FAVORITE HAL food offering

[TinaLee]

Hi everyone! I saw the post regarding the LEAST favorite HAL food offering (and I'll be on the lookout for those little "balls" :eek: ).

Since I'm completely new to HAL cruising, how about filling the newbie in on some things on the menu that shouldn't be missed?? Any absolute favorites? Favorite entrees, soups, desserts??

We'll be on the Zaandam next month for our first ever HAL cruise and I'm reading everything I can get my hands on, but let's face it - the folks who sail her most have the best info!

Thanks!!

TinaLee :)

p.s. - any great secrets on the Zaandam would also be MOST welcome! :D

[doone]

Bread pudding served each afternoon in the Lido AND escargot served, usually the last formal evening.

[Orcrone]

Doone has two excellent choices. I would just add that I had the bread pudding on the Maasdam. If you can, get it shortly after it is served and it is excellent. If you wait too long it can get dried out.

Also, lobster tails are always a favorite of mine.

[lidorose]

I don't know if they are standard fare or not, but aside from all the elegant food in the dining room, I have to say the chocolate chunk cookies (or chocolate filled, or chocolate whatever) at the ice cream bar in the Lido are WAY too addictive. Scrumptious.

droolin' just thinkin' about 'em...

[RuthC]

You mean besides the chocolate? :confused: 'Cause the chocolate candies in the Explorers' Lounge every evening are divine.

Then I'd suggest the chilled soups.:) Delish! When John Mulvaney told me how he makes them I understood fully why I love 'em!
Yummmmmmm!

[OCruisers]

We had read here on CC that Dover Sole was no longer offered. :(

So HAPPY to see it back on the menu on our Veendam cruise in January! Wow! It was even better than I remembered! :D

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

For me the escargot is #1 with the Maine lobster tails a close second. But when it comes to desserts, I vote for the Chocolate Volcano in the Pinnacle or the first night out chocolate cake in the dining room ... don't remember the name, but it was solid delicious chocolate. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e05b9a/04

[Oceanwench]

Chocolates in the Explorers Lounge? How have I missed those???
[Note to self: Check it out on upcoming cruise.]

My favorite: Desserts, especially those involving chocolate.
And the cookies/ice cream at the dessert bar in the Lido.
And all those delightful pastries at the afternoon high tea. Yum.

[xznwfd]

I agree with Heather, the chocolate volcano is the BEST!!! Also all the soups are outstanding, the puree of brocolli was the best I've ever had.

[Kabana]

The dessert extravaganza offered on the last sea day!

[dakrewser]

Any of the soups, all are excellent. The Pea soup, in particular.

Steaks in the Pinnacle Grill, Prime Rib in the dining room.

Petit pain au chocolat for breakfast (order extras!)

And, if you still have room, the cheese plate in the dining room (although I wish they'd go back to varying the contents each night!)

For lunch, check out the deli/sandwich counter in the Lido - see how many items you can get the man to pile on your baguette!

[sail7seas]

I really like HAL's Dutch pea soup. When I wasn't quite as careful how I ate, I enjoyed the Black bean quesadilla (beats me how to spell it).....

[lidorose]

You mean besides the chocolate? :confused:

Oh yes, chocolate in the dining room is in a league all its own....:o Just comparing those cookies to the unimportant courses in the dining room, of course.:rolleyes:

[jhannah]

There's not a lot I don't like ... much to the chagrin of my trouser belts! :D But I would also cast a special vote for the buttery escargo, fork-tender prime rib, and decadent chocolate volcano cake. Ah ... I can just hear the Yum-Yum man chiming for dinner.

[PennyB]

I am SO happy to hear that the bread pudding is still raved about. We haven't cruised with HAL in 5 years and I still salivate thinking about that bread pudding!
We sail on the Oosterdam on 3/5...Bread pudding, here I come!! :)

[ekerr19]

I like the Chocolate Tulip dessert in the dining room. Our favorite entree in the dining room is the Beef Wellington.

We also like HAL's pizza from the Lido. DH loves the Lido Wok station.

TOO many choices. :)

[bobpatj]

Bread pudding is always my favorite, but special to HAL ships, too, is the fresh squeezed orange juice in the Lido.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Beef Wellington - not always offered on all ships.

Chocolate volcano cake - in the Pinnacle.

[cal2632]

Bami Goreng

[Orcrone]

Bread pudding is always my favorite, but special to HAL ships, too, is the fresh squeezed orange juice in the Lido.The first few days of my cruise I drank the regular OJ, before remembering to look for the fresh squeezed variety. Well, I guess I'm not used to the good stuff, and actually preferred the regular OJ.:o

However, I didn't drink it too much. I really enjoyed the Guava juice.

[ekerr19]

However, I didn't drink it too much. I really enjoyed the Guava juice.

I thought my DH was the only one who drank that!

[michmike]

and you don't fit the HAL demographics if you don't enjoy a bowl of stewed prunes every morning. *L*

[MaryEllen1952]

Anyone who is a real vegetarian (no meat/fish/chicken) have comments on HAL food. I'm wondering if I should order a food basket to be delivered before sailing in Vancouver on the Volendam

[jaguarstyper]

Chocolate Volcano Cake in the Pinnacle Grill. Awesome!

I also loved the chocolate covered coffee beans in the Neptune Lounge.

Tim

[jhannah]

No need, MaryEllen. HAL always has a selection of vegetarian fare on the menu. And in the Lido, of course, you can pick and choose what you want to eat.

[CDRMark]

Everything was great, but the cold soups were a special treat, especially the fruit soups. Four forks.

Cheers
MarkB

[bookworm0911]

Mussels on the first night, escargot on the last formal night, crab legs (hopefully) and jumbo shrimp in between. Just not often enough. :D

[bepsf]

and you don't fit the HAL demographics if you don't enjoy a bowl of stewed prunes every morning. *L*

I guess that's me, 'cause I do love me some stewed prunes and sliced bananas!

Favorite Dessert - Handmade truffles served w/ after-dinner coffee in the Pinnacle
Favorite Appetizer - Escargot in the main dining room
Favorite Soup - French Onion in the main Dining Room and via room service
Favorite Dinner Entree - Lamb Chops in the Pinnacle
Favorite Vegetable - Creamed Spinach in the Pinnacle
Favorite Lunch - Stirfry Beef w/ jasmine rice at the Wok
Favorite Room Service Snack - Club Sandwich, because the crusts are sliced off like Mommy used to do.
Favorite Breakfast - Stewed prunes, sliced bananas, fresh croissants w/ butter and tea on my verandah.
Favorite Cocktail Snack - Meatballs (!!!) in the Ocean Bar

[Islandbuoy]

definitely the snails, followed by leftover jumbo shrimp and crab claws at the lido!!

[Southbound]

The pasta station in the Lido for lunch, especially the hand-made ravioli stuffed with chopped mushrooms, topped with a light Alfredo sauce, then topped with a generous scoop of freshly steamed spinach. Thank goodness for elastic waistbands!!! :eek:

[OCruisers]

Mussels on the first night....

Agree! We had Mussels on the first night too and they were outstanding! Other than the Dover Sole, that was my favorite.

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[Cuttle]

Definitely Number One - the cold/chilled fruit soups in the dining room. :cool: I am known to order two at a time and forego the appetizer.

Also the macadamia nut cookies in the Ice Cream Bar or Java Cafe.

On Dutch Lunch Day I like the little round "pancakes". Don't know their name but they are cooked right before your eyes.

[dakrewser]

Anyone who is a real vegetarian (no meat/fish/chicken) have comments on HAL food. I'm wondering if I should order a food basket to be delivered before sailing in Vancouver on the Volendam

As Jim said, there's a vegetarian selection every night but there's also a special vegetarian menu (you need to pre-order from it the night before).

A woman at the table next to ours on the Volendam about 15 months ago would always ask her steward for a copy of the next night's menu while she was having dessert. If the vegetarian choice didn't appeal to her then she'd order something from the standard vegetarian menu which would be made up, just for her.

[TinaLee]

Wow - thanks everyone - all these ideas sound wonderful!! We are also big fans of chilled soups, but my FAVORITE is French onion. What a treat to have it available on the room service menu!! And chocolate - what's not to love?!? And, of course, being a Floridian - FRESH SQUEEZED OJ - YES!!

This all sounds great - keep them coming - I'm making notes so I don't forget anything!

While we're at it - is there a favorite signature drink you like on HAL? On Royal Caribbean I'm a big fan of all their mango creations. Does anyone know if there is a martini bar on Zaandam? Any frozen foo-foo drinks I shouldn't miss??

Thanks again everyone!

TinaLee

[1drifter]

Anyone who is a real vegetarian (no meat/fish/chicken) have comments on HAL food. I'm wondering if I should order a food basket to be delivered before sailing in Vancouver on the Volendam

I'm not a real vegetarian but I usually odered the vegetarian selection from the main menu and it was always good. However if you want a larger selection, be sure to let HAL (or your TA) know ahead of time that you want the vegetarian menu. There was a woman at our table who got the vegetarian menu every evening to order the next evening's meal. She got such wonderful personal attention I thought about doing the same thing myself! I don't think you'll be dissappointed.

[Orcrone]

I thought my DH was the only one who drank that!Obviously your husband has good taste.;)

[cruisinjudy]

Oh yes! Those little dutch pancakes! Love them! They must be served on a port day as I don't often find them.
I love the stir fry and the fresh squeezed OJ.
I think all of my favorites have already been mentioned.
Did anyone mention the fillet in the Pinnacle?

[K&RCurt]

Loved the Porterhouse in the Pinnacle.

All of the pasta / sauce combinations in the lido were excellent.

Waffle cone w/ various ice creams..Yum.

Surf and Turf and the Prime rib in the main dining room were excellent.

Pea soup also very good.

The BEST dish I had was the Veal Oso Bucco with mushroom rissotto.
It was better that I have had in Milan.

[michmike]

My dad always made stewed prunes (his were even better cuz he threw a little tapioca in w/ them), so I grew up eating them. And always make a point to do so when on HAL even though I take a fair bit of ribbing from DW and our traveling partners.

Now as for the truffles in the Pinnacle, when on Volendam this last November we mentioned to the maitre d how much we had enjoyed them and he brought us another tray. We were all stuffed from the wonderful dinner, but somehow that second tray disappeared as quickly as the first. *S*

[Leslieswiger]

I have enjoyed the Pate Foie Gras with deep-flavored Maderiar marmalade jelly and poached pear. Lobster Bisque with cognac. The filet mignon with crab and creamy bearnaise sauce. One could go on and on.:D Truly, I have NEVER been unhappy with a meal on HAL.:) Happy Sailings...Leslie Swiger:)

[bepsf]

I'm getting hungry...

[longtimecruiser]

Eggs benedict in the dining room on a sea day.

[terry55]

Another vote here for the Bread Pudding!!;)

[mplsmom]

We just returned this afternoon from the Zaandam, and one of our favorites every morning was the oatmeal. It's actually cold, and made with raisins and lots of cream. Doesn't sound so good, but I heard everyone raving about it this morning!

[gizmo]

Cream of Mushroom Soup
Pea Soup
Three Berry Soup

Escargot
Fried Brie

Roast Pork Loin with Carmalized Apples (Usually served the first night)
Dover Sole

Pear Flambe
Tangerine Sherbert
Hal's Signature Chocolate Cake (Mr. Gizmo's favorite)

[snowcat]

Another vote for Bami Goreng

[weluvcruisin']

Chocolate Volcano cake the best

[stefhef]

My kids are in love with the Kansas City Soup.

[zcat]

French onion soup, tomato soup, white cream of mushroom soup, cold soups, mushroom soup, shrimp any way they have them fixed. Then Bami Goring and mushroom ravolli, and the little pancakes in the lido. Hymmmmmm be back I gotta go eat RIGHT NOW. Happy cruise eating everyone.

[tiffnco]

I second the fruit soups!

Our most recent cruise was on RCL and I was so excited to go for the fruit soups...but was EXTREMELY disappointed as they in way compared to the yummy chilled bowls of heaven brought to our table everyday on HAL...I'm so excited to have some on our November trip!

And the meat in the Pinnacle was TO DIE FOR! I love Ruth's Chris steak...and the Pinnacle matched (if not surpassed) the quality...JMHO

[catcentral]

Was on Westerdam 1/30- 2/6. Had no problem eating vegetarian, even though I didn't care for some of the offerings-they were too spicy, and I have a touchy stomach.Check out the menus ahead of the meal, you can always get pasta or pizza, as well as other accepable items in Lido. One night I simply asked for a plate with all the sides that they were serving with the other dishes, it was great. Don't miss the bread pudding in the Lido. Joan

[Mump]

Not to be missed is the "Bami Goreng", the Indonesian noodle dish! Absolutely fantastic! The chocolate cake on the first night is the "Signature Chocolate Cake" and it is by far the best! The garlic mushrooms and the crab cakes in the Pinnacle are also not to be missed. As you can tell, I love to eat and the food on the Ryndam is above par but I must admit that I cannot stand the Bread Pudding. As a Canadian we grew up with bread pudding and my mom's cannot be matched. Sorry.

[Mump]

Indonesian food - Bami Goreng, must not miss! Also Signature Chocolate cake on the first night served in the dining room. Garlic mushrooms and crab cakes in the Pinnacle Grill. Just about everything is excellent. Enjoy your cruise!

[okat817]

We are cruising for the first time on March 12th and I have just decided to go on a starvation diet until sail time so I can sample everyone of the favorites listed here. I can't wait!

[EbayCruiser]

Bread Pudding, Chocolate Croissants, Cookies & the Pizza are all FABULOUS!!