JJV93

He was wonderful! We even stopped by to say hello to him at the Cafe Promenade where he works during the day. (May have mentioned that before.) He was happy to see us, but didn't remember our names. I sure didn't take that personally! :)

 

Same exact experience! He talked my wife out of the Carpaccio, but brought one to try anyway.

We stop by a few times to see him at Cafe Promenade too!!! Loved your review. I had read it before we left on our cruise but now re-reading it after we actual had the dining experience (very similiar to yours) its even better. We also loved Chef Table, Chops, 120 Central, Giovanni and Park Cafe.

He was wonderful! We even stopped by to say hello to him at the Cafe Promenade where he works during the day. (May have mentioned that before.) He was happy to see us, but didn't remember our names. I sure didn't take that personally! :)

 

Same exact experience! He talked my wife out of the Carpaccio, but brought one to try anyway.

We stop by a few times to see him at Cafe Promenade too!!! Loved your review. I had read it before we left on our cruise but now re-reading it after we actual had the dining experience (very similiar to yours) its even better. We also loved Chef Table, Chops, 120 Central, Giovanni and Park Cafe.

Everyone getting tired yet? 3 more days and 3 more specialty restaurants to go!

 

Part 8: Chops!

 

So we started the morning in the Solarium for breakfast. This was the morning I stopped by the Park Café for a banana before heading to the gym. I wish the Vitality Café, which is right outside the spa and gym had fruit set out, but I didn’t see any. They may have had some behind the counter. It was a very slow morning since we didn’t dock at Costa Maya until 11:30 AM. We were heading to Maya Chan that afternoon and we had a delicious lunch there. Their tacos were excellent! Their drinks were excellent! We were there for WAY too short a time. But that’s a review for another time.

 

The lovely Perla bringing us some fruit salad at Maya Chan

 

I was a little concerned that I would overeat at Maya Chan and not be hungry enough for Chops, but I quickly got over that and ignored any fullness I felt. Thankfully I didn’t drink too much. If I had done that I don’t think I would have made it there at all.

 

Chops is lovely and Central Park is such a nice setting for ALL of the restaurants. Makes you feel like you are in a beautiful part of town, especially at night. You stroll through the gardens and everything is lit up. It really is beautiful.

 

We had a very nice table for two in a row of tables for two near the window.

 

Pritesh took this picture of us before our meal at Chops

 

I ordered a bottle of the Duckhorn Merlot. I figured it would go well with our entrees and not overpower the rest of the courses. Our waiter, Pritesh from India, brought the bottle over and prepared for the traditional tasting, but then he swirled the glass for me! And probably did a better job of it than I would. He then poured us each a glass and swirled those also. It’s just one of those touches that make you feel like you’re being pampered and that you are in a fancy restaurant. Well done Pritesh!

 

My wife ordered the Lobster Carpaccio and immediately Pritesh encouraged her to order something else. He said it’s not going to be what she thinks it will be. So she ordered the Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake, which is what she should have ordered to begin with. I ordered the Forest Mushroom Soup. I still had the taste of the mushroom soup in my mouth from Chef’s Table, but I was eyeing that soup even before the cruise when I saw it on the menu. I also ordered a Shrimp Cocktail and my wife said she would share that with me. Pritesh also said he would bring a Lobster Carpaccio so we could taste it.

 

Of course Pritesh was right! The lobster was, umm, chopped (?) and then formed into very thin patties (?). It was ODD to say the least. It didn’t even taste like lobster and the consistency was horrible. DO NOT get this dish. My wife’s crab cake was delicious! The rémoulade sauce was so tasty! Nice touch of spice without it being overwhelming and went so well with the cake. The soup was so tasty. Very much like the soup at Chef’s Table. Maybe slightly less rich, but then it was 4-5 times the size. So a little less rich is called for. The Shrimp Cocktail was, well, shrimp cocktail. The shrimps were large, tasty and snapped in your mouth. The cocktail sauce was just what it should be with the right amount of horseradish. I think I dipped some bread in it after the shrimp were gone. I couldn’t resist.

 

For our entrees my wife ordered the Petit Filet Mignon. Pritesh tried to talk her into the full size one, but she said that the petit was plenty. I was torn between the Broiled Veal Chop and the Beef Rib Eye. Jackie had told us how wonderful the Veal Chop was, but the Rib Eye was right up my alley. I asked Pritesh for his thoughts and he said Rib Eye. I said, let’s do it! When our steaks were served Pritesh came over with the sauces. The choices are Classic Béarnaise, Green Peppercorn Sauce, Chimichurri Sauce and Cabernet Reduction. He recommended the Peppercorn or the Cabernet. I said that I can’t choose between three, those two and the Chimichurri, I love them all! So he put all three on my plate, pouring a slightly larger than small amount of sauce at the edge of my steak in three different areas. It was so much fun trying each of the sauces with the steak. I don’t remember liking one over the other, they were all sooo delicious. I finished my 16 oz. steak as easily as my wife finished her 7 oz. We also ordered three sides: Roasted Potatoes with Prosciutto and Parmesan, Sautéed Broccolini and Crimini Mushrooms and Leeks. We didn’t finish any of the three, but all we delicious. I ate some mushrooms with my steak and that was very nice. Also, the wine went very well with the steak and all of the sauces.

 

My wife said that she enjoyed Pritesh so much that she has to make a comment on our way out. After the entrees, the Maitre d’ was wandering through the restaurant asking everyone how their meal was, making sure everyone was happy. My wife stopped him and told him how wonderful Pritesh was. He said that she was just saying that, but she insisted and said that she had planned to tell him what a great waiter he is. The Maitre d’ told us that he is indeed an excellent waiter and they have big plans for him. Good luck, Pritesh!

 

For dessert my wife had the Cheese Cake and I had Apple Pie a la Mode. For me, the pie was a great way to top off this meal. It was lighter than having chocolate cake and the vanilla ice cream was refreshing. It was sweet, which is what I usually look for in a dessert. My wife says the cheese cake was excellent! However, I must say the dessert choices were a little flat. A special place should have special desserts and these were mostly ordinary. We both very much enjoyed what we ordered and that’s what counts. But I did take note that the dessert menu was not very impressive.

 

This was such a wonderful meal. If you absolutely wanted to go to ONLY ONE specialty restaurant, GO HERE! (I’ll tell you why I say that at the end.)

 

Next : Part 9: Solarium Bistro

We had Pritesh as our waiter on our recent August 21 sailing and YES he is outstanding!!! We also made a comment on our way out of the resturant. Gave him 5 stars on the comment card. BTW, we too asked about Lobster Carpaccio - Pritesh talk me out of it...THANK GOD. Because he brought one for us to try and it was terrible.

If you going to Chops on the Oasis ask for to be put in his section. You won't regret it.

Everyone getting tired yet? 3 more days and 3 more specialty restaurants to go!

 

Part 8: Chops!

 

So we started the morning in the Solarium for breakfast. This was the morning I stopped by the Park Café for a banana before heading to the gym. I wish the Vitality Café, which is right outside the spa and gym had fruit set out, but I didn’t see any. They may have had some behind the counter. It was a very slow morning since we didn’t dock at Costa Maya until 11:30 AM. We were heading to Maya Chan that afternoon and we had a delicious lunch there. Their tacos were excellent! Their drinks were excellent! We were there for WAY too short a time. But that’s a review for another time.

 

The lovely Perla bringing us some fruit salad at Maya Chan

 

I was a little concerned that I would overeat at Maya Chan and not be hungry enough for Chops, but I quickly got over that and ignored any fullness I felt. Thankfully I didn’t drink too much. If I had done that I don’t think I would have made it there at all.

 

Chops is lovely and Central Park is such a nice setting for ALL of the restaurants. Makes you feel like you are in a beautiful part of town, especially at night. You stroll through the gardens and everything is lit up. It really is beautiful.

 

We had a very nice table for two in a row of tables for two near the window.

 

Pritesh took this picture of us before our meal at Chops

 

I ordered a bottle of the Duckhorn Merlot. I figured it would go well with our entrees and not overpower the rest of the courses. Our waiter, Pritesh from India, brought the bottle over and prepared for the traditional tasting, but then he swirled the glass for me! And probably did a better job of it than I would. He then poured us each a glass and swirled those also. It’s just one of those touches that make you feel like you’re being pampered and that you are in a fancy restaurant. Well done Pritesh!

 

My wife ordered the Lobster Carpaccio and immediately Pritesh encouraged her to order something else. He said it’s not going to be what she thinks it will be. So she ordered the Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake, which is what she should have ordered to begin with. I ordered the Forest Mushroom Soup. I still had the taste of the mushroom soup in my mouth from Chef’s Table, but I was eyeing that soup even before the cruise when I saw it on the menu. I also ordered a Shrimp Cocktail and my wife said she would share that with me. Pritesh also said he would bring a Lobster Carpaccio so we could taste it.

 

Of course Pritesh was right! The lobster was, umm, chopped (?) and then formed into very thin patties (?). It was ODD to say the least. It didn’t even taste like lobster and the consistency was horrible. DO NOT get this dish. My wife’s crab cake was delicious! The rémoulade sauce was so tasty! Nice touch of spice without it being overwhelming and went so well with the cake. The soup was so tasty. Very much like the soup at Chef’s Table. Maybe slightly less rich, but then it was 4-5 times the size. So a little less rich is called for. The Shrimp Cocktail was, well, shrimp cocktail. The shrimps were large, tasty and snapped in your mouth. The cocktail sauce was just what it should be with the right amount of horseradish. I think I dipped some bread in it after the shrimp were gone. I couldn’t resist.

 

For our entrees my wife ordered the Petit Filet Mignon. Pritesh tried to talk her into the full size one, but she said that the petit was plenty. I was torn between the Broiled Veal Chop and the Beef Rib Eye. Jackie had told us how wonderful the Veal Chop was, but the Rib Eye was right up my alley. I asked Pritesh for his thoughts and he said Rib Eye. I said, let’s do it! When our steaks were served Pritesh came over with the sauces. The choices are Classic Béarnaise, Green Peppercorn Sauce, Chimichurri Sauce and Cabernet Reduction. He recommended the Peppercorn or the Cabernet. I said that I can’t choose between three, those two and the Chimichurri, I love them all! So he put all three on my plate, pouring a slightly larger than small amount of sauce at the edge of my steak in three different areas. It was so much fun trying each of the sauces with the steak. I don’t remember liking one over the other, they were all sooo delicious. I finished my 16 oz. steak as easily as my wife finished her 7 oz. We also ordered three sides: Roasted Potatoes with Prosciutto and Parmesan, Sautéed Broccolini and Crimini Mushrooms and Leeks. We didn’t finish any of the three, but all we delicious. I ate some mushrooms with my steak and that was very nice. Also, the wine went very well with the steak and all of the sauces.

 

My wife said that she enjoyed Pritesh so much that she has to make a comment on our way out. After the entrees, the Maitre d’ was wandering through the restaurant asking everyone how their meal was, making sure everyone was happy. My wife stopped him and told him how wonderful Pritesh was. He said that she was just saying that, but she insisted and said that she had planned to tell him what a great waiter he is. The Maitre d’ told us that he is indeed an excellent waiter and they have big plans for him. Good luck, Pritesh!

 

For dessert my wife had the Cheese Cake and I had Apple Pie a la Mode. For me, the pie was a great way to top off this meal. It was lighter than having chocolate cake and the vanilla ice cream was refreshing. It was sweet, which is what I usually look for in a dessert. My wife says the cheese cake was excellent! However, I must say the dessert choices were a little flat. A special place should have special desserts and these were mostly ordinary. We both very much enjoyed what we ordered and that’s what counts. But I did take note that the dessert menu was not very impressive.

 

This was such a wonderful meal. If you absolutely wanted to go to ONLY ONE specialty restaurant, GO HERE! (I’ll tell you why I say that at the end.)

 

Next : Part 9: Solarium Bistro

We had Pritesh as our waiter on our recent August 21 sailing and YES he is outstanding!!! We also made a comment on our way out of the resturant. Gave him 5 stars on the comment card. BTW, we too asked about Lobster Carpaccio - Pritesh talk me out of it...THANK GOD. Because he brought one for us to try and it was terrible.

If you going to Chops on the Oasis ask for to be put in his section. You won't regret it.