Cruiser-T Posted February 22, 2009 #26 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Change your schedule and DO BOTH:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellalago Breeze Posted February 22, 2009 #27 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Another vote for Portofino. We've done both multiple times, and while Chops is a nice place, it doesn't have the WOW factor Portofino has. There are a number of little extras included that Chops just doesn't have - the bread with various spreads, the diversity of the menu, and desserts to die for. Aside from the delicious food, it's much more romantic, if you want a special evening with your sweetie. That being said, we'll be having dinner there this week on the Navigator as DH and I celebrate our 43rd anniversary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorrorFan Posted February 22, 2009 #28 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I've only been to Portofino but it was excellent. I will be going to both in 19 days on Jewel. :) EDIT: Heh, Actually I will be going to both when I go on the Jewel in 19 days, I won't actually be going to both in 19 days...eh, you know what i mean. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroncosFan2010 Posted February 22, 2009 Author #29 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Thank for the helpful responses! We were leaning towards Portifino, and I beleive that is the decision we are going to make. I am so excited! We will likely try Chops on our next cruise, or maybe splurge for both. (the reason we can only do one is because we only have one night not planned with the people we are cruising with.) Okay, now that we have made a decision: What should we order? DH is allergic to any and all seafood, so he will probably get the filet. What is offered on the menu and what is your favorites? And one more question about dessert: Can you get more than one? I feel that I would have to try the chocolate and the tiramisu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmndlil Posted February 22, 2009 #30 Share Posted February 22, 2009 You could always get the dessert sampler. It has a little taste of each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powriv Posted February 22, 2009 #31 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Great restaurant!! Tried it on Radiance coming back from Alaska and it was wonderful. Got the seafood skewer and the food was cooked to perfection I got the dessert sampler and wish I could have had more of each one of them as they were tasty tasty tasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richro Posted February 22, 2009 #32 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Steak = Chops....hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridog22 Posted February 22, 2009 #33 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I guess you can't go wrong with either. Only been to chops and I had a great steak dinner and apps/sides and dessert were excellent also. No matter what you choose they will be exponentially better then the MDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy007 Posted February 22, 2009 #34 Share Posted February 22, 2009 We went to Chops twice, both times l had the fillet, it was to die for. I also had crab cake starter(simply gorgeous) and a chocolate cake for sweet. I cant remember what it was called but it was divine. The service both times was fantastic (2 young ladies) they were very attentive and even cut my husbands dinner up for him lol. I wouldnt hesitate in going back........hmmmmmmmmmmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoop4321 Posted February 22, 2009 #35 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Would you base the first opinion on comparing Chops and Portofino on the same ship? As for the 2nd opinion, could you have been in the early stages of a getting a cold? Based on my one time eating at Chops on Freedom, the steaks are extremely flavorful, the exact opposite of what you say. I remember people where I live talking about a great Chili/coney place and trying it for the first time and thinking it was flavorless, we didn't go back for years to try it again I was wrong. Turns out my cold had killed my tastebuds.[/quote We did both on the same ship. We had wonderful service in Portofino, while the service in Chops was not very good. Our waiter publicly dressed down one of the asst waiters in full view of everyone. Everyone was shocked! As she was so interested in bad mouthing her staff, she kept forgetting our check as we wanted to see Love and Marriage show. My husband actually had to stand up and track her down to get our check. We shrugged it off as a one time event, then we ate a Portofino. The food was incredible, service was awesome. Everything was wonderful....we ate too much...ugh. We declined dessert but they insisted that we take dessert back to our cabin (which meant we had to scoot if we wanted to make the show) We ate our dessert the next morning and had plenty to share with our son. We were very well on our trip, and as Portofino came the night after Chops, i feel confident that what we tasted was a flavor less steak. It tasted like one of those wal-mart water pumped steaks. It is entirely possible that the steaks were not of usual quality. The baked potato however was cold, and the lobster bisque was no where close to Papa Joe's in the keys. It tasted like Campbell's tomato soup. If there was lobster in that bisque....it swam away. We won't try Chops again. I can make a better dinner than what we received for far less money or we can go to Ruth's Chris....my favorite steak chain. We are however, quite happy to return to Portofino. They made the evening very enjoyable, the food is something I would need a recipe to recreate, and it was very yummy. I do understand that as far as service, we may have had a unique experience. That is why I kept it to the food. The food was bland, and not worth the money. Perhaps the cook was mad at the witch of a waitress....I don't know. We however suffered through tasteless food and bad service. Never again, and we did put this on our comment cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massfriends Posted February 22, 2009 #36 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Thank for the helpful responses! We were leaning towards Portifino, and I beleive that is the decision we are going to make. I am so excited! We will likely try Chops on our next cruise, or maybe splurge for both. (the reason we can only do one is because we only have one night not planned with the people we are cruising with.) Okay, now that we have made a decision: What should we order? DH is allergic to any and all seafood, so he will probably get the filet. What is offered on the menu and what is your favorites? And one more question about dessert: Can you get more than one? I feel that I would have to try the chocolate and the tiramisu. Here you go.......Enjoy!!!! Don't forget to add a great bottle of wine.....:) Appetizers,Soups and Salads INSALATA CAPRESE Vine ripened grape tomatoes, baby bocconcini and basil pesto CARPACCIO CON SCAGLIE DI PARMIGIANO Thinly sliced seared beef tenderloin with bitter greens and plum tomato julienne, lemon infused olive oil and roasted pine kernels INSALATA DI PETTO DI ANATRA AFFUMICATA Sliced smoked duck over arugula and field mushroom confit, with Parmesan shaving and truffle oil drizzle RISOTTO AI GAMBERETTI Tiger shrimp sautéed with fresh herbs, on a bed of creamy saffron risotto MELANZANE RIPIENI DI RICOTTA E SPINACI ALLA PARMIGIANA Eggplant roulades filled with ricotta and spinach, Parmesan style CALAMARI FRITTI ALLA LIGURE With white balsamic-romaine dip, and a tomato, black olive and pine nut salsa ZUPPA DEL GIORNO Soup of the Day ZUPPA FREDDA DI POMODORI E PEPERONI DOLCI CON CAPESANTE ED AVOCADO Chilled plum tomato and sweet pimiento soup with seared scallops and avocado ZUPPA GRAN FARRO Traditional Tuscan bean soup with barley pearls and garlic crostini Salads INSALATA DI PERE E GORGONZOLA Mesclun greens, crumbled Gorgonzola, slices of crisp pears and roasted candied walnuts, served with house dressing INSALATA ALLA CESARE Romaine lettuce with herb croutons, shaved Parmesan and traditional dressing. Prepared à la minute. Pasta PENNE ALLA CAMINETTO Penne pasta with beef ragù, plum tomatoes and garlic confit, finished with shaved Parmesan and fresh parsley PAPPARDELLE MANTECATE CON CREMA AL MASCARPONE, FUNGHI ARROSTO E TIMO Ribbon pasta with roasted mushrooms and fresh thyme lightly tossed in a mascarpone cream sauce SPAGHETTI DI MARE Shrimp, bay scallops, squid and mussels in garlic-herb sauce, tossed with spaghetti and grape tomatoes Pietanze MainCourses 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 and prosciutto, pan-fried with porcini mushroom risotto and Marsala jus FILETTO DI HALIBUT ALLA GRIGLIA Grilled fillet of Atlantic halibut over a citrus, crab and shrimp risotto, finished with salsa verde and lemon butter sauce FILETTO DI MANZO ALLA PIASTRA Grilled North American beef tenderloin on creamy truffle mashed potatoes, roasted garlic and seasonal vegetables SPIEDINO DI FRUTTI DI MARE ALLA TOSCANA Skewer of Maine lobster, gamberoni, scallops and salmon, grilled and served with Ligurian potatoes, and sun-dried tomato beurre blanc PETTO DI POLLO MARINATO CON ERBE DI CAMPO, SALSA SCAPRICCIO Herb marinated skin on chicken breast, baked crispy, accompanied by golden shallots, baby vegetables and Scapriccio sauce Dessert DOLCETTI ALLA PORTOFINO Mini indulgences of Portofino sweet delights TORTA AL CIOCCOLATO CON PANNA MONTATA AL CAFE ESPRESSO Flourless Chocolate Cake and semi-whipped espresso cream TIRAMISU ALLA PORTOFINO A luscious favorite with crushed marinated raspberries PANNACOTTA AL PISTACCHIO Pistachio panna cotta, with strawberry-champagne ragout CROSTATA DI RICOTTA ALLE ALBICOCCHE Apricot-ricotta tart, white chocolate brulee and brandied apricots CHEESE SCELTA DI FORMAGGI ASSORTITI Asampling of italian cheese Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivycruise Posted February 22, 2009 #37 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I've only dined in Chops and Portofinos on the NOS and dined mostly in Portofinos. Both were excellent. While I agree that Chops is not to be compared exactly in quality to a Mortons or Ruth Chis steak house, the food was very good and service impeccable. Only reason I couldn't eat here multiple times on one trip is there is just too much food. I Certainly think its worth the $25. My favorite, at least on this ship,is Portofino's. While I also do not compare it food wise to the best Italian restaurants I've been to, it was very good and the staff and ambiance make it even more attractive. Just a very nice change from the chaos of the MDR. Well worth the $20 cover and look forward to dining there again. As mentioned, if you're OK with only having the one steak choice, the filet, which is very good, in Portofino's then it might be a good choice. If you or your husband want multiple meat choices then Chops may fit the bill for the one night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI Cruiser Posted February 22, 2009 #38 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Our fondest memories of a family cruise we did on board the NOS are from Portofinos. The food, the company and the good time together we shared could not have been better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahrbrat Posted February 22, 2009 #39 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Okay...now that I've seen the menu I am absolutely drooling! :p We have pre-booked two nights at Portofino's on our upcoming Voyager cruise and are very much looking forward to it. We haven't yet been disappointed on past specialty dining experiences (HAL, Celebrity, Carnival) and this will be our first RCI cruise. I'm sure they won't disappoint, based on the rave reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyPinkCruiser Posted February 22, 2009 #40 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Another HUGE vote for Portofino! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc320 Posted February 22, 2009 #41 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Another vote for Portofino...I've eaten at Chops 2x on 2 different ships...it was a nice meal..but P just seems a notch above in service for some reason... BB, congrats to you & Bert on 43 years...enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massfriends Posted February 22, 2009 #42 Share Posted February 22, 2009 [quote name='lahrbrat']Okay...now that I've seen the menu I am absolutely drooling! :p We have pre-booked two nights at Portofino's on our upcoming Voyager cruise and are very much looking forward to it. We haven't yet been disappointed on past specialty dining experiences (HAL, Celebrity, Carnival) and this will be our first RCI cruise. I'm sure they won't disappoint, based on the rave reviews.[/QUOTE] We just did the 12 night sailing on Explorer of the Sea's, Feb. 1st to 12th......we dined at Portofino 3 nights!!!! Enjoy!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroncosFan2010 Posted February 22, 2009 Author #43 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Okay, after seeing the menu I am absolutely sure I want to eat a Portofinos! There is NO WAY I will be able to make up my mind on the food, and will be extra happy that DH is there to order so I can taste his food as well as mine! I am so excited about this now! My only fear..... Will I ever want to venture back into the MDR???:confused::p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicardoC Posted February 23, 2009 #44 Share Posted February 23, 2009 [B]We had awesome meals on both but on Chops you'll have a stake like in every stakehouse while on Portofino you'll have different chocies of italian and mediterranean foods:cool:[/B] [B]MY VOTE IS FOR PORTOFINO TOO;):D[/B] [B]Hope it helps:)[/B] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticpen80 Posted February 23, 2009 #45 Share Posted February 23, 2009 We've been to both Chops and Portifinos and love them both. If I only had one to chose from it would be Portifinos. Like other poster are saying if you are a steak love the Filet they have is fantastic and the sea food skewer for seafood lovers is out of this world. We have both booked for our cruise and to tell you the truth once you dine at both of these resturants you will have a very hard time going back to the dining room. I told my husband on the last crusie.."I think if we ever cruise again we'll budget to eat all of our meals in Portifinos and Chops" well this time we didn't budget for that but if you think about it, it would only be an additional $280-$350 for the week for 5 star food and treatment. But we decided to enjoy the MDR for 5 nights also. And spend the rest on adult beverages!:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvluv2cruise Posted February 23, 2009 #46 Share Posted February 23, 2009 [quote name='Mokaheena']DH and I are steak lovers, but we also love Italian food. We are only able to pick ONE specialty restaurat on our sailing. So, tell me which one we should choose: Chops or Portofinos? And give me your honest opinion, if you choose Chops, is it worth the extra $5 per person and WHY???[/quote] Chops is by far the best choice. Portofino is great too, and they have an excellent Filet Mignon you can choose. But, if i was only able to choose one I would take Chops. You will be able to choose your meat, of course. The waiter will show you all the meats on a presentation tray, raw. You will pick the cut that looks best to you. Be sure to try the pear and gorgonzola salad and don't forget the mud pie! All excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted February 23, 2009 #47 Share Posted February 23, 2009 What about the time spent in each? I think I remember about an hour in Chops. The idea of a 2-3 hour dinner doesn't appeal to me that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlitterGirlFL Posted February 23, 2009 #48 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Chops gets my vote we have been to both many times and love them both but Chops has the best steak I have ever had on board a cruise ship service is excellent and the atmosphere if you chose a night that you are late in port to dine is great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser-T Posted February 23, 2009 #49 Share Posted February 23, 2009 It is about a 2 hour dining experience in both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annieeee Posted February 23, 2009 #50 Share Posted February 23, 2009 If I have to pick one over the other, then my choice has to be Portofino's. We have dined at both specialty restaurants multiple times on different ships, and the steak in Portofino's has always been excellent. Have a great cruise. Annieeee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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