Special off-the-menu dishes

[vacation lover]

This will be our first Regent cruise and we'll be sailing on the Mariner. As I've read through the posts I keep seeing, "You just have to ask". Has anyone requested a special off-the-menu dish that was wonderful? I'd like some suggestions for memorable meals.
Thanks!

[Island Cruiser]

Ask for what you want. If they have the ingredients they will prepare it. We had a marvelous lunch of Indian cuisine on one occasion. We also like steak tartar as a main course. He've ordered that on two occasions. Yum!

[Travelcat2]

Even though they have rack of lamb on the menu on special nights, we like to order it on a night we prefer. We have also asked for Filipino food for lunch. We plan on ordering Beef Wellington on our next cruise. It used to be offered once a week, however, we have not seen it on recent cruises.

[mrlevin]

I had grilled foie gras on three consecutive nights last cruise. :D Steak tartare; grand marnier souffles; king crab legs (in fact, i imagine you can order many items from Prime 7 in Compass Rose). Best special order I saw was a whole goose brought out to a family on christmas so that grandfather could carve the bird.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Just make sure you make the request in advance, preferably the day before.

[txladycruiser]

Mexican food!

[BarbS]

You can also order side dishes which are not on the menu and these don't have to be special ordered ahead of time. Several nights, we ordered grilled fresh asparagus for the table.

[Travelcat2]

The "side dishes" reminded me that you can always ask for mashed potato's or fries at dinner.

[BarbS]

The "side dishes" reminded me that you can always ask for mashed potato's or fries at dinner.

Also you can order a baked potato and they will serve it with little silver bowls filled with sour cream, bacon bits, and chives.

[NCCruzQueen]

Their spinach sauteed with garlic is wonderful, also. We've enjoyed the Filipino food at dinner time. Many of the wait staff are all smiles when we order it and pleased we enjoy their food. Chicken adobo and fresh lumpia are the best.

[RachelG]

Special Filipino dinner--staff is always proud to serve it. Indian curry--this is on the menu sometimes, but I am particularly fond of the veggie curry so sometimes have to do a special order.

[JMARINER]

Mexican food!
It is not one of their strong points. They do a "TEX_MEX" BBQ on pool deck. but it is not close to my idea. After a month or so on the ship even Taco Bell sounds good.

I sometime bring my own salsa and hot sauce. Asked for a "mole" once and got a strange look like they thought it was a .....

Another thing they should do is have Mexican food with the fish BBQ deck lunches. Like grilled fish taco with fresh cilantro and lime rice.

J

[RachelG]

Agree, JMariner, the only good Mexican thing I have ever had on Regent is the guacamole. Everything else is pretty nasty--but we live in Oklahoma so have good Mexican food all the time.

[Viennagirl]

Hi Vacation Lover! You will love Regent. If it is like it usually is, then you will find the food delicious, the wines wonderful, and the service happy, skillful and friendly. I found staff enthusiastic when I had "a wish"! Most guests are enthralled and fascinated by the daily offerings. But if not, simply breathe your hearts desire, and someone will make it their life's mission to see delight in your eyes. It's why they (Regent execs) get the big bucks so enjoy!

[Travelcat2]

Agree, JMariner, the only good Mexican thing I have ever had on Regent is the guacamole. Everything else is pretty nasty--but we live in Oklahoma so have good Mexican food all the time.

Agree about the guacamole. Regent does try with ethnic dishes but the only ones that taste authentic to me is the Filapino and Italian. Some Indian dishes are good. . . . curry is great, naan is hopeless.

[RachelG]

Probably has to do with where the crew members doing the cooking are from. There are lots of Filipino crew members, so would expect a good quality of Filipino food. But I have never seen any Mexican crew or even from Central America. Agree about the naan too--but I think it has to be made and immediately served to be at its best.

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

Hi Rachel,

Am very fortunate, have had the world's best Mexican food prepared by my DW, Ida for the last 28 years...u name it she does it from scratch--learned directly from her Grandmother and mother...to name just a few of her specialties--homemade chicken mole, tamales at Christmas (3 kinds), fresch pico (half dozen flavors (very, very, hot to mild (w/houseguests)), enchiladas, special fish tacos, stuffed poblano's with pork layered w/Cinnamon sauce....but back on topic--on the Voyager earlier this month...a WCer told us about a special Mexican meal the chef was making for their group (fajita's) ...George told us that the fajitas (he is from Chile) were great.

[Travelcat2]

Unfortunately, unless you were raised in an area where authentic Mexican food is prepared, you may receive a poor imitation. With very few exceptions, Regent's staff are not from Latin countries (as Rachael stated previously). It is for this reason that we do not recommend Mexican food on Regent. However, if you were raised in Washington state, for instance, you may find Regent's attempt at preparing Mexican food quite satisfactory:rolleyes:.

[mj_holiday]

Is this ordered in the MDR or in the speciality restaurant?

[mrlevin]

Is this ordered in the MDR or in the speciality restaurant?

Ordered in Compass Rose; I don't know what is meant by MDR?

Marc

[RachelG]

Hi Rachel,

Am very fortunate, have had the world's best Mexican food prepared by my DW, Ida for the last 28 years...u name it she does it from scratch--learned directly from her Grandmother and mother...to name just a few of her specialties--homemade chicken mole, tamales at Christmas (3 kinds), fresch pico (half dozen flavors (very, very, hot to mild (w/houseguests)), enchiladas, special fish tacos, stuffed poblano's with pork layered w/Cinnamon sauce....but back on topic--on the Voyager earlier this month...a WCer told us about a special Mexican meal the chef was making for their group (fajita's) ...George told us that the fajitas (he is from Chile) were great.


OMG, I am drooling. Can I come eat at your house??

[journeyfan]

Whoops. See below.

[journeyfan]

MDR is Main Dining Room, which is of course Compass Rose.

[cookback]

MDR = Main Dining Room...
Have question about when is best time to make reservations at Prime 7.
Have read that first night is good time as the Compass Rose doesn't have all things up an running due to change of passengers etc. Is this correct ?

[Travelcat2]

Compass Rose is fine on the first night. They are always up and running. We have had mixed results booking Prime 7 on the first night. It is such a small dining venue that it can be affected by changes in staff. Compass Rose is almost a "must do: on the second night (Captain's Reception) because of the special menu. I'd recommend booking Prime 7 the 3rd or 4th night (depending upon length of the cruise). Book whatever time suits you. They stagger reservations so there are empty tables waiting for you to arrive.. . . whether it is 7:00 p.m. or later.

I do recommend booking in advance if you want a specific time or a table for two. If you go at the last minute, your choices could be limited.

[mrlevin]

MDR = Main Dining Room...
Have question about when is best time to make reservations at Prime 7.
Have read that first night is good time as the Compass Rose doesn't have all things up an running due to change of passengers etc. Is this correct ?

Compass Rose has always been wonderful even on first night.

I would recommend Prime 7 or Signatures for first or last nights mainly because many people do not book those days. In fact, on our last cruise, after we boarded, we were able to get an eight top and two six tops in Prime 7 for first night. We were told that it did not count as our "one per segment" reservation; it was a "freebie."

Regent does not give out all reservations during the pre-cruise online booking phase. Thus, the openings on all nights; even for prime seating times. Just book when you immediately get onboard and you can find a seating for that first night.

Marc

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Compass Rose == MDR

[mrlevin]

Compass Rose == MDR

I have never heard of Compass Rose referred to as Main Dining Room or MDR. Where did that term come from? In fact, on three other cruiselines (Chandris, Costa, and RCI) all prior to 2002, I never heard that term.

[Travelcat2]

I have never heard of Compass Rose referred to as Main Dining Room or MDR. Where did that term come from? In fact, on three other cruiselines (Chandris, Costa, and RCI) all prior to 2002, I never heard that term.

Try Carnival
:confused:

[Hambagahle]

Whenever we don't much care for the choice of main dining selections in the CR we ask for a filet mignon with béarnaise sauce. The meat, even in the CR, is fantastic, and SO much better than we get at home in Switzerland. There is never a quibble or an "I'll see with the chef" The answer is always "How would you like it done?"

I have also ( 3 times now ) ordered a complete Indian meal. Twice for just Ken and me and once for a group of CCers - we were 8. Each time the food has been very good. It isn't what I would class as "high end" Indian cuisine, such as one gets at Rasoï in London and Geneva, or even at Amaya in London BUT it is very good, the flavours are well done and their terminology is correct. Am organising a similar dinner for a small group of CCers on the March '12 TA cruise!

Aside from that - we once had soft shell crabs as an appetiser in the CR. We love them and cannot get them here, at all. I said this to the waiter. he immediately offered to produce them for lunch the next day - and even asked how many we would like!! AND they were wonderful too!

As for the Mexican. Switzerland is a LONG way from Mexico and I am not even sure we have any Mexican restaurants here so I am very happy with what they offer at the Pool Deck on each cruise - but if Wes would like to invite us to his home for dinner we would certainly accept with pleasure!!

Bottom line is ask. Preferably the day or a couple of days before and preferably to the Maître d'Hôtel in the CR. it will happen!!

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

Jerry/Ken; thanks for sharing such wonderful special order dining experiences you have enjoyed and shared with others.

ps..Jerry,Ken; Rachel/DH anytime ya'll are in Atlanta--u have an open invitation to enjoy a multi-course Mexican fiesta at Casa Ida/Wes.

[Threechicks]

Can you squeeze in one more at Casa Ida/Wes? I have never had authentic Mexican food. I don't think the "tacos in a box" that I had with my grandsons last night count. Elsie

[macbest]

MDR = Main dining room. On Regent it is the Compass Rose.

[vacation lover]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Does Foie Gras need to be ordered before sailing, or do they routinely have it in the kitchen?

[TheSeaAroundUs]

Foie gras is always available in Prime 7 as sliders, and continually shows up as a component of dishes in Signatures and Compass Rose. (I use its presence in a dish to help me eliminate choices when too many things look good -- I understand its appeal, but it's too unctuous for my tastes.)

* edit: Of course I don't mean to say that foie gras is available only in these dishes, just that it's everywhere on board. I am sure the kitchens will do whatever you want with it, given a little notice.

[Grothj]

We were on the Voyager for 110 days this winter. We had a special order Mexican Dinner with friends at least 4 times and it was always very good. We gave them the menu and it was prepared nicely. Not the same things as the Tex-Mex pool deck!

[owtrspace]

I had a qualm with Regent regarding these special requests on a previous cruise. We were such fans of the crab legs in Prime 7 that we put a special request in with the maitre'd at Compass Rose, which was left unfilled. I asked and he said he could not accommodate such a request. Upon my return home, I reached out to Regent who actually confirmed (I have a letter stating so) that "in order to maintain the exclusivity of our reservation only venues, we are unable to accommodate requests for menu items from Prime 7 in the main dining room." I did not find this acceptable especially when the ship is provisioned with these ingredients and it is an "off the menu" item requiring no special attention or pull from existing kitchen staff resources.

I must say that Regent very generously compensated me for the inconvenience and snafu but still did not acknowledge that those yummy crab legs would ever be available on special request in Compass Rose... :(

That said, I was fortunate enough to get in a second time to P7 and indulged... Until our sailing on Voyager next month, I guess I will be crab-deprived...

[hvsteve1]

On our last cruise,my wife ordered one of her favorite dishes...Beef Wellington. We requested it the night before and,when we went to dinner the following night,it was available for her. This was really putting themselves out because this dish is not normally made for one portion,so they had to cook up a whole one to give her the one slice.

[vacation lover]

Has anyone ordered sashimi in Compass Rose?

[vacation lover]

I've read that the Compass Rose has special meals on the 2nd evening and the night before last evening. Our cruise stays in Venice on the first night and sails on the 2nd night. Does anyone out there happen to know when they schedule the special meal in the Compass Rose? Is it still the 2nd evening or do they push it to the 3rd. This info would help in making reservations for Signatures.

[cruiseej]

The special food typically goes along with -- following -- the captain's welcome reception. If you're sailing out of Venice on the second night, it's not likely there will be a captain's welcome that night -- he'll be busy driving! So I'd think it would be the next night. What time are you scheduled to sail?

-- Eric

(But don't get hung up on this; the menu might have a few more top-end items this night, but the meals in Compass Rose are good most nights.)

[TheSeaAroundUs]

I agree with the last line of the above post; there will indeed be special items on those nights, but that has never been enough to sway my decision. I have never sat down in CR and been less than pleased. [The problem rather is eliminating choices!] Furthermore, if you're really hoping for (i.e.) a beef Wellington, or a lobster Thermidor, you can always request it, given 24 hours' notice.

[Travelcat2]

I agree with cruiseej in terms of which night the Captain's Reception will likely occur. But, I somewhat disagree about how special the offerings are on that evening. A couple of appetizers, entrees and wines are served only on special evenings. As has been mentioned, you can special order items -- but you would have to know what they were if you wish to order them (menu's for all restaurants are available for vewing in the Horizon Lounge and Observation Lounge on the Voyager and Mariner -- not certain on the Navigator).

Also agree that eliminating choices isn't easy. One suggestion is to either ask for appetizer portions of more than one main course. Or, you could order two or three appetizers and a regular size main course (or any combination of the above). Keep in mind that it will be exceptionally crowded after the Reception. If you like to dine early, it could be an advantage. You can go to the Reception at 6:00 p.m. and wander over to CR right when they open at 6:30 p.m.

[dixiechick]

We have found that special ordering at lunch time can be really good (and fun with a group) since the kitchen is not so busy. Ordered a Chateaubriand for 4- Outstanding. We were also on a long cruise and we special ordered Lasagna and garlic bread for a table of 8. The kitchen staff was so proud of it, 4 of them paraded this huge dish of lasagna to our table so we could see it before they served. They obviously put alot of work into it. Again, we special ordered at lunch. But we had to be specific on how we wanted it made, ie, marinara meat sauce with mozzeralla (spelling?), ricotta and parmesian cheeses. We were also specific on how we wanted to have the garlic bread made. Needless to say our table was in heaven! We asked that the leftovers be given to the staff. Of course, you have to order 24 hours in advance.

[vacation lover]

Thanks for all the hints. We sail in less than a month and I have no idea how I'm going to be able to take advantage of all the wonderful suggestions!

[Travelcat2]

We have found that special ordering at lunch time can be really good (and fun with a group) since the kitchen is not so busy. Ordered a Chateaubriand for 4- Outstanding. We were also on a long cruise and we special ordered Lasagna and garlic bread for a table of 8. The kitchen staff was so proud of it, 4 of them paraded this huge dish of lasagna to our table so we could see it before they served. They obviously put alot of work into it. Again, we special ordered at lunch. But we had to be specific on how we wanted it made, ie, marinara meat sauce with mozzeralla (spelling?), ricotta and parmesian cheeses. We were also specific on how we wanted to have the garlic bread made. Needless to say our table was in heaven! We asked that the leftovers be given to the staff. Of course, you have to order 24 hours in advance.

Absolutely incredible ideas. Cannot wait to order our lasagna!

[Travel2Learn]

...getting hungry...

[ChatKat in Ca.]

They are really good at sauces like Bechamel, Marinara, Curries, Hollandaise, Boradelaise...you get the idea....

[AWED23]

I agree with cruiseej in terms of which night the Captain's Reception will likely occur. But, I somewhat disagree about how special the offerings are on that evening. A couple of appetizers, entrees and wines are served only on special evenings. As has been mentioned, you can special order items -- but you would have to know what they were if you wish to order them (menu's for all restaurants are available for vewing in the Horizon Lounge and Observation Lounge on the Voyager and Mariner -- not certain on the Navigator).

Also agree that eliminating choices isn't easy. One suggestion is to either ask for appetizer portions of more than one main course. Or, you could order two or three appetizers and a regular size main course (or any combination of the above). Keep in mind that it will be exceptionally crowded after the Reception. If you like to dine early, it could be an advantage. You can go to the Reception at 6:00 p.m. and wander over to CR right when they open at 6:30 p.m...Menus available daily for all venues on your in room interactive TV....They are usually up by 10:00 AM....:)

[cruiseej]

..Menus available daily for all venues on your in room interactive TV....They are usually up by 10:00 AM....:)

Yup, that's exactly the problem. It's too late to order something special for that night, or, conversely, you've had to special order something the night prior before seeing the menu in the morning. If they posted the menus a day in advance at 6 p.m., it would make it easier to decide if/when to make a special request. (Of course, Regent probably doesn't want to encourage too many special orders -- if lots of people did it, it would probably be too disruptive to the line in the galley.)

-- Eric

[AWED23]

So many decisions to make...So many choices....Just a really tough life...Oh well, there is always Tanqueray and Tonic in the Observation lounge pre-diner to help with all of these problems....And still it is another 26 days until we board in Venice..Got my luggage pick up with Luggage Free arrainged (Wed. 11-2)..Air is set..Dining reservations made..What else?..Oh, now I remember, USC Vs. Notre Dame next Saturday night!....Tough game for sure...Come on 11-10-2011.....:cool:

[Travelcat2]

So many decisions to make...So many choices....Just a really tough life...Oh well, there is always Tanqueray and Tonic in the Observation lounge pre-diner to help with all of these problems....And still it is another 26 days until we board in Venice..Got my luggage pick up with Luggage Free arrainged (Wed. 11-2)..Air is set..Dining reservations made..What else?..Oh, now I remember, USC Vs. Notre Dame next Saturday night!....Tough game for sure...Come on 11-10-2011.....:cool:

Hope some of you will post from your cruise. We haven't heard from the Mariner in a long time (plus, we were booked on that cruise so I'm particularly interested).

[vacation lover]

We leave on the Mariner on Nov 10. This is our first Regent cruise and I don't want to miss any of the specialties - either on the menu or by request. Any last recommendations for food not to miss?
Thanks everyone!

[Travelcat2]

We leave on the Mariner on Nov 10. This is our first Regent cruise and I don't want to miss any of the specialties - either on the menu or by request. Any last recommendations for food not to miss?
Thanks everyone!\

Crab legs in Prime 7:)

[linda_22003]

Try Carnival
:confused:

On Carnival (at least here on the CC boards) it's usually called the Main "Dinning" Room. :p

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We leave on the Mariner on Nov 10. This is our first Regent cruise and I don't want to miss any of the specialties - either on the menu or by request. Any last recommendations for food not to miss?
Thanks everyone!

The last thing you need to do on a Regent cruise is angst about missing some food specialty, believe me. There are so many good things, you can't try them all, or they've have to carry a stomach pump! :o

I like the Dover Sole in Prime 7. I remember my seat mates having some really great beef of some kind there too, but it all runs together in my mind after a while.

I'm thinking there will be something memorable on just about any dinner menu that you see. I'm not a big one for special orders, although we had a memorable Indian lunch for about 8 people once, organized by our friends' butler.