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The Garden Party

A long cruise - another day at sea FOOD

jim_1 (Zone 5B)

9 years ago

I believe I mentioned before some of the venues for eating. Most people eat their evening meal in the main dining room. There are options for that, you can have an assigned time and table (you dine at the same table with the same people) or you can dine as you wish (go whenever it works for you and either share a table or have a table to yourself). The assigned dining was the only way to dine until the 1990s when some ships began offering the anytime option.

Then, alternative dining options were offered. Each cruise line has their own way of offering those options. On Holland America's ships there is the Pinnacle Grill, an upscale experience with an additional charge of $15.00 per person. Canaletto is an Italian themed restaurant that is more casual than the Pinnacle Grill; there is a $10.00 per person charge.

Once, we ate at the Pinnacle, but most of the time when we want an alternative restaurant we go to the Canaletto. The menu changes every few years, but the service is very personal and the experience is wonderful for us.

Here is part of their menu. Evening meals only.

Comments (17)

jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Each ship can create their own specials, and Maasdam featured this special. I had it a couple of times.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
And, of course the dessert options (IL DOLCI).
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jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
The antipasti tray is presented and you can choose whatever you want in whatever portion you think you can handle. This was what my wife had one time.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Insalata is not a huge portion. That plate is approximately 14" across. It is very tasty.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
This is the cheese tortellini with pesto, etc. Yum!
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
After I finished my chicken cacciatore, I stacked the bones and the herb and presented it back to the servers.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Limoncello Creme dessert. My wife got addicted to this.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Oops missed one. This is the Linguine Frutti di Mare. Sorry about the yellow plate, it is really white, like the others.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
Mille-Feuille Madagascar with Praline and Ice cream. Oh yeah!
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
There is seating for about 24 guests in the Canaletto (named after the painter from Venice - I have done jigsaw puzzles with his paintings of Venice). The staff is three people, officially two servers and the wine steward. However, they work together and titles don't mean much.

After dining there several times we got to know the staff and they got to know us. Diana and my wife are now Facebook buddies! Extra tips went to these three wonderful people.
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
We celebrated our anniversary at the Canaletto. It just happened to slip out that it was a special occasion and the supervisor and the three of them presented this cake to us and made a BIG deal about the occasion.

Since we have cruised on Holland America previously, we qualified for a discount in the Canaletto, it was only $7.50 per person. After our next cruise with them, it drops to $5.00. If we were to book a suite (Big Bucks), then there is no charge.

They used to have an option of freshly spun cotton candy, either pink or blue. However, that was dropped several years ago. Generally we walk away from this experience feeling good. And full!
lilosophie
9 years ago
Unfair! I looked at this with my first cup of coffee and long before breakfast, it all looks good enough to eat
west_gardener
9 years ago
Jim, now you are talking my language, FOOD.
It looks so good.
oldfixer
9 years ago
So what is all inclusive? Can you dine in shorts & flip flops?
jim_1 (Zone 5B)
Original Author
9 years ago
The Lido Restaurant is super casual. You can take three meals a day there, no dress code. Shorts are OK in the main dining room for lunch, but never flip flops. If you want to not wear a shirt, then the burger grill/hispanic buffet/pizza counter are all by the pool and open noon until 6:00 every day.

All those places are have food included in your fare. Likewise, room service is no charge (a tip is traditional for that) with a decent menu. Room service is 24 hours. Princess Cruise lines has an "International Cafe" that is open 24 hours and they have a good selection of items that are appropriate for the hour. All other venues have posted hours.

Some cruise lines have pizza available 24 hours. None do the midnight buffets as used to happen 25+ years ago.
anneliese_32
9 years ago
I could live with that menu.
gandle
9 years ago
Jim, your posts are entertaining and your choice of words is excellent. BUT, when I got out of the navy W.W.2, I swore I would never look at another ship.

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