Fine Dining

CULINARY DELIGHTS

From the Simple Pleasures of Afternoon Tea to International

Cuisine from Celebrity Restaurateurs

Creativity, innovation, ambiance, and gracious anticipatory service are the principles behind Crystal’s extraordinary culinary philosophy. Choices are the key elements of the Crystal dining experience, rich in menus and venues. Elaborate, selection-filled menus range from the traditionally classic to the eclectic cuisine of the ships’ international ports of call. The wide variety of restaurants offers guests a choice of gastronomic styles and ambiance, and whether guests are dining in-stateroom or at any of the elegant restaurants, they are served by a friendly staff that is world-traveled and trained in the best traditions of European service. Crystal Cruises provides seamless Six-Star service throughout every part of the culinary experience.

The classic dining experience, with two seatings each evening, is further personalized by European-trained wait staff that is familiar with a guest’s every preference, whether it is for sparkling or still water or on the exact degree of preparation of a filet mignon.

Available for every meal are selections from the impressive wine cellars – offering a list with over 230 wines and as many as 20,000 bottles. A new “Reserve Wine List” offers such rare vintages as 1959 Château Lafite Rothschild or 1971 Château Petrus. In addition to the great wines of California, Italy, and France, choices include excellent selections from Austria, Chile, Spain, and Australia.

Building on its reputation for excellence and innovation in the culinary arts, Crystal Cruises has also created its own proprietary label called C Wines, featuring six appellations including three reserve and three premium selections of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot.

As a complement to the classically elegant Crystal Dining Room, both ships feature dinner specialty restaurants: Prego, Silk Road, and The Sushi Bar. Complimentary to guests on a reservation-only basis, all have a unique décor and ambiance.

No shipboard experience would be complete without the many opportunities to enjoy a snack before lunch, dinner or bedtime. In keeping with this time-honored tradition,

Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity offer many exceptional dining venues for casual meals, snacks and afternoon tea.

Fleetwide Dining Venues

Crystal Dining Room

Warmly decorated with rich wood paneling, brass railing, crystal chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the grand Crystal Dining Room is one of the most elegant dining facilities at sea. Sophisticated décor is enhanced by the finest of tabletop appointments, including Schott Zwiesel crystal, Villeroy & Boch china, Sambonet and Elkington silver, and Frette or Garnier linens.

Innovative menus boast a variety of international specialties, special dietary meals, regionally inspired dishes based on the itinerary, and tableside preparation of such classics as Caesar Salad, Chateaubriand and Crepes Suzette. Guests will also enjoy caviar and fresh fish, including lobster and salmon, as well as a comprehensive selection of international wines and champagnes chosen from the most extensive wine cellars at sea. Remarkably, the Crystal Dining Room never repeats a menu, even during the three-and-a-half month long World Cruises.

The Lido Café

For casual meals, this indoor/outdoor venue features elaborate breakfast buffets with exotic fruit, fresh-baked breads and pastries, as well as made-to-order regular and egg white omelets, waffles, and pancakes; luncheon buffets include custom-made pastas and salads, a delicious selection of soups, carved meats, fresh fish, and sumptuous desserts, including sugar-free options.

Trident Bar & Grill

This ultimate grill with a full bar serves the Late-Risers Breakfast from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. and tasty poolside fare including grilled hot dogs, made-to-order hamburgers, veggie and chicken burgers, tuna melts, two different wrap sandwiches each day, and gourmet pizzas. On select evenings, the Trident Grill serves casual dinners with specialties such as iced shrimp or sun-ripened tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, soup and Caesar or Cobb salad, Tandoori beef or chicken, grilled prawns on lemongrass, and low-carb choices such as Grilled Shrimp Caesar and cheesecake.

Trident Ice Cream Bar

For sweets on demand, the Trident Ice Cream Bar (called Scoops on Crystal Serenity) offers ice cream served in freshly-made waffle cones, mouth-watering fudge brownies, cookies, ice-cream sundaes, sherbets, sugar-free ice cream and nonfat frozen yogurt with fresh berries and other toppings. During the course of a cruise, 30 different ice creams (including low-carb), 24 homemade sherbets, and approximately 20 nonfat yogurts are offered.

The Bistro

Distinctive to Crystal Cruises is the centrally located and highly popular European-inspired café, which is open all day. In the morning, guests can enjoy fresh croissants and breakfast pastries served on The Bistro’s exclusive porcelain created by celebrated artist Guy Buffet. During the afternoon, guests can sip exotic coffee drinks or premium wines by the glass and savor rich pâtés, international cheeses, and freshly baked desserts.

Palm Court

At the daily afternoon teatimes, delicious savories and sweets are accompanied by Mighty Leaf teas, the world’s finest whole leaf tea that is served in special silk pouches. The charming sunlit Palm Court, with its expansive picture windows, lush greenery, comfortable rattan furnishings, and soothing classical music, provides the perfect backdrop for this favored afternoon ritual. Not to be missed are the themed specialty teas, including the Mozart Tea, a visit to 18th century Vienna with tea and Austrian pastries served by staff dressed in velvets and brocades, and an English Colonial Tea with scones served with whipped cream and jams, finger sandwiches and other sweets.

In-Stateroom Dining

The mark of any true luxury experience is service. In keeping with Crystal Cruises’ commitment to providing the highest possible level of service, the line offers complimentary 24-hour in-stateroom dining to accommodate any guest at any time. At sea or in port, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in their rooms or on their private verandahs, served with the same precision and attention to detail found in the dining venues. During lunch and dinner hours, guests may order their in-stateroom meals from the Crystal Dining Room, served course by course, if so desired. Penthouse guests enjoy the additional privilege of having in-stateroom dining available from the ship’s specialty restaurants during dinner hours.

Specialty Restaurants

Prego

Charming and romantic, Prego brings the flavors of Italy to Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The intimate European restaurant features classic Italian dishes such as:

* Scaloppine Di Vitello Servite Con Capelli D’angelo: Sautéed Veal Scaloppine in Light Lemon or Mushroom Sauce served with Angel Hair Pasta and Seasonal Vegetables
* Linguine Con Aragosta E Zucchini: Linguine with Lobster and Grilled Zucchini in a Light Tomato Sauce Flavored with Italian Parsley
* Gamberoni Marinati Alla Griglia: Grilled Marinated Prawns served with Capellini tossed in Eggplant, Zucchini, and Lemon Flavored Tomato Sauce

The tantalizing selection of desserts includes a creamy Amaretto Mousse and the decadent Tiramisu.

A seasonally changing Valentino at Prego menu features signature dishes and wines that are served at Piero Selvaggio’s revered Los Angeles and Las Vegas restaurants, Valentino. Valentino is considered by many to be among the finest Italian restaurants in the country. Selvaggio’s innovative new food concept, “The Best Young Chefs of Italy,” taps future culinary stars such as Ciccio Sultano of Sicily’s II Duomo Restaurant and Walter Ferreto of Cascinalenuovo in The Piedmont, who come aboard to train Crystal’s chefs on their regionally inspired menus that are presented at Prego.

Silk Road & The Sushi Bar

Silk Road restaurant features the eclectic cuisine of famed master chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa with dishes prepared by Nobu-trained chefs. Matsuhisa redefined sushi with an innovative blending of classically styled Japanese foods with distinct Peruvian and European influences. He guided The Sushi Bar’s intimate design and unveiled his own line of fine china in The Sushi Bar and Silk Road during the ship’s inaugural season. While The Sushi Bar offers an assortment of Nobu’s signature sushi and sashimi, including Salmon Tartar with Sevruga Caviar, Tiradito Nobu-style, and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Silk Road presents more than two dozen of Nobu’s signature appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts. Entrée selections include such treats as:

* Nobu Style Lobster With Truffle-Yuzu Sauce: Stir Fried Lobster with Garlic, Asparagus, Shiitake, Snap Peas finished with Nobu Style Truffle-Yuzu Sauce
* Black Cod With Miso: Nobu Style Saikyo Miso Marinated and Broiled Black Cod with Lemon and Hajikami
* Grilled Wagyu Beef Rib-Eye: Steak grilled to perfection with a choice of Anticuccho or Nobu Style Wasabi Pepper Sauce

The signature dessert is a Bento Box filled with Chocolate Soufflé Cake with Shiso Syrup and Sesame Ice Cream.

Tastes

On Crystal Serenity, a poolside open-kitchen aft of the Trident Bar & Grill takes casual evening dining to the next level with sophisticated international food. Homemade soups are made daily, accompanying such starters as Barbecued Duck Quesadilla, Stir-Fry Hokkien Noodles, and Pizza di Margherita. Main courses include a Tower of Crab Cake and Sweet Corn Pancake or Grilled Black Angus Filet Steak with a choice of side orders such as Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Vegetables Slow-Roasted in Olive Oil. A selection of premium wines is available by the glass or by the bottle.

The Vintage Room

This elegant venue on Crystal Serenity, and Crystal Symphony, hosts the ultimate experience for wine enthusiasts with intimate wine-makers dinners for four to 14 people (nightly by reservation), offering a tasting menu created to complement rare vintages and wine regions of the world. The dinners are offered several times each cruise for approximately $180+ per person, depending on the wines chosen.

In 2007, Crystal introduced its Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner, a one-of-a-kind luxury dining experience featuring some of the rarest wines in the world. The first eight-course French dinner was prepared by Master Chef André Soltner, former chef/owner of world-famous Lutèce, paired with, among others, a nearly impossible-to-get 1959 Château Lafite – Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux and a Screaming Eagle 1996 from Napa Valley, considered its dream year. The Ultimate Vintage Room Dinners are held a few times per year on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, and are priced at $1,000 per person.

“These dinners draw upon the rich tradition of wine makers to gather and showcase their most treasured vintage – where the wine is in the spotlight and the cuisine is the complement – in an intimate venue exclusive to friends and esteemed customers,” says Toni Neumeister, Crystal’s vice president, food and beverage operations.

Distinctive Culinary Programs

Crystal Wine & Food Festival

For guests wanting to mingle with the world’s epicurean elite, Crystal Cruises offers its highly acclaimed Crystal Wine & Food Festival on numerous sailings to various destinations throughout each season. These itineraries bring together world celebrity guest chefs such as Suzanne Goin, Sam Choy (Diamond Head Restaurant, Hawaii), Brooke Vosika (Four Seasons Hotel, New York), and Anton Mosimann (Chateau Mosimann-Private Dining Club, London), wine experts including David Stevens (Stevens Garnier Ltd. and Grape Ideas), Philip di Belardino (Banfi Vinters), and Jann Cotter (Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates), and master sommeliers Andrea Fulton (Justin Winery, Paso Robles) and David Gordon (Tribeca Grill, New York) for demonstrations, wine-tastings, and a five-course dinner paired with wines chosen by the visiting expert. Enhancing the artistry of the celebrity chef’s cooking demonstrations and guest chef dinners, knowledgeable wine experts and master sommeliers lead guests through complimentary tastings of vintages and varietals carefully selected from the most extensive wine cellar at sea. Guests on Crystal Wine & Food Festival cruises learn to pair wine with different kinds of foods and learn the history of the wines and regions where Crystal sails.

On the Lighter Side

For today’s health-conscious travelers, Crystal Cruises offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with selections that are low in salt, fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Designed to cater to a variety of dietary needs, including diabetic and gluten-free, the emphasis is on beautifully-presented, fresh, flavorful, and satisfying meals. Highlights of the lighter fare meals include fresh Basil Pasta with Sautéed East Coast Scallops and Prawns in a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce. A luscious Alaskan cranberry tart is among the dessert temptations high in flavor yet low in fat and sugar. Elaborate menus on each ship also include a section with savory vegetarian appetizers and entrées.

Light and Healthy, Low-Carb and Trans Fat Free

For breakfast, lunch, and dinner all dining venues including the Crystal Dining Room, specialty restaurants, Trident Bar & Grill, Lido Café and Tastes feature a three-course, low-carbohydrate menu. In 2007, Crystal Cruises became the first cruise line to implement trans-fat-free dining. This addition to the already numerous dining choices was launched in response to the diet trend that has become a standard requirement for many of Crystal’s guests. Deliciously healthy dinner options include:

* Prego’s Plum Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese with Balsamic Tossed Mixed Greens, Sautéed Veal Scaloppini on Low-Carb Spaghetti with Broccoli and Lemon Sauce, and Decaffeinated Coffee Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries
* Silk Road’s Tuna Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing, Sautéed Chicken Breast with Balsamic-Teriyaki Sauce on Stir Fried Vegetables, and a Trio of Crème Brûlées
* Crystal Dining Room’s Tartar of Smoked Salmon with Dill Cucumbers, Porcini Dusted Filet Mignon with Grilled Asparagus, Cauliflower and Mustard Hollandaise, and Flourless Cheese Cake with Sugar-Free Strawberry Sauce
* Tastes Deconstructed Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad, Lemon and Pesto Rubbed Rotisserie Chicken Half with Pan Gravy and Vegetable Fried Rice, and an Egg-Free Cheesecake with Sugar-Free Strawberry Sauce and Low-Carb Vanilla Ice Cream

Themed Buffet Luncheons

Crystal Cruises is committed to creating the industry’s most lavish, one-of-a-kind theme parties on the expansive decks of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. With some of the most exotic and cultural destinations in the world as a backdrop, lavishly arranged luncheon buffets take place on select at-sea days, served by wait staff garbed in traditional clothing representative of the culinary topic. While themes may vary depending on the itinerary, some examples include the American Classic buffet that honors the best of North American food or the Cuisines of the Sun that hails the culinary excellence of the Mediterranean. A Nuevo Latino theme celebrates the fiery gastronomy of South America, whereas the diversity of the Pacific Rim fare is showcased at the Asian Café.

Kosher-Style Dining

Crystal Cruises has gone to great lengths to offer kosher-prepared cuisine to guests when requested at least 90 days before sailing. A wide choice of pre-packaged kosher-certified meals; including meats, seafood, and poultry as well as white and red kosher wines, is available on every itinerary. All chefs and kitchen and dining staff have been trained in kosher food preparation, handling, and serving. Only kosher pots, pans, and utensils are used, and plates, silverware, and glassware are washed separately.

Credit to Crystal Cruises for information on this page.