fabulous things on the menu. I feel sorry for picky eaters.