Need Specifics on Pinnacles-Please

[Bfson]

Could any of you HAL veterans give me some more specific information on Pinnacles?

I'm told the menu does not change from night to night-is this true? (except lobster night?)

If so, how many courses are there and how many choices are there for each of those courses?

Are there any memorable dishes (other than the crab cakes I've heard so much about)?

How large is the restuarant (on the Oosterdam)?

Details please!

Thanks in advance

[localady]

Bfson-
Welcome to the CC HAL Board!

I can answer the questions about the Pinnacle Grill but the size and location on your ship, as we've not sailed Vista-class ships.

The menu doesn't change except for a once a cruise Vintner's Dinner which is a gala event with many different wines. The pride of the Pinnacle are their sterling beef cuts...they offer a beautiful Porterhouse, Rib Eye, 2 cuts of filet mignon, as well as fresh fish, broiled lamb chops and a seafood stew. They offer a series of sides including mushrooms, asparagus, potatoes au gratin, etc. Appetizers include the crab cakes, a smoked fish medley etc. The seasonal salad with fresh pear,dried cranberries and pecans and blue cheese is wonderful. The finale includes a chocolate volcano cake that I dream about and although sinfully rich, it's a true treat!:cool:

The cover per person is 20$. First night is $10 and must be booked by ship services before your cruise. It's a great way to start the cruise!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!:cool:

[kelelmel]

Check out 'Candy', her profile has the menu for the Pinnacle Grill, which may help you.

[doone]

The Pinnacle is a great place. I have only eaten there once, but had the crab cakes, delmonico steak, asparagas, scalloped potatoes and the chocolate volcano cake, all were superb. Eating there again in March and cannot wait.

Others in my party had the salmon and said it was wonderful.

[cruisinjudy]

There was a discussion a while back on whether you could order two entrees at Pinnacle. I decided to ask, not while I was dining there, but later in the cruise. The answer is that you would pay again for a second entree, but that you could order as many side dishes as you wished.

[Cruising Jake]

I called ships services to make a reservation at the Pinnacle for the first night and they told me that I had to do it on the ship.

[doone]

Isn't there a form to fill out for the Pinnacle for the first night with your documents that you can fax????? I thought I had one with my documents for the Rotterdam, anyone else??

[the2ofus]

Cruising Jake, make a call to Ships Services again. I think you got incorrect information. I just called last week for a reservation for first night 12/12 on Westerdam and was able to reserve a table for two, $10 each, charged to my credit card.

Perhaps you are cruising in the very near future and the first night is already full? Seems unlikely. Another call might clear things up.

[gizmo]

Isn't there a form to fill out for the Pinnacle for the first night with your documents that you can fax????? I thought I had one with my documents for the Rotterdam, anyone else??
Yes, we had one also.

[ekerr19]

I think the menu may change from ship to ship... on the Maasdam last April we had the surf & turf combo and it was fabulous. The lobster tail was small, but quite easily the best I've ever had - not tough or stringy. The petite filet was perfect.

I remember Superstein posting that on his cruise on the Zui lobster was not offered in the Pinnacle. I was surprised to hear this - I had hoped the surf & turf combo was a new addition. :)

[bepsf]

I've done both - made reservations after boarding the ship and called ship services prior to sailing - and have been able to get a table for the first night on both cruises just fine.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I think the menu may change from ship to ship... on the Maasdam last April we had the surf & turf combo and it was fabulous. The lobster tail was small, but quite easily the best I've ever had - not tough or stringy. The petite filet was perfect.

I remember Superstein posting that on his cruise on the Zui lobster was not offered in the Pinnacle. I was surprised to hear this - I had hoped the surf & turf combo was a new addition. :)
ekerr, I do think the lobster is a new additional to the Pinnacle. When we were on the Zuirderdam in 2003 there was no Lobster any night offered, but this past Oosterdam cruise they mentioned it in the daily flyer that for an additional fee (I forgot how much you could add a lobster tail to any entree) We did not go to the Pinnacle that cruise but definitely plan to attend on the Ryndam. I am guessing 4 weeks from tomorrow night I will be dining there:D

[ekerr19]

ekerr, I do think the lobster is a new additional to the Pinnacle. When we were on the Zuirderdam in 2003 there was no Lobster any night offered, but this past Oosterdam cruise they mentioned it in the daily flyer that for an additional fee (I forgot how much you could add a lobster tail to any entree) We did not go to the Pinnacle that cruise but definitely plan to attend on the Ryndam. I am guessing 4 weeks from tomorrow night I will be dining there:D

Lisa-

Oh, I wish I were dining in the Pinnacle! Make sure you let us know all about it!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa-

Oh, I wish I were dining in the Pinnacle! Make sure you let us know all about it!
Thanks, the whole week will be a "Dam the Diet Week:D "

[ekerr19]

Thanks, the whole week will be a "Dam the Diet Week:D "

Good for you! Enjoy yourselves... :) I can't wait to hear about your trip - I love your itinerary, it sure has some different ports.

Are you going to try and post from the ship?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

[QUOTE=ekerr19
Are you going to try and post from the ship?[/QUOTE]
Unfortuately I seriously doubt it. Because I am on the computer 6 days a week for work and am on line from 6 in the morning till 8 at night with only a few hours away from it. I usually go COLD TURKEY the whole week (Gee Cold Turkey just brought to mind a weekend in my early 20's drinking a few bottles of Cold Turkey
:eek: ) Oh that's a scarry thought. But who knows I might not be able to control this habit and have to buy a internet pacakge.:p

I will though post a review and pictures upon our return.

[dakrewser]

(Gee Cold Turkey just brought to mind a weekend in my early 20's drinking a few bottles of Cold Turkey:eek: )
Um, Lisa? It might have been cold DUCK, (or maybe you tossed a flask of Wild Turkey in the freezer :eek: ).

They say the memory is the second thing to go, but I forget what's first....:rolleyes:

-dave

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Um, Lisa? It might have been cold DUCK, (or maybe you tossed a flask of Wild Turkey in the freezer :eek: ).

They say the memory is the second thing to go, but I forget what's first....:rolleyes:

-dave
You are sooo right Dave. You would think I had been drinking some of the Cold Fowl:eek: Actually my brain cells still have a little left over Champagne from yesterdays Brunch:cool:

[ekerr19]

Um, Lisa? It might have been cold DUCK, (or maybe you tossed a flask of Wild Turkey in the freezer :eek: ).

They say the memory is the second thing to go, but I forget what's first....:rolleyes:

-dave

That's what I was thinking too! For whatever reason, Cold Duck used to be popular in the 70's -

Maybe Lisa crossed her Duck & Turkey! Lol, just kiddin you, Lisa! :eek:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

That's what I was thinking too! For whatever reason, Cold Duck used to be popular in the 70's -

Maybe Lisa crossed her Duck & Turkey! Lol, just kiddin you, Lisa! :eek:
Yes, it was the 70's, I had just forgotten what kind of Cold Bird it was. Oh the 70's were good times weren't they:D I remember waking up hours later to " Band on the Run" thinking it had only been a few minutes:eek: It is amazing what 30 years more does to us:o

[ekerr19]

Yes, it was the 70's, I had just forgotten what kind of Cold Bird it was. Oh the 70's were good times weren't they:D I remember waking up hours later to " Band on the Run" thinking it had only been a few minutes:eek: It is amazing what 30 years more does to us:o

LOL! My parents used to drink that stuff on Thanksgiving with the Turkey! It could have been used as the poster child for "anti-teen drinking" YUK!

Time flies doesn't it???? I don't think I'd want to repeat those days though ... :rolleyes:

http://enderzero.net/smilies/partytime.gif

[lipoppop]

Thanks, the whole week will be a "Dam the Diet Week:D "


I understand that HAL has found a new way to make money. You can now order, pre-boarding only, absolutions for overeating.

$1 per person per day if you only eat at the Lido
$2 per person per day if you use the dining room
$3 per person per day if you eat at the pinacle
$4 per person per day that you order room service.

They are nondenominational and thy are placed under the chocolate on your pillow in the evening.

(did I really write that?) ( I must still be giddy since I found out my Veendam Dec. 11th itinerary has changed.) :cool: :cool:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I understand that HAL has found a new way to make money. You can now order, pre-boarding only, absolutions for overeating.

$1 per person per day if you only eat at the Lido
$2 per person per day if you use the dining room
$3 per person per day if you eat at the pinacle
$4 per person per day that you order room service.

They are nondenominational and thy are placed under the chocolate on your pillow in the evening.

(did I really write that?) ( I must still be giddy since I found out my Veendam Dec. 11th itinerary has changed.) :cool: :cool:
Coincidence the above adds up to the $10.00 per day same as the Auto Tip;)

I think all 4 would be worth it.

[Bfson]

In lieu of the chocolate dessert, is there a cheese course available?

[mattR]

What are the chairs worth and place settings in the Pinnicle? I know I seen it mentioned here before somewhere?

[RuthC]

Place settings were reported at $495/setting. That figure I remember.
Don't have a clue what the chairs cost, but it has to be a pretty penny.

[Orcrone]

Place settings were reported at $495/setting. That figure I remember.
Don't have a clue what the chairs cost, but it has to be a pretty penny. $495 a setting.:eek: I'd be nervous eating on that. Do you think they could bring me some Chinette or Corelle?;)

[ekerr19]

Place settings were reported at $495/setting. That figure I remember.
Don't have a clue what the chairs cost, but it has to be a pretty penny.

Our TA said that during one of the guest & TA previews of the Zuiderdam, people were picking up the plates and dishes and putting them in their purses, bags, etc. They had to stop setting the tables during guest visits for awhile... :(

[Orcrone]

Our TA said that during one of the guest & TA previews of the Zuiderdam, people were picking up the plates and dishes and putting them in their purses, bags, etc. They had to stop setting the tables during guest visits for awhile... :(I feel bad for doing that. I now have a beautiful service for 8, and no serving pieces to go with it.;)

[Candy]

East Carib Menu below...

Check out 'Candy', her profile has the menu for the Pinnacle Grill, which may help you.

[ekerr19]

I feel bad for doing that. I now have a beautiful service for 8, and no serving pieces to go with it.;)

I guess you'll have to take eight cruises on Vista class, or eat in the Pinnacle eight times and stuff the serving pieces down the front of your tux!

Don't try putting them in DW's evening bag - she's gonna pretend she doesn't even know you! :eek:

[bepsf]

I guess you'll have to take eight cruises on Vista class, or eat in the Pinnacle eight times and stuff the serving pieces down the front of your tux!

Don't try putting them in DW's evening bag - she's gonna pretend she doesn't even know you! :eek:
Reminds me of an old C&W song about a guy who works at the Cadillac factory and starts bringing parts home in his lunchbox to build a Cadillac for himself...

He ended up w/ a 61-62-63-64-65-66-67-68... Cadillac.

[Orcrone]

I guess you'll have to take eight cruises on Vista class, or eat in the Pinnacle eight times and stuff the serving pieces down the front of your tux!

Don't try putting them in DW's evening bag - she's gonna pretend she doesn't even know you! :eek:That is one of the best ideas I've heard!!! I'll rent a tux several sizes too big and go to the Pinnacle throughout the cruise. On the first night I'll be able to fit the larger serving bowls in the tux. As I ....er... expand through the cruise I'll just take successively smaller pieces each night. By the end of the cruise I'll only be able to fit a serving fork in the tux.

If I can't get all the pieces I need that way I can always go to the Pinnacle more than once a night. That holds especially true the first night, since I can get the pieces for 1/2 price.:D May have to go three or four times that night.

BTW, DW ususally pretends not to know me when we're out in public.:eek:

[Orcrone]

Reminds me of an old C&W song about a guy who works at the Cadillac factory and starts bringing parts home in his lunchbox to build a Cadillac for himself...

He ended up w/ a 61-62-63-64-65-66-67-68... Cadillac.I also heard this story (probably an urban myth) of the employee who was transporting equipment between facilities in a wheelbarrel. They became suspicious of him stealing the equipment and started monitoring what was leaving one facility and arriving at the next. But every piece of equipment that left the first facility did indeed arrive at the second.

This continued until they discovered he was stealing wheelbarrels.

[dakrewser]

That is one of the best ideas I've heard!!! I'll rent a tux several sizes too big and go to the Pinnacle throughout the cruise.

What's this I hear about you stuffing serving people into your tuxedo pockets? Sure those nice Indonesian stewards are great and they might fit in your pocket, but then you have to put them in your luggage to get hem home. Amd where will they sleep? Who'll do their laundry?

What? Serving pieces?

Never mind. :rolleyes:

-emily

[sandydownunder]

We dined in the Pinnacle on the Maasdam back in May. It was the first cruise for the Maasdam where tips were added to your on board account. Our American friends treated us to the meal. We had bought a bottle of Australian wine on shore, so we stopped by and asked the maitre'd if we could bring it that night. He told us no problem, but there would be a $10 corkage charge. This we accepted. When we received the bill, it was $15 +15% service fee. I questioned the waiter who brought me back the drinks menu pointing out that the charge was indeed $15. I called over the Maitre'd and politely told him that he'd said $10 when I'd visited earlier in the day. He was surprised and said he didn't know the charge had increased but told the waiter to only charge me $10.The bill was returned $10 +15% service. It was embarrassing enough to question the bill in front of our friends so I didn't enter into why you would have to pay a service fee charge on top of a service. Does anyone know why?

The meal was excellent, the service very good and we had a delightful evening with our friends. However, I don't think it worthwhile to bring your own wine. We just wanted an Australian wine to make it a special dining experience.

Sandra

[Bfson]

Sandra-thanks for the information. Gee $15 PLUS a 15% service charge is high. But I'm in a bit of a different situation than many others. In addition to my career, I'm a professional wine show judge.We have a fairly large cellar of older wines to be consumed on special occasions (and if a cruise isn't a special occasion, I don't know what is-(g)) We may even bring a Grange! So we will probably bring our own wine for each meal and pay the high corkage fee. But thanks for the information,

[Mark1513]

I was able to book the Pinnicle Grill for the first night in advance from ship services.