dining Archives

July 8, 2022October 13, 2022

6 Can’t-Miss Restaurants Near the Port of Rio

Rio is bursting with a vibrant culinary scene thanks to a myriad of fresh produce, carnivorous creations, and savory pastries. If you’re lucky enough to be in the port of Rio, a world of culinary delights await. Here are our top 6 favorite eateries in the port of Rio.

Marius Degustare

Av. Atlantica, 290 Copacabana, RJ

Recognized worldwide, the gastronomical gem offers a sophisticated selection of the freshest seafood and meats around. Fine champagnes and wines, live oysters, caviar, salmon roe, specialty meats, and delectable artisan truffles make this worth the visit. Located on the beautiful Copacabana beach, Patricia Shultz includes Marius Degustare in her book, “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”

Oro

General San Martin Street, 889 Leblon RJ

Flanked with a number of awards, including two years of Michelin star rankings, Oro highlights two menus. The first, Creativity, features daily specials with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The second, Affectivity, appeals to those who desire only one dish. With sharable eats and a wood-burning oven, Chef Felipe Bronze continues to amaze. There’s a reason he’s one of the most awarded chefs of his generation.

Estrelas da Babilonia

Ladeira Ary Barroso

This Latin favorite offers a perfect reprieve from the busy metropolis. Located in Babilonia, you’ll find vegetarian and vegan-friendly options in addition to chicken skewers, excellent service, and artisanal beers. You do need to travel through the favelas, but the local favorite offers spectacular views of the Copacabana and lively sambas. Estrelas da Babilonia is the authentic Rio.

Bar Urca

Rua Candido Gaffree, 205 Urca

This unpretentious neighborhood hotspot has been serving locals and visitors for over 80 years. We love Bar Urca for its icy cold beers, pasteles (pastries stuffed with beef), fish and shrimp stew and palmitos and of course unprecedented views of Guanabara Bay and Rio Niteroi Bridge.

Bar Astor

Av. Vieria Souto, 110 Rio de Janeiro

Not your typical beachfront eatery, Bar Astor favors fancy booths over flip flops and sophisticated ambiance over sandy bar stools. Craft cocktails, stylish sandwiches (salmon sandwich club), high-end cuts of filets served with robust, flavorful sauces and fun snacks like ceviche Miraflores (with fresh coconut, orange, cashew, ginger, and cilantro) make this gastronomical treasure a must.

Mil Frutas

Rua Garcia d Avila, 134A Ipanema

Meaning “A thousand fruits,” Mil Frutas draws a large crowd looking to cool down with tropical sorbets and exotic ice cream flavors. Step out of the box and try unique creations such as brownie and green fig, custard apple ice cream or raspberry and cheese.

April 30, 2022September 2, 2022

Gourmet Dining on Cruises in Africa

Whether you’re exploring the diverse landscapes and deserts or beautiful vineyards of Africa, you’ll find several cruise ships that have some unique dining experiences. Most of the cruises depart and return to Cape Town and some are as long as 14 days. This gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy onboard activities and amazing dining experiences during your voyage. Here are some of our best dining picks for cruises in Africa.

Oceania Nautica

The Nautica cruise ship is famous for its open dining concepts and you can enjoy 5-star experiences in some of the most beautiful dining rooms at sea. Enjoy a sumptuous meal in The Grand Dining Room where the tables are set with bone china and Riedel crystal glasses. This is also the place to enjoy healthy fare from Canyon Ranch Spa Cuisine and nightly specials prepared by the chef. Head to The Bistro for family recipes and global flavors with the Taste of the World selections.

Regent Seven Seas Voyager

Another ship that boasts 5-star dining experiences is from Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The Compass Rose and Chartreuse are the fine dining destinations on board, but you can also enjoy an intimate and glamorous dining experience at the Prime 7 steakhouse. Enjoy Pan-Asian dishes and a dramatic setting inside the Pacific Rim. Elegant breakfast and brunch offerings are available at La Veranda. Enjoy an Italian menu and specialty wine at Sette Mari at La Veranda, the perfect spot to enjoy views of the water while you dine.

Crystal Symphony

Whether you’re going on a 50-night adventure from Cape Town to Europe or another adventure around Africa, enjoy the VIP experience aboard the Crystal Symphony cruise ship. Waterside is the main dining room on the ship and offers fresh takes on classic dishes. You can enjoy a celebrity-chef prepared meal at Umi Uma, formerly the Silk Road restaurant. If it’s date night, be sure to settle in at Prego for the sophisticated ambiance and gourmet cuisine.

June 29, 2019June 28, 2019

Our Guide to Cruise Dining

With innovative creations, fresh regional cuisine, and Michelin-inspired restaurants; cruise dining has come a long way. In addition to the advances in culinary convections, there is also more flexibility as to where and when you dine. While having options is good, choosing seating and restaurants can sometimes get overwhelming. We are here to help! Here’s a breakdown of the difference between set dining and open dining to help you make an informed decision for your next cruise.

Set Dining

When you think of the storied cruise ship dining, brimming with sparkling chandeliers in elegant dining rooms, it’s set (or traditional) dining that you are envisioning. With set dining, you have two options: an early seating or a late seating. Each evening your time, place, server and tablemates will remain the same. There are several benefits to set seating:

Predictability. Knowing what time dinner is each evening makes planning the week and the excursions more convenient. You always know when and where you will be dining, so there is no uncertainty.

Personalized Service: Having the same wait staff each night allows your server to become familiar with your preferences, meaning, if you drink soft drinks without ice, chances are the next time you sit down to dinner, a soft drink without ice will be waiting for you.

Forming Friendships: Dining with the same tablemates each night creates an opportunity to forge lasting friendships.

If after reading this, having a set time and place for dinner nightly is appealing, you now need to choose between the early (generally between 5:45 P.M. – 6:15 P.M) or late (7:45 P.M. – 8:15 P.M.) seating.

Open seating

For those who like more flexibility while traveling, open seating is a great choice as you are not locked into a set dinner time each night. You have the ability to dine at your convenience. However, be aware that you may have to wait for a seat if one is not readily available. You will also have a different server and tablemates, which on the upside presents the opportunity to meet new friends. There’s even a chance for a romantic dinner for two if the restaurant can accommodate that request.

In addition to the traditional and open dining options, cruise lines also offer specialty restaurants. It’s best to make reservations at these venues, as they fill up quickly. There is also an additional fee to dine at premium venues, but they are definitely worth it!

We hope this helps you navigate through cruise ship dining and makes the planning a bit more manageable!

May 13, 2019August 2, 2019

The Best Restaurants in the Bahamas

When you’re ready to soak up some sun in the Bahamas, don’t miss the chance to enjoy some of the beautiful ocean views and gorgeous sunsets while you dine. You’ll find a number of upscale restaurants near the ferry terminal and the port city is ripe for exploring. Several restaurants along the coast of Nassau are the perfect destination for trying some Caribbean food, enjoying live music, and relaxing with a good cocktail. Here’s where you’ll find some of the best restaurant destinations around the Bahamas.

Seafire Steakhouse

Located inside the Atlantis Paradise Island resort, this upscale steakhouse and seafood destination is the perfect place to indulge in Bahamian lobster tail, lemon-pepper tuna and the finest cuts of prime beef. Enjoy fine wines and martinis at the bar before an amazing meal at one of the island’s most sophisticated destinations.

Graycliff Restaurant

Make your way to downtown Nassau to dine at this certified five-star restaurant. The venue boasts five dining rooms and overlooks the gardens. You can take a tour of the wine cellar or settle in for a unique experience at the chef’s table in the kitchen. The menu includes foie gras, conch chowder, and a mix of Caribbean specialties. The secret recipes of this restaurant keep bringing visitors back and you can attend special events and wine tastings throughout the season. Wine Luncheons are a popular activity here, where you’ll get a chance to enjoy a five-course gourmet meal and seasonal dishes.

Katsuya by Starck Baha Mar

Located on Cable Beach, this Japanese restaurant serves a mix of sushi and Bahamian favorites. It’s the perfect place to sample new takes on sushi and creative cocktails, such as the Burning Mandarin with hand-crushed Serrano chili. You’ll also want to spend some time at the Skybar at the SLS Baha Mar, the only rooftop lounge in New Providence. This is the place to enjoy fresh cocktails and some of the most amazing views in The Bahamas.

March 2, 2019May 21, 2019

Foodies Rejoice! Our Favorite Dining on Cruises to Asia

As you set sail to Thailand, Hong Kong, and other exotic destinations in Asia, you can look forward to gourmet dining opportunities and a chance to try Asian cuisine aboard your cruise ship. Several major cruise lines now serve up an array of dishes and specialty items to cater to all palates. Whether you prefer buffet-style dining or a sit down meal with views of the ocean, here’s where you’ll find some of the best dining on cruises to Asia:

Crystal Cruises

Experience the natural beauty and wonders of the Far East with a voyage aboard the Crystal Symphony. The cruise line offers 13-night and 17-night cruises with ports of call in Singapore and Hong Kong. Boasting 6-star service and a chance to discover inspiring cuisine, the dining rooms on the Symphony cruise ship include Michelin-inspired menus inspired by world flavors. This is an all-inclusive cruise experience so you can try a variety of menu offerings, along with speciality dining at Umi Uma & Sushi Bar, Prego, Churrascaria, and the Silk Kitchen & Bar.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The Regent Seven Seas Voyager has several cruise itineraries to Singapore with ports of call in Thailand, Bangkok, Saigon, Vietnam and Malaysia. The Compass Rose serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in an elegant setting and the menu includes vegetarian dishes and Canyon Ranch SpaClub specialties. Enjoy steakhouse fare at Prime 7 and a Parisian menu of offerings at Chartreuse, a chic French fine dining restaurant where you can enjoy dinner with views of the ocean.

Princess Cruises

Head off to the Far East on the Diamond Princess that departs from Osaka, Japan, for an 8-night adventure where you can enjoy specialty dining and unique onboard experiences. You can enjoy unlimited dining 24/7 with the Anytime Dining option and 24-hour room service. The ship also offers traditional dining, Chocolate Journeys, and specialty dining experiences, including the Chef’s Table Experience where the executive chef creates a special menu for the night and you can enjoy a more intimate dining experience.