Restaurant Reservations in Advance?

[mollybax]

Is it recommended and/or common to make dining reservations prior to cruising? It looks like your credit card is charged when you make the reservation, but what happens if I end up getting a gift for dining from my TA or other person, can I get my money back?

Does the Tamarind serve the same menu for lunch as it does for dinner? Can you make advanced reservations for lunch prior to sailing?

I don't want to miss out on trying these dining options. So many great things have been said about them.

Thanks,
MollyBax:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We make a couple of reservations before we leave -- there were a couple of times when we got to the ship and the Pinnacle was completely sold out for the cruise.

Should your TA give you a free dinner, you can always cancel the one you made before hand -- you will get the money back as a shipboard credit.

Yes -- you will need to have your charge card handy if you prebook any of the specialty restaurants.

Tamarind does not accept reservations for lunch until you are on the ship.

The menu are different for lunch and dinner at the Tamarind.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Tamarind Lunch is free -- need reservations once on the ship.

It is a set menu -- only get to choose dessert:


Hot and Sour Soup

Asian Herb Szechuan Sesame Salad

Steamed Classic Dumplings:
Chicken
Asian Pork
Steam Vegetable
Spinach and Mushroom
Shrimp 'Shu Mat'

From the Wok:
Vegetable Spring Roll
Spicy Crab Sushi Nugget
Shrimp Won Ton Sticks
Shrimp Spring Roll
Spicy Crab Rangoon

Holland America Line Culinary Fusion Sauces:
Bora Bora BBQ - tomato, ginger, aged vinegar, soy sauce
Mirin Pesto - sweet wine, soy, fresh basil, garlic, lemon grass
Coco Churri - coconut, cilantro, chili, lime
Shoyu Sabi - classic flavors of soy and wasabi

Choice of One Dessert:
Mango Sirbet
Coconut Ice Cream
Egg Tart
Green Tea Tiramisu

[Krazy Kruizers]

Tamarind dinner

When you sit down at the table, a couple of servers will come to the table -- one will pour Jasmine tea while the other one gives you a HOT towel to cleanse your hands. Then you are given your menu. There are already 4 small sauce bowls on the table -- there is a soy sauce; a sweet-sour sauce; a garlic-chili pepper sauce; and a Japanese horseradish sauce (very hot). You are brought a basket of Shrimp Crackers.

SOUP:
Yin-Yang Scallop Consomme’ - tender sea scallops & julienne cut squash in a ginger infused shellfish broth sprinkled with minced scallions

Jewels of the Sea - delicate shrimp filled won ton with sliced baby bok choy in a fragrant lemongrass & sesame broth

Chicken Pho with Wild Lime & Rice Stick noodles - shredded chicken & rice noodles in a coconut milk broth flavored with lime leaf, cilantro, galangal, mint, bean sprouts & Serrano chilies



Appetizers:

Trail of Spices Satay Sampler - Malaysian-spiced lamb, Chinese pork, Thai -spiced beef, Indonesian-spiced chicken & Vietnamese-spiced shrimp served with Asian pickled vegetables & 2 traditional dipping sauces

Shrimp Tempura Indochina - sweet, fresh shrimp dipped in a light batter & fried and served with a tart-and-sweet green papaya salad & garlic chili sauce

Shanghai Ribs - five-spiced rubbed baby-back pork ribs, served over a Chinese pickled cabbage salad with a Tamarind chutney

Streetside Pot Stckers - succulent lobster, pork and chicken dumplimngs, shallow-fried till crispy on the bottom and served with a vinegar-soy ponzu dipping sauce

Spring Roll Delights - a trio of spring rolls: crispy duck, vegetable and a rice paper wrapped lobster roll, served with plum and sweet chili sauces

Thai Beef Salad - rare-seared beef, tossed with scallions, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers -- presented on salad greens and sprinkled with fresh mint, chilies and a lime-leaf dressing

Green Papaya Salad - freshly shredded raw vegetables and spinach, tomato, water chestnuts and papaya tossed with lime juice & palm sugar

Sushi & Sashimi Menu

YOUR CHOICE OF 6 ITEMS AS AN APPETIZER OR 12 AS AN ENTRÉE

Sashimi - tuna, salmon, snapper. Octopus

Nigiri Sushi - tuna, salmon, snapper, Octopus

Sushi Rolls:
Rainbow (reversed California roll topped with an assortment of fish)

California - crab and avocado

Salmon Tsutsumi - salmon, avocado, cream cheese

Tuna Tsutsumi - vegetable roll topped with tuna slices

Yozo - snapper, masago, asparagus, Japanese mayonnaise

Yoshi - tempura snapper, avocado, scallion, Japanese mayonnaise

Wraps - Indonesian vegetable, seafood, lettuce, chicken



Entrees:

Water:

Hoisin-Lime Glazed Sea Bass - Golden pan-seared fish crowned with crisp wok-seared Asian greens

Asia-Pacific Hot Pot - A one-pot surprise consisting of shrimp, scallops, Manila clams, rock fish, crab legs, squid, scallions, shallots, garlic, lemon grass and coriander leaves all braised in a flavorful stock

Baked Snapper in Rice Paper - Snapper marinated in a sake and citrus liquor, then golden baked and served atop ginger and garlic steamed Asian greens


Wood:

Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin Steak - Served on an oak wood cedar plank and complimented with tempura-style onion rings and vegetables

Scallops & Prawns with Garlic, Ginger and Chili - steamed to perfection and presented in a bamboo basket and drizzled with a light soy sauce

Cantonese Duck & Hainan Rice - roasted, served on a bed chicken borth infused rice and garnished with flakes of fresh chili and cilantro


Fire:

Shrimp Szechuan with Thai Basil - Shrimp sauteed with chili peppers, Asian spices, straw mushrooms, sweet bell peppers and scallions glazed in a light chili sauce

Penang Red Curry Coconut Chicken - A mild spicy dish consisting of chicken cubes braised with Chinese pea pods, eggplant, green zucchini, red pimiento, opal basil, lemon grass and lime juice - presented in a bath of red curry and coconut milk

Vietnamese-Style Lamb with Mint - Thinly sliced lamb loin quickly sautéed with bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, fresh spinach leaves, minced garlic and scallions


Earth:

Five-spice Seitan & Tempeh - quickly seared with thinly sliced red bell pepper, enoki mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, scallions, garlic, ginger and soy sauce - served with lime wedges

Sesame Udon Noodles - flat Japanese wheat noodles, stir-fried with tofu, scallions, vegetables, sesame oil and chilies, and sprinkled with toasted peanuts and sesame oil

Sweet and Sour Vegetable Tempura - asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, green beans, and carrots dipped in a light batter and fried - garnished with fruits and served with Tamarind glaze

On The Side:

Steamed seasonal garden vegetables with red miso garlic sauce

Steamed Jasmine rice OR Brown rice

Stir-fried cucumber, snow peas, mushrooms, scallions and chili with sesame seeds

Bok Choy with oyster sauce

Sake-braised oyster and ****ake mushrooms



Desserts:

Tamarind Chocolate - a bittersweet chocolate shell filled with a rich Tamarind & chili flavored chocolate and ginger mousse served with a red raspberry and black raspberry compote

Mango Cloud - a light egg white souffle served with a mango sorbet

Tempura Ice Cream - coconut & Javanese coffee with infused lemon grass sauce anglaise

Chocolate Almond Fortunw Cookie -- an almond baked tuile with a surprise filling of chocolate panache -- served with a scoop of coconut ice cream

Ginger Banana Bread Pudding - with tempura bananas and caramel sauce

Trio of Sorbets - passion fruit basil, lychee green tea and cube with shaved fruit juices

[Krazy Kruizers]

Forgot to mention that the Tamarind dinner is $15 per person.

Do you need the Canaleto or Pinnacle menus? There is a new menu for Pinnacle.

[mollybax]

Thank you so much for all the information and posting the Tamarind menu. The menu looks so good, it will be hard to wait until March. :)


Thanks Again!!
MollyBax

[skolega]

I would love to make reservations for myself, husband, and two teenage boys before we sail. When I try to make reservations for all four of us the boys are charged full price. I was under the impression that HAL gives a discount (50%) to kids 13-17 in the specialty restaurants. Should I make the reservations and pay the full price and then try to get an adjustment on board?

[IronLegs]

I would love to see the Canaleto menu as this is my first trip on a HAL ship with a Canaleto restaurant. Also is there a menu for the Tamarind rijsttafel dinner? Are the rijsttafel dishes very spicy?

Thanks

[sail7seas]

I would love to make reservations for myself, husband, and two teenage boys before we sail. When I try to make reservations for all four of us the boys are charged full price. I was under the impression that HAL gives a discount (50%) to kids 13-17 in the specialty restaurants. Should I make the reservations and pay the full price and then try to get an adjustment on board?
I've never heard of discount in Pinnacle for children....... :D particularly teenaged boys!! :eek: Wow, can they ever eat!!!

[catl331]

Also is there a menu for the Tamarind rijsttafel dinner? Are the rijsttafel dishes very spicy? The items served are fixed, so there isn't a "selection" menu per se. There is a card that is left on the table during the entire meal explaining what each dish is. They range from a very spicy satay to very bland, with most being in the middle-to-mild range. If you like spicy you can ask for sambal to add!

The HAL site says:
Rijsttafel at Tamarind will include an assortment of dishes from satay, steamed vegetables and sweet & sour pickles to braised poultry, stir fried lamb and seafood steamed in banana leaves.

I've never heard of discount in Pinnacle for children.......
The HAL site says:
Adults may dine for US$20.00 per person or lunch for US$10.00. Children under 12 dine free of charge. A rate of 50% applies for children between 13 years and under 18 years of age.

[skolega]

Yes, the HAL site says children 13-17 are 50% off in specialty restaurants. It makes it more affordable for our family. My kids enjoy fine dining and we are looking forward to trying these restaurants. I do want to make reservations in advance but I don't want to pay the full adult price in advance and then have to worry about getting a price adjustment. I was just thinking that someone might have run into this issue before. I guess I am just going to have to call HAL and make the reservations with them on the phone?

[dulcetto]

Forgot to mention that the Tamarind dinner is $15 per person.

Do you need the Canaleto or Pinnacle menus? There is a new menu for Pinnacle.
Hi Krazy Kruzer

Would love to see the new Pinnacle menu

Thanks:):)

[sail7seas]

The HAL site says:
Adults may dine for US$20.00 per person or lunch for US$10.00. Children under 12 dine free of charge. A rate of 50% applies for children between 13 years and under 18 years of age.


That's great to know. Thanks. Does make it more affordable for families. Good.

[PegIra]

I would love to see the Pinnacle Menu also. This is the first I have heard of Tamarind never having sailed before, I assume that is a themed restaurant? Is it on the Zuiderdam?

Thanks for any help,

Peg

[sail7seas]

Tamarind Restaurant, which serves Pan-Asian food, is on Eurodam and it is outstanding.... A wonderful dining experience.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I would love to see the Pinnacle Menu also. This is the first I have heard of Tamarind never having sailed before, I assume that is a themed restaurant? Is it on the Zuiderdam?

Thanks for any help,

Peg

The Tamarind is only on the Eurodam. It will also be on the Nieuw Amsterdam when she comes out.

Unfortunately the restaurant is too heavy to be added to any of the other ships.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Pinnacle Menu

The Beginning:
French Onion Soup King Louis XV - beef broth with aged cognac & caramelized onions, baked with gruyere croutons
Spicy Chicken Coconut Soup - fragrant coconut milk & lemon grass
Lobster Bisque - crème fraiche & aged sherry
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail - brandy horseradish cocktail sauce
Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad - sliced purple onion, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing
Baby Arugula Salad - tossed with sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and a warm bacon dressing topped with smoked bacon & chopped egg
Caesar Salad - crisp romaine tossed with very own Caesar dressing, grated parmesan cheese, garlic croutons and anchovies, prepared tableside
Dungeness Crab Cakes - spiral shaved cucumber & sweet chili-mustard sauce
Pinnacle Ocean Platter - carpaccio of lightly smoked salmon, accompanied with hot smoked salmon, sea scallops and wasabi cream



The Grill:
Filet Mignon, New York Strip Steak, Bone-In Rib Eye Steak, Porterhouse - served with our own hand crafted sauces: sun-dried tomato; Master Chef's green peppercorn bearnaise; horseradish mustard; hollandaise; maitre d' garlic butter

Colorado Lamb Chops - spiced apple chutney & fresh mint jelly

Grilled Veal Chop - marinated overnight in a savory blend of rosemary, garlic & pepper vinegar with scallions

Chicken Breast - stuffed with spinach & garlic herb cheese & served with lemon garlic beurre blanc sauce

Filet Steak Diane - pan-seared medallions of beef tenderloins & enriched with mushrooms & cognac

Filet Mignon Burger - a half-pound of freshly ground beef, fin herbs & truffle-infused


Sea Food:
Broiled King Salmon - troll caught (for sustainability) in Alaskan waters, quick seared & broiled, served with your choice of lemon garlic herb splash or sesame-soy kalbi

Broiled or Poached Lobster Tail - on a bed of wilted spinach & arugula, mustard seed & "mangochurri" pesto sauce or melted butter

Cedar Planked Black Cod with Shrimp Scampi - roasted garlic & cilantro butter

Pinnacle Signature Skewers:

Beef Delight - beef tenderloin marinated with parsley, onion, thyme, rosemary & marjoram

Tantalizing Lamb - lamb loins marinated with herbs, garlic, cumin, honey, coriandor & red chilies, served with yogurt sauce

Chicken & Turkey Temptation - with onion confit & tomato coulis

Deletable Seafood - shrimps & swordfish, seasoned with lemon, paprika, garlic, mustard, cayenne & dill

Vegetarian Zen - array of mixed vegetables seasoned with herbs de provence


Side Dishes:
Creamed Spinach, Sautéed Button Mushrooms, Sautéed Onions, Asparagus, Scalloped, Whipped, Jumbo Baked or Shoestring Potatoes and/or Basmati Rice

The Finale:
Not-So-Classic Baked Alaska, Warm Grand Marnier Chocolate Volcano Cake, Velvet Soufflé – Chocolate or Vanilla, Creamy Homemade Raspberry Cheesecake, Chocolate And Raisin Bread Pudding, Pinnacle Crème Brulee, Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Berries, Premium Ice Cream or Sorbets and/or the Assortment of International Cheeses.

[dulcetto]

Pinnacle Menu

The Beginning:
French Onion Soup King Louis XV - beef broth with aged cognac & caramelized onions, baked with gruyere croutons
Spicy Chicken Coconut Soup - fragrant coconut milk & lemon grass
Lobster Bisque - crème fraiche & aged sherry
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail - brandy horseradish cocktail sauce
Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad - sliced purple onion, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing
Baby Arugula Salad - tossed with sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and a warm bacon dressing topped with smoked bacon & chopped egg
Caesar Salad - crisp romaine tossed with very own Caesar dressing, grated parmesan cheese, garlic croutons and anchovies, prepared tableside
Dungeness Crab Cakes - spiral shaved cucumber & sweet chili-mustard sauce
Pinnacle Ocean Platter - carpaccio of lightly smoked salmon, accompanied with hot smoked salmon, sea scallops and wasabi cream



The Grill:
Filet Mignon, New York Strip Steak, Bone-In Rib Eye Steak, Porterhouse - served with our own hand crafted sauces: sun-dried tomato; Master Chef's green peppercorn bearnaise; horseradish mustard; hollandaise; maitre d' garlic butter

Colorado Lamb Chops - spiced apple chutney & fresh mint jelly

Grilled Veal Chop - marinated overnight in a savory blend of rosemary, garlic & pepper vinegar with scallions

Chicken Breast - stuffed with spinach & garlic herb cheese & served with lemon garlic beurre blanc sauce

Filet Steak Diane - pan-seared medallions of beef tenderloins & enriched with mushrooms & cognac

Filet Mignon Burger - a half-pound of freshly ground beef, fin herbs & truffle-infused


Sea Food:
Broiled King Salmon - troll caught (for sustainability) in Alaskan waters, quick seared & broiled, served with your choice of lemon garlic herb splash or sesame-soy kalbi

Broiled or Poached Lobster Tail - on a bed of wilted spinach & arugula, mustard seed & "mangochurri" pesto sauce or melted butter

Cedar Planked Black Cod with Shrimp Scampi - roasted garlic & cilantro butter

Pinnacle Signature Skewers:

Beef Delight - beef tenderloin marinated with parsley, onion, thyme, rosemary & marjoram

Tantalizing Lamb - lamb loins marinated with herbs, garlic, cumin, honey, coriandor & red chilies, served with yogurt sauce

Chicken & Turkey Temptation - with onion confit & tomato coulis

Deletable Seafood - shrimps & swordfish, seasoned with lemon, paprika, garlic, mustard, cayenne & dill

Vegetarian Zen - array of mixed vegetables seasoned with herbs de provence


Side Dishes:
Creamed Spinach, Sautéed Button Mushrooms, Sautéed Onions, Asparagus, Scalloped, Whipped, Jumbo Baked or Shoestring Potatoes and/or Basmati Rice

The Finale:
Not-So-Classic Baked Alaska, Warm Grand Marnier Chocolate Volcano Cake, Velvet Soufflé – Chocolate or Vanilla, Creamy Homemade Raspberry Cheesecake, Chocolate And Raisin Bread Pudding, Pinnacle Crème Brulee, Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Berries, Premium Ice Cream or Sorbets and/or the Assortment of International Cheeses.
Hi Krazy Kruisers

Thanks for the menu really wetting my appetite, roll on August