Order with confidence after I introduce you to all the exotic ingredients on the menu at Raw on 5! ;)
If you're a seafood lover looking to indulge in some elegant and creative dining at sea, Raw on 5 is for you! But what if you're not into slimy oysters, raw fish on rice, or seafood in general? Don't worry! You can find hot plates sans seafood like Tonkotsu Ramen, Pork Belly Skewers, and Chicken Ginger Gyoza at Raw on 5. If you're vegetarian, Edamame and Miso Soup await you! :) Which Ships have Raw on 5?
Raw on 5 is available on Celebrity Edge Class Ships including Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Beyond.
Does Celebrity Xcel have Raw on 5? Great question! Celebrity Xcel will soon join the fleet of Edge Class Ships and while we can assume it will, hang tight for official word. ;) How much does Raw on 5 cost?
While some Specialty Dining restaurants have a cover charge which allows you to order anything from the menu, others are a la carte style. (Remember our Le Grand Bistro Review?)
Raw on 5 is a la carte style. This means you order off the menu like any restaurant you are used to on land and pay the price per item. This can make specialty dining more approachable as you may only want one specific item for $15 and wouldn't find a cover charge of $50 to be worth it.
On the other hand, some prefer a flat-fee cover charge as they feel more confident to step out of their comfort zone when ordering resting assured they can always add an order of something more "safe" if they don't like their adventurous choice.
Let's take a look at the prices on these sample menus! Pictures of Raw on 5 Menu with prices!Rolls & Nigiri - Celebrity Raw on 5 Menu
Raw & Barely Dressed - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
With the likes of Sashimi, Oysters, and Tiradito, the Raw and Barely Dressed menu is not for the faint of heart.
What is Kakiage? It's a tempura Japanese dish. So on Celebrity Beyond you can have shrimp and scallop dipped in tempura batter and deep fried if you order the Shrimp and Scallop Kakiage. That sounds delicious!
What is Furikake? The Crispy Shrimp are seasoned with Furikake, a Japanese seasoning that is crunchy, salty, and a bit nutty/earthy. It usually includes dried fish, seaweed, salt and sugar. Furikake apparently means sprinkle in Japanese, as in "to sprinkle", but the seasoning is on the chunky side and really looks like savory sprinkles! Hot Plates + Land "Meats" Sea - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
If all these options intimidate you, just order the Chicken Teriyaki or Ribeye Medallions - you won't miss! Seafood Plateaux - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
Cocktails & Champagne - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
Wine List - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
Sakes - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
Raw on 5 Dessert MenuCoffee and Dessert Wines - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
Are cocktails at raw on 5 included in the beverage package?
Desserts - CELEBRITY RAW ON 5 MENU
Celebrity's Raw on 5 Review
After doing a deep dive into the menus, I am really impressed with the offerings at Raw on 5. I think Celebrity has done a great job sharing some dishes that adventurous foodie passengers would find exotic and unique while still providing a number of options for their less daring travel buddies! ;)
I'm looking forward to trying Raw on 5 on my next Celebrity Cruise.
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If you have never had a Mango Lassi before, what are you waiting for?! Lidl is carrying ready to drink Lassis in two flavors - Mango and Pineapple-Coconut. Shown above: Vitasia Indian Style Lassi Manga + Vitasia Indian Style Lassi Piña/Ananás & Coco Learn PortugueseMango in Portuguese is manga Pineapple in Portuguese is ananás or abacaxi. Piña is Spanish for pineapple lol. Coconut in Portuguese is Coco. |
Still, if you love Piña coladas you'll love the pineapple-coconut lassi too! The coconut flavor is prominent so you must love coconut to enjoy this beverage. Lassis are a yogurt based beverage popular in India so if you're feeling exotic why not swing by your local Lidl and see if you can still nab one of these delights?! |
COST: .99 EURO
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
WOULD YOU TRY a lassi?
DO YOU THINK THEY WERE A GOOD VALUE?
These lassi beverages were purchased at Lidl, a grocery store in Portugal. If you're looking for information on current Cost of Living in Portugal and opinions of Americans in Portugal, check out these posts:
Lidl Portuguese Grocery Reviews:
Before sailing on our favorite cruise ship yet, we found ourselves with a few days in Miami.
Miami isn't necessarily the cheapest city to eat in when you're on a shoestring budget so we made great use of TooGoodToGo and Happy Hour Menus to enjoy some of the culinary offerings without completely breaking the bank. Enter El Primo.
Miami isn't necessarily the cheapest city to eat in when you're on a shoestring budget so we made great use of TooGoodToGo and Happy Hour Menus to enjoy some of the culinary offerings without completely breaking the bank. Enter El Primo.
El Primo Red Tacos is located at 179 E Flagler St in Miami, Florida. A short walk from where we stayed at the Hyatt Regency.
Check out the Hyatt Regency Miami Review Here
The pick-up window was between 9:30 and 9:45 pm. The restaurant was clearly empty by that point and you can see they offer plenty of seating both inside and outside.
How much is a Margarita in Miami?
Well, at El Primo Red Tacos they are serving $6 margaritas and cerveza (beer) all day, every day!
Well, at El Primo Red Tacos they are serving $6 margaritas and cerveza (beer) all day, every day!
what we got.
We ordered 2x Surprise bags from El Primo Red Tacos at $5.99 each. Each container had 2 tacos, topped with cilantro and a fresh radish slice as well as some tortilla chips, salsa, and a lime wedge.
We were also surprised to receive agua de horchata x 2!
What we Thought.
It had been such a long time since we had tacos period, that I was so happy to eat these tacos! Even after carrying them back to the hotel they were still so tasty.
Small corn tortillas are my favorite and home made tortilla chips can't be beat! The tacos at El Primo Red Tacos are birria and the only problem that I had with them was I wanted more. lol
Small corn tortillas are my favorite and home made tortilla chips can't be beat! The tacos at El Primo Red Tacos are birria and the only problem that I had with them was I wanted more. lol
The Horchata was unbelievably tasty. Typically made with rice, flavored with cinnamon and sweetened with sugar, this horchata was refreshing and a nice balance to the savory tacos and spicy salsa. To pay $5.99 in Miami for 2 quality tacos, chips and salsa, and a drink was a great deal! I could have easily eaten more, but I was happy for the opportunity to try El Primo Red Tacos at a discount while in town and I wouldn't hesitate to return next time I'm in Miami! |
More Miami Food & Travel Blogs:
- Hyatt Regency Miami Review
- Meraki Greek Bistro Review - Miami Happy Hour
- A Family Review - Argentinean Delights in Miami
- Dumpling Mi Amore Review - Ramen and Dumplings in Miami
- Marabu Cuban Cuisine - Miami Happy Hour Review
- Raccoon Coffee & Kitchen Miami Food Truck Review
- Versaille Miami's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant Review
- Azucar - Little Havana's Best Ice Cream
- Miami Slice - Overrated?
- Free Public Transportation in Miami - Trolley, Metro Mover
More too Good To Go Reviews:
- Rei do Churrasco Review - Quarteira, Portugal
- Too Good To Go Portugal Review
- A Family Miami Too Good To Go Review
- Raccoon Coffee & Kitchen Miami TooGoodToGo Review
With so many outstanding dining options included in your cruise fare onboard Celebrity, you may be like me and wonder "Are the specialty dining options really worth the extra cost?"
It's a great question! In this article you will get to see what the dining experience is like at Le Grand Bistro onboard Celebrity's newest ship the Ascent. You'll learn how much it costs, what the ambiance is like, and our favorite dishes that we tried.
Allons-y! :)
It's a great question! In this article you will get to see what the dining experience is like at Le Grand Bistro onboard Celebrity's newest ship the Ascent. You'll learn how much it costs, what the ambiance is like, and our favorite dishes that we tried.
Allons-y! :)
Le Grand Bistro
If you're dreaming of visiting France but find yourself on a Celebrity cruise to the Caribbean, don't worry! The boulangerie-patisserie Le Grand Bistro on Ascent will definitely do in a pinch! ;)
And PS you can find plenty of Celebrity Cruises stopping in France ;D
Le Grand Bistro is located on Deck 4, midship, between its upscale French dining neighbor, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and the buzzing Craft Social Bar where you can enjoy beer flights and bar bites.
Whether you sit down to dine at dinner, enjoy a casual lunch, or prefer a demi baguette and a latte at breakfast - Le Grand Bistro has something for you to try!
Le Grand Bistro Menu on Ascent
Le Petit Chef Menu:
You have a few options if you're interested in dining at Le Grand Bistro.
The interactive dining experience Le Petite Chef can be reserved in the evenings for a fixed price. The Menu on Ascent was as follows:
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Le Grand Bistro Main Menu
On the other hand, if you're craving a morning croissant or an afternoon croque monsieur then the a la carte menu is for you!
In addition to always-available starters, soups, salads, entrees, sandwiches, charcuterie, and pastries you will find "Plats du Jour" (Dish of the day) If one of these French classic tickles your fancy you will want to time your visit accordingly each special dish is only available on a set day of the week. |
Le Grand Bistro Cocktail, wine, and beverage menu
Sip in style with French cocktails and wines or a hand crafted espresso-based beverage. Prices range from $4 for a single espresso to 25 for a glass of Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label Champagne.
Le Grand Bistro Dessert Menu
Le Grand Bistro To go Menu
Lunch Experience at Le Grand Bistro on Ascent
We decided to visit during lunch as we didn't want to miss dinner with our families in the main dining room. As the bistro was not especially crowded on the day of our visit, we chose to sit beside the window in order to enjoy the ocean views.
The meal started with our choice of bread and butter. In the main dining room you always receive a basket of assorted bread/rolls/etc and admittedly it did feel fancier to have the slices hand delivered at Le Grand Bistro.
The bread was really good and I wish the basket came back around during the meal without having to ask.
French Cocktails - $12 + $17
Steak Frites - $24
Lobster Bisque - $10
Lobster Bisque with Tarragon and Puff Pastry - Peeling back the cute little puff pastry beret (lol) to show you the soup inside!
By the way, have you ever wondered what the difference is between a soup and a bisque? I hadn't until just this very moment! In a nutshell, a bisque is a type of soup that has a thick, rick, creamy base and is traditionally made with some sort of shellfish. These days non-seafood creamy soups are also called bisques.
Take for example the following food math equation: tomato soup + cream = tomato bisque. Voila!
The perfect companion for soup is a salad, right? We did, but didn't, end up with 2 salads. You will understand by the end.
Take for example the following food math equation: tomato soup + cream = tomato bisque. Voila!
The perfect companion for soup is a salad, right? We did, but didn't, end up with 2 salads. You will understand by the end.
Baby Arugula Salad - $8
Big fan of arugula over here as well as the beauty of simple ingredients that are well prepared making the best of bites!
This baby arugula salad had toasted pine nuts, balsamic vinaigrette and 3 deep fried balls of goat cheese more elegantly known as croquettes. After procuring this glamour shot we got to wondering where the pork belly was... and the poached egg? |
Wait.. Was this even the salad we ordered. Oops. No it wasn't. Quickly the correct salad arrived.
Frisée Lardon Salad - $8
Featuring crispy pork belly, poached egg, pickled shallots and parmesan on curly endive, this salad was a treat. Perfectly poached, if you're team dippy-egg yoke then this picture will no doubt bring you joy.
The whimsical texture and freshness of curly endive played nicely with the salty, fatty pork belly and the bright yellow yoke of the poached egg added a pleasing pop of color and richness.
Crème Brûlée - $5
Caramelized vanilla egg custard with fresh berries.
Creme Brûlée is a quintessential French dessert much loved by cruise passengers. You may never order it out back home, but on a cruise you can usually indulge in several of these during your voyage.
Creme Brûlée is a quintessential French dessert much loved by cruise passengers. You may never order it out back home, but on a cruise you can usually indulge in several of these during your voyage.
We decided to try the creme brûlée at Le Grand Chef because we genuinely wanted to know if it was different than the "free" creme brûlée available in the main dining room.
To complete the experiment we ordered creme brûlée at dinner in the main dining room that night and we can confirm that YES, it is different! When you are paying extra you want to know you are getting a different product, a better quality, an advanced technique, a personal touch..
To complete the experiment we ordered creme brûlée at dinner in the main dining room that night and we can confirm that YES, it is different! When you are paying extra you want to know you are getting a different product, a better quality, an advanced technique, a personal touch..
Chocolate Chip Cookie - $3
I've never been to France and I have no concept of what a French-style chocolate chip cookie should be like. For context, I'm an American who loves a chocolate chip cookie that has that little bit of crunch on the outside, a super chewy inside and the deep toffee notes that only come from the labor of love that is known as browning butter.
When I ordered a $3 chocolate chip cookie I was envisioning a large bakery style cookie. I didn't expect it to be the cookie of my dreams, but I also didn't expect it to be this little fluffy nugget. lol
When I ordered a $3 chocolate chip cookie I was envisioning a large bakery style cookie. I didn't expect it to be the cookie of my dreams, but I also didn't expect it to be this little fluffy nugget. lol
This chocolate chip cookie was more on the cake-like side and it honestly wasn't my jam.
I was teetering on whether to order it or not but overhead a lady at the table next to me tell the waiter that they are the best chocolate chip cookies she has ever had and that she had been coming down to order one every day! That locked me in.
The fact that I didn't care for it just goes to show how everyone's tastes are different. There is no right or wrong when it comes to food, it's all preference. So take posts like this with a grain of salt. Read them through the lens of the preferences you know you have already.
If you know you love cake-like cookies then go for this chocolate chip cookie! If you're not a fan of cake-y cookies then skip it (unless you just want to see for yourself which is also cool) and try a more French-y option like a Madeleine or a cherry danish!
I was teetering on whether to order it or not but overhead a lady at the table next to me tell the waiter that they are the best chocolate chip cookies she has ever had and that she had been coming down to order one every day! That locked me in.
The fact that I didn't care for it just goes to show how everyone's tastes are different. There is no right or wrong when it comes to food, it's all preference. So take posts like this with a grain of salt. Read them through the lens of the preferences you know you have already.
If you know you love cake-like cookies then go for this chocolate chip cookie! If you're not a fan of cake-y cookies then skip it (unless you just want to see for yourself which is also cool) and try a more French-y option like a Madeleine or a cherry danish!
Mocha - $5
Espresso, fresh steamed milk, cocoa powder
Le Grand Bistro Ambience
Le Grand Bistro is very cute "inside" with a decorative piece constructed of French style baking dishes, pots and pans. The walk up counter where you can order pastries and fresh baked bread along with an espresso pulled from the copper espresso machine is a lovely concept along with the seating "outside" mimicking European al fresco dining.
It's important to note that just outside of le Grand Bistro is the Grand Plaza. Shown below is a view of the Martini Bar at night on the lower level of the Grand Plaza (deck 3)
Because various activities and music take place in the Grand plaza, during the day time when the doors of Le Grand Bistro are open, you lose a bit of the cute French bistro vibes. Consider checking the daily schedule and booking your reservation strategically.
I was surprised that during our visit there was no French music playing in the bistro. I would have really enjoyed that as well as having some of the shoji doors closed to block out the distracting lights and activity of the plaza and turn up the French charm. ;)
I was surprised that during our visit there was no French music playing in the bistro. I would have really enjoyed that as well as having some of the shoji doors closed to block out the distracting lights and activity of the plaza and turn up the French charm. ;)
LE Grand Bistro Review on Celebrity Ascent
Everything we ate at Le Grand Bistro was good, with the exception of the chocolate chip cookie that I found underwhelming based on my chocolate-chip-cookie-girl high standards.
We had steaks in the main dining room that rivaled the Steak Frites in Le Grand Bistro which is testimony to how good the food on Celebrity is. On the other hand, the salads and the lobster bisque were unique items we didn't see elsewhere during our cruise.
The Frisee Lardon Salad was excellent and unique. I would order that again next time I dine at Le Grand Bistro.
More Celebrity Ascent Reviews:
Tap a Celebrity Ascent Review Below:
See all of our Celebrity Ascent Reviews here
The baby arugula salad was taken away when we noted that we had been given the wrong salad and that was a bummer as we didn't get to try it to share our thoughts with you. I'm sure the waiter would have left it if we asked, but it happened so quickly that he shuttled it away in an effort to please us and bring the lardon salad asap.
The Lobster Bisque was very tasty. The puff pastry top and fancy bowl are always fun. I just wish there was a touch more bisque and that the lobster meat was more prominent.
Would you have ordered any of these dishes?
If you dine at Le Grand Bistro on your next Celebrity Cruise, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks to Celebrity for hosting this meal. All opinions are my own.
If you dine at Le Grand Bistro on your next Celebrity Cruise, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks to Celebrity for hosting this meal. All opinions are my own.
Ready to Book your next celebrity cruise?
Are you ready to book your next Celebrity Cruise?
Marissa Books Travel is ready to assist! :)
About this cruise:
On this 7 night Labadee & Cayman Cruise on Celebrity Ascent we sailed in an Infinite Verandah cabin. We visited the ports of Nassau, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, and Grand Cayman. Stops at Labadee were paused during this time period and exchanged for a Perfect Day visit.
Marissa Books Travel is ready to assist! :)
About this cruise:
On this 7 night Labadee & Cayman Cruise on Celebrity Ascent we sailed in an Infinite Verandah cabin. We visited the ports of Nassau, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, and Grand Cayman. Stops at Labadee were paused during this time period and exchanged for a Perfect Day visit.
Cantinho da Villa is a very local Portuguese restaurant in Texugueiras - inland from Albufeira, between Ferreiras and Paderne.
These local spots are just the best because they have classic Portuguese dishes, a lively buzz since everyone in the neighborhood stops by regularly, and you just feel part of the community when you're here.
These local spots are just the best because they have classic Portuguese dishes, a lively buzz since everyone in the neighborhood stops by regularly, and you just feel part of the community when you're here.
Portuguese Dish - Bitoque
This plate is a perfect rendition of a classic Portuguese dish - bitoque. You can have beef bitoque or pork bitoque and either way you're getting thin cuts of meat. When prepared properly they are very tender and flavorful.
As you can see the dish also comes with rice and French fries.
Why do Portuguese people eat rice and French fries in the same dish? you may ask. Isn't that double carbs? you add.
Well, yes it is. But why do they do it? I suppose because it's delicious! :)
The addition of a small, simple salad is common here - green lettuce, sliced onion and tomato, and sometimes cucumbers. Oil (Portuguese olive oil, of course) and vinegar are on the table if you need a dressing.
Please note the lovely pan sauce on this bitoque including whole roasted garlic cloves. This is the mark of a meal made with love.
And one of the most beautiful details of this dish is that perfectly fried egg (ovo estrelado) . It takes real skill to get the edges crispy and brown while maintaining a perfectly dippy yolk as shown here. That runny yolk will combine with the pan sauce and add richness to the plain rice. It's so good you'll use your french fries to mop up the leftovers. :)
Where to eat in Algarve:
The results are in.. 50 Top Pizza has released their list of best pizzas in the world and guess which pizzeria is representing Portugal on the list again?
who owns forno d'oro?
Forno d'oro is owned by Tanka Sapkota, who was born in Nepal and brought his passion for Neapolitan pizza to Lisbon. He trained under the Gombero Rosso Master Course and his wood-fired pizzas have ranked him in the top pizzas in the world list multiple times.
Above you can see just a few of the many prestigious awards Forno d'Oro (Golden Oven) has received for their delicious pizzas. They are receiving Fiori di Latte cheese fresh from Italy multiple times per week!
Where did forno d'oro rank in the 2024 top pizza in the world list?
Forno d Oro is the ONLY pizzeria in Portugal to rank on the top pizza in the world list, so it's quite an accomplishment! For 2024 they ranked 73rd in the world and the 12th best pizzeria in Europe.
Parabéns! (congratulations in Portuguese)
Parabéns! (congratulations in Portuguese)
What we ordered.
Are you hungry yet? Let's try a few of the best pizzas in Lisbon together!
Diavola - €13.25
Where to stay in Lisbon:
4 Formaggi - €13.95
San Marzano tomatoes DOP, fior di latte, Gorgonzola, smoked Provola cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP 24 mesi.
We were with some dear friends who were moving away and we all decided that in order to mark the occasion properly there was another pizza we just had to try and we could only do it if we worked together as a team lol.
Burrata, prosciutto e Rucola - €15.50
This pizza was so unbelievably delicious and a perfect example of how it takes just a few high quality ingredients to make a dish really shine!
Light and fresh yet highly engaging - we were surprised that this was our favorite pizza of the night! Good thing we ordered it at the last second, right?! ;)
It may even top the fig, prosciutto, and gorgonzola pizza.
We'll probably have to visit another time to know for sure, though. ;)
It may even top the fig, prosciutto, and gorgonzola pizza.
We'll probably have to visit another time to know for sure, though. ;)
Gordon FInest Scotch Ale, Scotland - €8.95
And what's a visit to one of the top pizzerias in the world without trying a new brew?
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale Review
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale - Strong and smooth dark beer flavored with malt whiskey. 8,0% - 33cl
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale Review
Gordon Finest Scotch Ale - Strong and smooth dark beer flavored with malt whiskey. 8,0% - 33cl
"Born in Scotland, Crafted in Belgium"
For those interested in the ingredients and bottling details of Gordon Scotch Ale, see the photos below!
For those interested in the ingredients and bottling details of Gordon Scotch Ale, see the photos below!
Panna Cotta ai Frutti di Bosco - €4.95
At the end of your meal at Forno d'Oro you always have the opportunity to enjoy the parting hospitality of limoncello or grappa. If you've never tried grappa (it's potent), maybe you should give it a try. After that you'll almost certainly always pick limoncello! haha :)
English Menu - forno d' oro pizzeria
Curious what the prices are like at a top pizza place in Lisbon? Here is a recent menu. You can find English descriptions beneath each menu item.
Couvert/Antipasti (appetizers) and Pizze (Pizza) Menu
Pizze (Pizza) Menu
Seasonal Pizza Menu
Pasta & Dessert (Dolci) Menu
Southern Caribbean Cruise
- See all Southern Caribbean Cruise Reviews
Wine Menu
Craft Beer Menu
Gin Menu
Forno d'Oro Review
We love Forno d'Oro! When you have such a great experience at a restaurant the first time that you want to bring your friends who are also pizza lovers you know it's the real deal.
Still, there is a smidge of apprehension that a second visit to a place won't be as good as the first, you know what I mean?
As you can tell from our photo review, forno d'oro is living up to our expectations and we won't hesitate to come back and bring more friends the next time we are in Lisbon!
Highly recommend you stop in for some amazing Neapolitan pizza in Lisbon!
Still, there is a smidge of apprehension that a second visit to a place won't be as good as the first, you know what I mean?
As you can tell from our photo review, forno d'oro is living up to our expectations and we won't hesitate to come back and bring more friends the next time we are in Lisbon!
Highly recommend you stop in for some amazing Neapolitan pizza in Lisbon!
Best Places To eat in Lisbon:
- Bandalho Meat and Wine - Burgers, Sangria, and one of the fudgiest brownies in Portugal
- Bubble Time Expo Review - Bubble tea & Bubble Waffles on the Riverfront
- Han Table Korean BBQ Review - Grill at the table with your friends!
- Where to get unlimited sushi in Lisbon - Sushi Fixe in Miraflores Review
A day at sea on a cruise ship is a welcome reprieve from the bustle of daily life and the potentially hectic nature of embarkation day.
Here's how we spent our first sea day on Symphony of the Seas. |
Late breakfast in the main dining room
Like sleeping in? No problem! On a sea day you can enjoy a leisurely late breakfast in the main dining room if you'd like. Rather than the busy buffet, you can order off a menu and have the full traditional dining experience in main dining room.
Fresh fruit.
You can pretty much always order a fresh fruit plate at any meal, even if you don't see it on the menu. ;) The fruit varieties will vary based on what is available, but we started off colorfully here with a lovely mix of pineapple, cantaloupe, red grapes, strawberries and kiwi!
Cinnamon Swirl Danish.
Much like the bread basket served at dinner in the main dining room, at breakfast time there are offerings of a variety of danishes and breakfast pastries. Our personal favorite was this cinnamon swirl danish. It's almost a puff pastry cinnamon roll. Ask for it specifically if you don't see it! ;)
Portugal Travel tip: There is a similar pastry in Portugal that we sometimes see in the bakery section of the grocery store called Continente. If you see it, give it a try!
Symphony of the Seas ReviewS:
French toast.
Two slices of thick-cut brioche dipped in Royal Caribbean's signature batter and cooked until golden brown. Served with berries, whipped cream, and maple syrup. You can also add sides like bacon, sausage, sautéed mushrooms, cheddar cheese grits, hash brown potatoes, corned beef hash, or a fruit cup to your breakfast order!
Brunch on symphony
We were able to order more breakfast-y foods (as mentioned above) and more lunch-y foods, so Royal Caribbean really offers a nice, free brunch in their main dining room. This is great if some in your party like to eat "real food" (like a steak, lol) while others want pancakes and French toast.
Iceberg wedge salad.
Chilled iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, crispy bacon and chives drizzled with blue cheese dressing.
Steak frites.
Grilled sirloin topped with creamy béarnaise sauce and served with crispy truffle fries.
Alert! This was one of the best things I ate on Symphony of the Seas!
We'll always laugh about the moment when the waiter brought a second steak to our table because someone ordered the dish thinking they were ordering "steak FRIES". Whoops! :)
coconut cake with raspberry sauce.
Despite being recommended by waiters on Royal Caribbean and Princess, I have yet to have a coconut cake with raspberry sauce on a cruise that was noteworthy.
Cruise Ports:
Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port:
Boardwalk Neighborhood on Symphony of the Seas
Day two on a cruise is a continuation of the exploration that began on embarkation day. Let's check out the Boardwalk Neighborhood - an iconic feature of Oasis Class Ships.
Boardwalk Dog House
The Boardwalk Dog House is a free dining option on Symphony of the Seas which specializes in, you guessed it, crafted hot dogs!
Boardwalk Dog House sample Menu.
At the Dog House you can order things like:
You can add toppings like sautéed mixed peppers, sautéed onions, and sauerkraut along with classic condiments - ketchup, mustard, and relish. Consider adding a side of Potato Salad or Cole slaw to round it out. Which ships have Dog House?
Find Dog House on the following ships:
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Arcade & Sugar beach sweet shop
As you stroll down the Boardwalk on deck 6 of Symphony, you'll find arcade games and Sugar Beach.
What is Sugar Beach?
Sugar Beach is the name of the sweet shop on Symphony of the Seas. You have to pay extra to play the arcade games or indulge in the rainbow walls of candy at Sugar Beach. These activities are not included in your cruise fare.
Boardwalk Carousel
On the other hand, the carousel (aka merry-go-round) on Symphony of the Seas is totally free and fun for all ages! It's pretty cool there is a merry-go-round on a cruise ship. The horses are hand carved and as you enter the Boardwalk Neighborhood you will see a series of carousel horses in varying stages of completion leading up to the merry-go-round. Love seeing a bit of the creative process behind this classic amusement park ride. |
what is a boardwalk balcony?
There is a unique and controversial balcony type on some of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships called a "Boardwalk Balcony". These balcony cabins are not on the exterior of the ship, facing the ocean. Instead, they actually face inside the ship and overlook the Boardwalk Neighborhood.
The balconies you see in the picture above are the boardwalk balconies. A Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom Cabin Review is on the horizon, so stay tuned. ;)
The balconies you see in the picture above are the boardwalk balconies. A Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom Cabin Review is on the horizon, so stay tuned. ;)
Can you see the ocean from a boardwalk balcony?
Some Boardwalk Balcony rooms do have a view of the ocean from their balcony. Real Pictures of the views from cabins 10272 and 12329 are coming soon to help you pick the best boardwalk balcony room for your cruise!
Royal Caribbean Cruise Blogs:
Aqua Theater on symphony
The aqua theater is found at the aft of the ship (back) and is a unique feature of Royal Caribbean's Entertainment. Shows in the aqua theater are full of impressive feats including high dives and acrobatics.
Symphony of the Seas Tip: If you sit in the front rows of the aqua theater, beware as you will likely get splashed. :)
If you have stacks of cash, consider booking an AquaTheater Suite. In your spacious suite with wrap around balcony, you can enjoy rear ocean views and never fight for a seat at the aqua shows!
In this panoramic picture you can see the rear ocean views, the Aqua Theater & Suites, the large screens (which, by the way, sometimes play sporting events) as well as the two rock climbing walls and the Ultimate Abyss Slide.
The Ultimate AByss
The Ultimate Abyss is a giant dry slide (as in a normal slide, not a water slide) which drops 10 stories! It's faster than the elevators ;)
You get in a special mat to go down the slide which helps ensure a smooth sliding experience. It's really fun and I recommend doing it at least once for street-cred, if you know what I mean. :p
The Ultimate Abyss slide is free. The rock climbing walls are also a free activity on Symphony of the Seas!
Packing Tip: Pack lace up tennis shoes/trainers if you want to participate in the rock wall or zip line. Shoes must have laces in order to participate. If you have slide on sneakers you won't be permitted. It's for the safety of those below - no one wants to get hit by your shoe if it somehow slipped off.
secret loungers on symphony
If you climb the stairs near the rock climbing walls in the Boardwalk Neighborhood, you have a chance of finding a secluded little area with just a few chairs to relax in and watch the clouds roll by.
All this exploring of the Boardwalk on deck 6 worked up an appetite and we hadn't yet visited the pizzeria onboard so we popped down to deck 5 to remedy that!
Sorrento's Pizzeria
You will not need a dining package to eat at Sorrento's as it is not a specialty dining restaurant. Sorrento's Pizzeria is a free restaurant on Symphony of the Seas!
Sorrento's Pizzeria is casual, free cruise ship pizza. Is it the best pizza at sea? We can't say because we haven't tried them all.. yet ;) But is it a solid pizza? For sure. When you want a quick slice, Sorrento's is the spot. They are also the free food venue that is pretty much always open, so if you wake up at 2am and somehow you are hungry, you can count on Sorrento's.
Once the buffet (The Wind Jammer) is closed, Sorrento's is a reliable place to hydrate as they have a water station set up. Of course you can also ask for water at any bar as well.
Sorrento's pizza royal caribbean photo review
Sorrento's pizza offers a solid, thin crust pizza on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships. The menu for Sorrento's changes daily but you can pretty much always get a classic cheese or pepperoni pizza, as well as a vegetarian option and gluten free pizzas on request!
If you so desire you can add a sprinkle of oregano and red pepper. You can dine in at Sorrento's and be part of the Royal Promenade atmosphere, or take your slices somewhere with a view, like we did. :)
Free zipline on symphony of the seas
Can you see yourself in this picture? On the right side, just about to land after finishing this zipline on a cruise ship!? You can do it and it's totally free! Just remember to pack your lace-up shoes.
I love this vantage point from the pool deck (deck 15) looking toward the back of the ship and down on part of the Boardwalk Neighborhood.
Above you see the 8 or so decks worth of Boardwalk Balcony Rooms. Notice the view of the ocean at the back of the ship and the way these balcony rooms get some fresh air and natural light even though they are facing the inside of the ship.
The Ultimate Abyss' purple slides end on the Boardwalk (deck 6) and right at the Johnny Rockets restaurant in case you want a milkshake. :)
The Ultimate Abyss' purple slides end on the Boardwalk (deck 6) and right at the Johnny Rockets restaurant in case you want a milkshake. :)
Mini Golf on Symphony of the seas
On the other end of deck 15 is a Mini Golf course which is also free, of course! We came back another day to play a round, but as you can see it's very cute with lots of little themed elements for taking classic family vacation mini golf pics.
Flow Rider & Ultimate Abyss
It was about time to get ready for dinner, but we decided to just run up to deck 16 real quick to see where the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss slide was and get the low-down on the flow rider.
Would you climb in the mouth of this giant angler fish and slide down 10 stories?!
FlowRider Instructions and Warnings
The flow rider is a surf simulator that you can enjoy for free on Symphony of the Seas. Unlike some other Royal Caribbeans which have just one flowrider, Symphony actually has two. This is great because those who are ready to truly surf can enjoy dedicated time while others who are new or just want to bodyboard can have a blast on the other.
In addition to these boards, you do have to do a short training and sign a waiver to use the flow rider. You will be given a wristband which indicates you have completed these steps and if you are qualified for bodyboarding only or for flow-boarding (stand up like surfing)
Dinner in the main dining room
Crispy Buttermilk Calamari.
Golden fried squid rings served with a fresh fennel salad and chipotle-lime aioli.
Also shown is another shot of the cheesy dinner roll, but mainly because this Echte Boter (butter) was so delicious! Since cruise ships are sailing all over the world and sourcing food in each port, you do get to try some unique varieties of ordinary things - butter included!
Seafood Linguine.
Al dente ribbon pasta tossed with a Chardonnay cream sauce, sautéed bay scallops, shrimp, and mussels.
Roasted Beef Tenderloin.
Roasted and carved with creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a rich peppercorn sauce.
Creme Brulee.
Smooth, rich vanilla custard topped with a crackly caramelized sugar topping. A Royal classic.
Capuccino Chocolate Cake.
Rich chocolate sponge cake layered with chocolate ganache, topped with a whipped coffee and sweet cream foam dusted with Dutch cocoa. No sugar added dessert.
Individual Mini Salad Cups
Just loved the presentation of these little salad cups in the Wind Jammer Buffet. Great idea for dinner party salad appetizers inspired by travel.
This brings us to the end of our Sea Day on Symphony. We actually have another sea day ahead before stopping in beautiful Aruba.
In the words of Gordon Ramsay "Wow. Wow. Wow."
If you love a hoagie, give Laspada's Original Hoagies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida a try!
If you love a hoagie, give Laspada's Original Hoagies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida a try!
Located just a half mile (aka a pleasant 10-15 minute stroll) from our cruise port hotel, Laspada's made up for the disappointing pizza we had the night before. Their first hoagie shop opened in 1972 and has expanded to 5 locations in Southern Florida, Laspada's is worth your visit as far as we are concerned! |
Laspadas - A local hoagie shop in south florida
Loved by travelers and locals alike, this is a classic hoagie shop where you are welcome to dine in or take out. Located at 1495-D SE 17th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33431.
Laspada's Hoagie Menu with prices
In addition to small and large hoagies you can also order deli sandwiches which are smaller and served on a round roll, as well as a variety of side salads and salad platters.
What's on an original hoagie at Laspadas? Tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, sweet peppers, hot peppers, oil and vinegar and seasonings on Italian or wheat bread, and provolone cheese. Sounds perfect, doesn't it?
Laspada's also sells a variety of chips which are an ideal crunchy, salty companion to your delicious hoagie!
what we ordered.
For the two of us, we ordered one large hoagie, a can of pop (soda), and a bag of kettle chips.
Total with tax: $17.50
Dr Brown's Natural Flavor Black Cherry Soda - $1.75
Dr Browns Black Cherry Soda With "Other Natural Flavors" Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, cherry and other natural flavors, citric acid, caramel color, sodium benzoate, and red 40. Gah. not red 40...
Dirty Potato Chips Deli Style Salt and Vinegar Kettle style - $1.70
If you want to see the ingredients on these Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips from Dirty you can see the photo below!
LArge 12" Italian Hoagie - $12.90
Now on to the star of the show! We ordered a Large 12" Italian Special Hoagie - Ham, Genoa, Salami, & Cappicola.
This hoagie was loaded! The cross section is a thing of beauty - carefully constructed, strategically placed layers of freshly sliced Italian meats and toppings.
Laspada's Hoagies Review
A hoagie may seem like a simple thing. Some bread, "lunch meat" and cheese, maybe a bit of iceberg and a tomato? Forget that nonsense. A real hoagie establishment takes pride in every element from the texture at the bottom of the roll to the pillowy bread to the sliced-to-order Italian meats and fresh toppings - Laspada's knocks it out of the park.
I mean just look at the care going into dressing and seasoning this hoagie...
It's been months since I ate this hoagie, but I still think about it from time to time. Laspada's is the kind of place I would actually make a point to return to next time I am in Fort Lauderdale for a cruise. ;)
Fort Lauderdale Blog.
Spice lovers rejoice! Flavorful Indian food in Portugal is widely accessible!
Let's visit Natraj Indian Tandoori Restaurant in Vilamoura.
Let's visit Natraj Indian Tandoori Restaurant in Vilamoura.
What we ordered.
Papadam + Chutneys
Papadam (think of a big cracker in the shape of pizza dough only lighter and crispier), along with small dips are basically the Indian version of bread and butter or oil at the table before your meal. Typically you will have some sort of sweet chutney, a spicy one, and a cooling mint-yogurt variation.
Samosas
A Samosa is a deep fried dough parcel stuffed with a well-spiced mixture of vegetables or meat. In this case we opted for one chicken samosa and one vegetarian samosa. Often the vegetable samosas are more flavorful than their meat-filled counterparts!
Chicken tikka masala
Much like ordering a Margherita Pizza at every new pizza place we try, we always order chicken tikka masala at every new Indian restaurant we try. This was the first time we ever saw such a red sauce!
An Indian flat bread like this garlic and herbed naan is also a must for scooping up tender chicken chunks and mopping up the sauce!
Desserts
For dessert we tried Galub Jamun (indian donuts soaked in sugar syrup - super sweet) and Pistachio Kulfi (a cold dessert flavored with pistachio).
We had also ordered a mango lassi which is a delicious beverage consisting of mango blended with yogurt. I always order a mango lassi at Indian restaurants because the sweet creamy nature of the drink is ideal with the spicy food!