Maten allt viktigare

Senast uppdaterad 03 Oktober 2008

  [Foto: Celebrity Cruises]

För att uppfylla de allt högre förväntningarna på bra mat satsar nu kryssningsföretagen på ett bredare och högklassigare matutbud på sina nya fartyg. Ett bra exempel på trenden är Celebrity Cruises Solstice, nu under konstruktion för leverans i december 2008.

”Matupplevelsen har alltid varit viktig för våra gäster” säger Dan Hanrahan, VD Celebrity Cruises. ”Den större storleken på Celebrity Solstice har gett oss fler valmöjligheter inom design, och att skapa banbrytande menyer”.

Till hjälp att designa restaurangerna ombord har Celebrity tagit Adam Tihany, som har skapat kända restauranger som Per Se och Le Cirque i New York, tidigare nämnda Aureole, Bouchon, och Seablue i Las Vegas, m. fl. Ombord på Celebrity Solstice har Adam designat tre av de tio restaurangerna; huvudmatsalen Grand Epernay, Tuscan Grille, och Oceanview Cafe and Grill.

Menyskapandet har letts av Celebritys Jacques Van Staden, som själv tidigare i karriären varit mästerkock och restaurangägare i bl. a. Las Vegas. Till sin hjälp har han Elisabeth Blau och hennes konsultfirma Blau and Associates, som tidigare bl.a. utformat menyer för Bellagio och Hard Rock Hotel i Las Vegas.

Tillsammans har Tihany, Van Staden, och Blau höjt ribban för nya kryssningsfartyg. Kryssningstips ser med spänning och förväntan fram emot att se det färdiga resultatet i december 2008.

Restaurangerna har som synes fått mycket uppmärksamhet på Celebrity Solstice. Men fartyget bjuder också på annat nyskapande. På soldäck har man t.ex. en äkta gräsmatta, den första ombord på ett kryssningsfartyg. Gräsmattan är stor som en tredjedels fotbollsplan, och man kan ägna sig åt diverse aktiviteter som boule, golfputtning, eller krocket, eller bara helt enkelt njuta av solen i en vilstol.

En annan nyhet på Celebrity Solstice är glasblåsning. Det berömda glasföretaget Corning driver Corning Museum of Glass, där man kan se glas tillverkas av hantverkare. Kanske inte någon direkt nyhet för oss svenskar, men definitivt en nyhet för kryssningsbranschen.

Celebrity Solstice lovar att bli ett intressant fartyg. Kryssningstips återkommer med en mer detaljerad beskrivning efter jungfruresan.

Härnedan en kortfattad beskrivning av restaurangerna ombord (på engelska, från Celebritys litteratur).

The Grand Epernay

Old Hollywood glamour meets stunning contemporary design in this refined, sweeping main dining room created by Adam Tihany, highlighted by a distinctive, dramatic, two-story glass wine tower. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, evening entrée options include peppered bison filet with red onion preserve; smoked filet with lentil stew, sultana caper and beef jus; and taro-crusted salmon filet with glazed Brussels sprouts, turnip hash and apple cider sauce. A champagne collection from the region inspiring the venue’s name includes Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon, Heidsieck and Monopole, Champagne Pol Roger, and Louis Roederer Cristal.

Tuscan Grille

The Old World charm of Italy is the inspiration behind this Tihany-designed specialty venue, where guests enter through an archway reminiscent of a fine Napa Valley wine cellar. There, diners can enjoy Caesar salads prepared tableside, antipasti bar, Kobe beef, and a variety of steaks, all paired with a robust list of fine Italian wines.

Silk Harvest

Exotic Asia is the theme of this contemporary, casual specialty restaurant designed by RTKL. The menu serves up a fusion of hot and cold, spicy and mild Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and Indian selections, while the specially-selected libations include a variety of sakes, Asian-influenced martinis and beers, and cocktails created with ginger root and acai berries.

Blu

“Clean cuisine” is served in this soothing specialty venue designed by Celebrity’s own Newbuilding and Design team. A venue exclusively for guests booked in Celebrity Solstice’s new AquaClass category of accommodations, Blu is open for other guests on a space-available basis. The menu features savory appetizers such as roasted beet salad with goat cheese; Mediterranean chopped salad with pita chips and pomegranate vinaigrette; and entrees including blackened ahi tuna, pan-seared filet mignon, and herb-crusted rack of lamb.

Murano

A twist on the restaurant of the same name on Celebrity Century, and reflective of the specialty restaurants on the cruise line’s Millennium-class fleet, Murano presents a blend of classic and modern Continental cuisine. The warm, elegant restaurant designed by BG Studios of New York features dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, with romantic ocean views that pair beautifully with the fine Riedel stemware, exquisite bone china and gleaming silverware. The wine cellar offers options from around the world, with a focus on boutique-style and limited-production vintages. Appetizers include warm goat cheese pancakes with sweet bell pepper nage; salads include a combination of Maine lobster, white asparagus and black truffle lobster aioli; and entrees run the gamut from spice-roasted duck with raisin-apple compote to pan-seared turbot with Alaskan King crab ragout.

Bistro on Five

A variety of specialty crepes highlight the menu in this casually-chic location, where guests are welcome to take out selections, but the ocean views are likely to entice them to stay. Designed by Wilson Butler Associates, the venue’s creperie is complemented with sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts and entrees including quiche, fish and chips, baked ziti and chicken pot pie nearly around-the-clock.
Café al Bacio & Gelateria

This upscale coffeehouse radiates all the energy of a popular European café, highlighted by a sophisticated gelateria serving authentic gelatos and Italian ices, as well as signature and specialty coffees, teas, fresh-baked pastries, chocolate truffles and petit fours.

AquaSpa Café

The AquaSpa Café is the perfect option for guests seeking quick, lighter fare. A signature venue introduced on Celebrity’s Millennium-class fleet, and designed by RTKL, the soothing, airy setting invites guests to dine at comfortable tables while soaking up the tranquility of the Solarium, or enjoy their cuisine while nestled in the comfort of the lounge chairs.

Mast Grill & Bar

Comfort food is the focus of this ultra-casual, poolside venue, where the simple, fast and tasty options include burgers grilled to order, tacos, nachos, hot dogs, bratwurst, chicken wings, lamb gyros, Reuben sandwiches, and onion rings.

Oceanview Café and Grill

Embodying the casually chic atmosphere of a European marketplace, this Tihany-designed restaurant offers extensive menus with international flavors that change to reflect the regions in which the ship is sailing. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the venue offers plenty of outdoor seating for dining al fresco and soaking up the sun and sea air. Inside, during evening hours, a special section of the venue features tables draped with linen tablecloths for yet another casual dining option.

Bo Sjösten

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