Pinnacle Grill Chocolate Volcano Cake Question

[Orsino]

Is the Chocolate Volcano Cake supposed to be a Molten Chocolate Cake?

I just got off the 27 May - 3 June Maasdam Monteal to Boston Trip. Fantastic cruise, but the waiter at the Pinnacle Grill told me that my cake, which lacked a molten center, was just as it should be. I was very confused, and disappointed at the plainness of this supposedly great dessert. So if it isn't supposed to be a molten chocolate cake, why is it called a volcano cake?

Thanks,
Stephen

[peaches from georgia]

You are exactly right. It is supposed to have a 'warm liquid chocolate center' as every recipe for a Volcano or Lava Cake requires. This is the problem- very often in various Pinnacle Grills the cake itself is very dry and there is nothing liquid in the center. Your Maasdam steward either didn't know or was making excuses.

I think if PGs are consistently not able to make this dessert correctly or keep it from drying out, as we have found, it really should be dropped from the menu and something else chocolate substituted.

[shonuf]

On our cruise on the "O" in January, I asked our waiter if the cake was to be served warm or at room temperature. If room temperature, I wasn't interested (been there, had that). He responded room temperature, but that he'd be glad to have it warmed. He did and it was as good as I had hoped.

I agree, volcano cake should be molten.

[sail7seas]

It is always supposed to be served warm. He did you no 'favor'......that desert should come to the table warm with molten center. When they service it correctly, it is heavenly. (Almost) all the times I have ordered it, the volcano has been wonderful but I have had one or two which were served dry and cold. I asked for (and received) another.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Only once did I have to send back the chocolate volcano cake - it was quite awhile back - don't remember which ship. It was cold!!

All the other times I have ordered it, it has come very warm - sometimes the liquid center inside has been really hot.

[Sunshine10]

I had the same experience! We were on the same cruise. My volcano cake was warm but no soft center at all and I was left wondering what was supposed to be so special about it. Although I did eat most of it :rolleyes: .

Overall, I thought the service at the Pinnacle was quite lacking with mostly indifferent staff. Took forever to get drinks and we felt like we were bothering them when we tried it for breakfast. I'd still go back though. I can ignore patchy service if the food is really good :D .

[Sunshine10]

Opps... reread your post... I was on the May 13th -May20th Montreal to Boston cruise - not yours.

[Robinsilver]

I am really rather amazed that this is what someone would be complaining about on a cruise. I hope this is the only thing you found wrong, and if so, I guess we will be very happy trying HAL.
If you want something really spectacular, go to Morton's and have their warm chocolate godiva cake. It is spectacular.

[bruceh4]

Everytime I have the Chocolate Volcano cake it has a liquid center, maybe it is because I get it ala mode!!!!:D A big scope of vanilla ice cream in the center makes it to die for:eek: Help I cant wait with only 28 more days to go. Maasdam here I come!!!!!

[gizmo]

I don't think the OP is complaining. He asked a question about the cake. There have been numerous posts about how wonderful this volcano cake is. I don't blame him for being confused or disappointed. Obviously his cake was not "wonderful". It sounds like it was close to what Mr. Gizmo had, a dry, hockey puck.

I agree with Peaches. Hal should not be serving a dessert that they cannot be consistent with. It is time to drop the volcano cake and come up with something new. :)

[KAYEF]

In the Pinnacle on the "O" we ordered the cake and were told there "won't be any of this cake for another hour so you must order something else."
On the Veendam last December I fell in love with the triple creme brulee dessert and will never again attempt getting chocolate volcano cake....:o

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH loves the triple creme brulee'.

[thomasale]

This surprises me that in their alternative restaurant they would allow these kinds of inconsistencies...

[sail7seas]

It is time to drop the volcano cake and come up with something new.

;) In your opinion.

;) In my opinion.......I hope to have more volcano cake on upcoming cruises. I am NOT ready for it to be removed from the menu. :) Seeing as I eat almost no deserts anymore, that is one I look forward to and enjoy greatly. Anyone that doesn't want it, doesn't have to order it. But please.........it doesn't have to be taken away from the rest of us who love it.

Let's continue to try to think of others besides only ourselves.

[gizmo]

Let's continue to try to think of others besides only ourselves

But that is the point ! People who read this board have ordered the volcano cake because it came highly recommended. Someone orders it and it is screwed up. Hal is not consistent with this dessert. Removing it from the menu and replacing it with a dessert that is consistent, would be better for everyone. Keeping it just because you like it is thinking of yourself and not others. I think there are many desserts that could be offered that would be consistent. It is obvious that the volcano cake is not.

The Baked Alaska in the Pinnacle is very good. I have never heard anyone say it was screwed up.

Many recommend the creme brulee. I think only once did I read something negative. Apparently this is consistent. Personally, I hate the stuff but I do not think it should be removed just because I don't like it.

By posting the opinion that it should be replaced, IS thinking of others.:)

[bookworm0911]

We do a lot of baking and love desserts. Some are easy to prepare and keep at the right consistency for a period of time. Others are NOT. This is why there is so much variance in the quality of the Volcano cake; it's tricky to make and keep correctly done. I think another chocolate cake, like a Decadent Chocolate, would be a LOT easier to maintain properly and it is fabulous! Obviously Volcano Cake in quantity for any length of time is not the Pinnacle's strong suit and that is no surprise. ;)

[sail7seas]

The Baked Alaska in the Pinnacle is very good. I have never heard anyone say it was screwed up.


Well, you'll hear of it now. My DH really, really disliked the Baked Alaska. He doesn't care for volcano and ordered that once and didn't eat it. Because he didn't care for it, we certainly didn't feel it should be removed from the menu.


I don't care for the creme brulee. But I have never said it should be removed from the menu.

MANY, MANY people have totally enjoyed their volcano. No one has to order it if they don't wish.

[sail7seas]

IMO......the whole Pinnacle menu is due for a re-write. I heard a lot of noise about it being changed about a year ago but it didn't happen.

We're ready to see some new things added.
The steaks are wonderful.
The fish is INCONSISENT. Some say they like the scampi, Most say the halibut is a disappointment. I guess it should be removed as it is inconsistent.


What to put in its place?

[elmorejj]

Whats to put in its place? I am sure their executive chefs can find something in their repetoir that would be acceptable and consistant......jean:cool:

[Copper10-8]

Let's put an Indonesian dish on the menu i.e. Nasi Goreng or maybe even a complete rijsttafel:) on a trial basis and see how that goes over

[rfbdorf]

Let's put an Indonesian dish on the menu i.e. Nasi Goreng or maybe even a complete rijsttafel:) on a trial basis and see how that goes over
A real rijstafel would be wonderful!
- Richard

[gizmo]

Ok, we now have 1 negative for the Baked Alaska. :)

I don't see where anyone implied they want anything removed because they dislike it. My point was inconsistentcy not disliking a dish.

Suggesting removing something because it is inconsistent is valid. Because someone doesn't like something is totally different and has nothing to do with inconsistentcy.

If the fish and scampi are inconsistent, I have the same opinion. Remove it.

[sail7seas]

Removed by poster. :)

[Candy]

Let's put an Indonesian dish on the menu i.e. Nasi Goreng or maybe even a complete rijsttafel:) on a trial basis and see how that goes over
Haha! It's a Pacific coastal-style restaurant, but probably not the South Pacific!

Candy the ZuiderPrincess <-- would like to see the return of Dover Sole (oops, that's the British coast...)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We would truely love to see some items in the Pinnacle Grill.

[NorthernNeighbour]

We had the Volcano Cake in the Pinnacle Grill and it did have a molten centre as it should. The waiter was wrong to tell you it should be dry.

We loved the food in the Pinnacle -- but they do have staff problems. The Maitre d'Hotel was snooty on our recent crossing and the waiter staff service was just OK, nothing more.

However, we still enjoyed dining there.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I meant to say that we would truely love to see some NEW items in the Pinnacle - dinner - desserts.

Sorry about that.

[CCCM]

We ate in Pinnacle twice. Got the Volcano Cake the first night. It did have a liquid center and was perfect...yummy. Second night I got the Creme Brulee. I am a huge Creme Brulee fan (best yet is a restauarant in South Carolina, it was a Creme Brulee Alexander). The Creme Brulee did not taste good that night. If there are people who loved it, then yes there must be a consistency issue.

Many restaurants do not realize that they need to change their menu. There are a couple around me that change it with each season, go with what is in season.

[Copper10-8]

Haha! It's a Pacific coastal-style restaurant, but probably not the South Pacific!

Candy the ZuiderPrincess <-- would like to see the return of Dover Sole (oops, that's the British coast...)

Make it the entire Pacific and get some Mahi Mahi and Ono in there - we're not picky!;)

[7continentKaren]

We just arrived home from the 5/28 Westerdam cruise. Our travel agent bought us a dinner at the Pinnacle. I am glad I did not pay for it. The filet mignon was delicious but the two soups were inedible since they tasted like 5 chefs had salted them. I could not even eat my Thai chicken soup and sent it back. My husband got the scampi and it was dry.

The volcano cake that I had seen demonstrated by the head chef (and tasted) was hot but dry at the restaurant. I have had one at Wolfgang Puck's Granita in Malibu where his pastry chef drops a dark chocolate truffle in it before baking and there is no question about the molten center. At the demo, the chef ran out of time and pulled it out early from the oven. It actually was better because the center was runny. I was really disappointed at Pinnacle since they make a very big deal out of how delicious this cake is and how you can only get it if you spend the big bucks there.

[Orsino]

I am really rather amazed that this is what someone would be complaining about on a cruise. I hope this is the only thing you found wrong, and if so, I guess we will be very happy trying HAL.
If you want something really spectacular, go to Morton's and have their warm chocolate godiva cake. It is spectacular.

You are absolutely right! The cruise was fantastic. This problem with the Pinnacle Grill was the only true complaint I have about the entire cruise, which is a round about way of saying there really isn't a whole lot to complain about. :)

Thanks for all the replies. It is good to know that I am not insane for assuming the Volcano cake would be molten.

[mmbgmb]

[QUOTE=CCCM]We ate in Pinnacle twice. Got the Volcano Cake the first night. It did have a liquid center and was perfect...yummy. Second night I got the Creme Brulee. I am a huge Creme Brulee fan (best yet is a restauarant in South Carolina, it was a Creme Brulee Alexander). The Creme Brulee did not taste good that night. If there are people who loved it, then yes there must be a consistency issue.

CCCM,
I love Creme Brulee as well and always get one every where I go! I live in SC and go to a restaurant that has the best of all the others that I've tried! could we be talking about the same? we live in Aiken SC.

we'll be on the O on 10/7/06 and can't wait to try this triple Creme Brulee.. :D

[FoxyTerrier]

I had my first Chocolate Volcano Cake recently - I really loved it, but was surprised how it was servered.

I had always imagined it to be turned out so when you cut into it would flow. Mine was served warm in a dish/bowl that it had been baked in and it had a very very moist center, but it was not the consistancy of anything that would flow.

I didn't get it ala mode, but I'm that would have made it even more wonderul but they would have had to roll me out.

[Typhoon1]

Don't take away the Volcano Cake. It's simply the best.

[debjo]

Now you've got my Chocoholic taste buds watering!
Does anyone have a picture of the "famous" Volcano Cake that they could post on this message thread...I'd love to see what it looks like!

Debjo

[gizmo]

Sorry, I don't have a pix but it doesn't look like much at all. It is not very eye appealing. (IMO) If it were sitting on a dessert buffet I would not consider picking it up. It is very small and round. Maybe about the size of a cupcake, perhaps slightly larger.

[Candy]

Now you've got my Chocoholic taste buds watering!
Does anyone have a picture of the "famous" Volcano Cake that they could post on this message thread... I'd love to see what it looks like! Debjo
It's way better than it looks:

http://images-partners.google.com/images?q=tbn:W82s5DZmFJ3W0M:www.geocities.com/chefsrecipes/Choc-Volc-Cake2.jpg (http://search.netscape.com/ns/img.jsp?img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.com%2Fchefs recipes%2FChoc-Volc-Cake2.jpg&query=grand+marnier+chocolate+volcano+cake&page=1&filter=&site=&h=215&siteUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.com%2Fchefsreci pes%2Fout-of-town-recipe17.htm&thumbUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-partners.google.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AW82s5DZmF J3W0M%3Awww.geocities.com%2Fchefsrecipes%2FChoc-Volc-Cake2.jpg)

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

[sail7seas]

The volcano is served with a grand marnier cream on the side with a chocolate straw and (usually) orange rind.

I really enjoy that dessert. I hardly eat any sweets these days but usually will splurge when we are at Pinnacle and I have a few bites. :)

[gizmo]

The volcano is served with a grand marnier cream on the side with a chocolate straw and (usually) orange rind.

:)



:confused: Not the one Mr.Gizmo had. There was no sauce, no chocolate straw, and no orange rind.

[debjo]

MANY THANKS CANDY...
When I "clicked" on your picture to print it, I was taken to the site that also included the recipe! Now I have pictures & recipes for two of HAL's famous Pinnacle Restaurant desserts. While I'm not usually much good in the kitchen, I'm going to TRY to make these and see how they come out.

Debjo (an admitted "chocoholic")

[sail7seas]

:confused: Not the one Mr.Gizmo had. There was no sauce, no chocolate straw, and no orange rind.

Your steward 'messed up'. It is always to be served that way....I've never seen it served without the cream.

I have posted the recipe here in the past and the cream is included within the recipe.

Your DH should try it again to see how it is supposed to be served. ;)

[gizmo]

I have posted about Mr. Gizmo's experience before. The entire thing was "messed up". It was dry and unedible. :eek:

I seriously doubt Mr.Gizmo would ever order it again. I am sure he will either try something different or skip dessert.

Before anyone suggests that he should have sent it back, by the time they checked on us to see if everything was ok, everyone else was about finished their dessert. He did tell them about it and they offered to replace it but he turned it down.

[RuthC]

It's way better than it looks:


I'll second that! :D
I'll also say that at the end of the Pinnacle meal it's size is sufficient.

[HoneyGV]

You are exactly right. It is supposed to have a 'warm liquid chocolate center' as every recipe for a Volcano or Lava Cake requires. This is the problem- very often in various Pinnacle Grills the cake itself is very dry and there is nothing liquid in the center. Your Maasdam steward either didn't know or was making excuses.

I think if PGs are consistently not able to make this dessert correctly or keep it from drying out, as we have found, it really should be dropped from the menu and something else chocolate substituted.

I agree with you Peaches. The Chocolate Volcano cake was disgustingly delicious.

As an aside, I have a friend who makes a very good spagetti sauce and my neighbor across the street is a private chef. I gave him some and he said it was delicious and asked how she made it. I asked her and she said that everytime she makes it, she does something different. My chef friend said that's not the way it's supposed to be if it's on a menu. It should be exactly the same ALL the time.;)

[HoneyGV]

It is always supposed to be served warm. He did you no 'favor'......that desert should come to the table warm with molten center. When they service it correctly, it is heavenly. (Almost) all the times I have ordered it, the volcano has been wonderful but I have had one or two which were served dry and cold. I asked for (and received) another.



"when they service it correctly"???? Now that sounds a little uh, risque or even X rated. :D

[HoneyGV]

I am really rather amazed that this is what someone would be complaining about on a cruise. I hope this is the only thing you found wrong, and if so, I guess we will be very happy trying HAL.
If you want something really spectacular, go to Morton's and have their warm chocolate godiva cake. It is spectacular.

Oh Robin, the Volcano Cake is one of the things that HAL's Pinnacle is famous for and it's always being touted on the boards. I've never been disappointed in it though and the first time I had it and everytime after...it's been warm with a very very warm center.:)

[HoneyGV]

MANY THANKS CANDY...
When I "clicked" on your picture to print it, I was taken to the site that also included the recipe! Now I have pictures & recipes for two of HAL's famous Pinnacle Restaurant desserts. While I'm not usually much good in the kitchen, I'm going to TRY to make these and see how they come out.

Debjo (an admitted "chocoholic")

Yes, THANKS! I downloaded and printed them all out. The Volcano Cake LOOKS easy enough to make.

[twoatsea]

For what it is worth, here are our 2 Pinnacle experiences to add to the pot.

1st - don't remember which ship - party of 2; about 2 yrs ago.
A. Volcano cake - lava was flowing. After reading about it on CC, I was glad I tried it. It was delicious. Nothing on the side - no straw, no cream, no orange anything.
B. We laughed at the size of the appetizers - so tiny! But they were good; not the best crab cakes by any means, but good.
C. DH is a soup nut & he liked his soup - don't remember what it was.
D. We ordered filet. When ordering, I stated that I did not know what their term was for how I wanted my steak cooked, but I wanted it pink in the center, but no blood juices flowing. The waiter said - medium. DH seconded my order. His was perfect. Mine was running blood. At my insistence so that his entree would not get cold, he ate while I waited. My steak returned (the same one) well done & dry as a saw dust.
E. The chocolates at the end were wonderful!:D
F. The service was adequate; no followup at times, rushed followup at others; had to wait & stop a waiter on 2 occasions (steak & drink refill). Restaurant was about half full.

2nd - Westerdam, 7/9/06 - party of 8
A. Volcano cake, which I recommended to the others (all 1st time HAL cruisers), was not warm; it was dry - looked & tasted like a box mix cupcake. Nothing on the side.
B. DH & I ordered the porterhouse (didn't want to try the filet again). I gave the exact description as above to the waiter. He said "medium". DH seconded my order. My steak was perfect. DH's steak was way too rare.
C. The asparagus (we love asparagus) was served with bernaise sauce (which we love). The sauce was great. The asparagus was awful. It looked like it was "old" or second rate. It was hard, but not the good crisp kind of hard. I didn't comment on it, but couple of others did. No one ate it.
D. We did not receive any chocolates at the end.
E. The service was adequate. Again, with some courses = no followup. I & one other person drank out of their spouse's glass because ours had not been refilled. Restaurant was about half full most of the time & by time we left about 3/4 full.

What we experienced is not fine dining. Our travelmates thought it was OK for a free meal (in our group package); OK for $10, if that was the price; probably wouldn't want to pay $20.

IMO, if HAL wants the Pinnacle to be considered fine dining, it needs to "consistently" have "excellent" food & service. For an average 3 star, at least "consistenly" have "good" food & service. But I don't think HAL is really concerned or these problems would not continue to exist (have seen others post the same problems on CC). IMO that is why it is so easy to get free Pinnacle dinners when booking cruises. So, for free we will go back if there's nothing else we want to do at the time; but won't pay for it, which seems reasonable considering our 2 experiences.

[gizmo]

I think the Pinnacle should be consistent with everything served.

If they can't get the volcano cake right, take it off the menu and replace it with something else.