It was like a Dream….

A while back (in the last Margarita of the Month post) I mentioned to you that Miss Bonnie and I would be taking an excursion on the Disney Dream…

And yes, we took an (all-too-brief-but-incredibly-fun) three-day cruise along with 41 of our nearest-and-dearest (including her Parental Units, the Offspring, and The Harem, among others).

So I thought I’d share with you a (mostly) photo essay of the dishes served at the sit-down dining venues on that beautiful ship… so let’s eat, shall we?

Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes

Animator’s Palette was the first stop on our dining rotation.

Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes

The “appetiser-of-choice” that evening was actually one of the best things we had all cruise. Described on the menu as  “Pasta Purses filled with Truffle-scented Cheese and coated with a delicate Champagne Sauce”, one of our party claimed it was the best thing she had ever eaten in her life!

Smoked Salmon Tartare

Tomato Tarte with Glazed Goat Cheese and Radish Salad

Sliced Serrano Ham
 with Tomato Bread and Spanish Olives

The “Big Money” entree here was the Asian-inspired beef tenderloin…

Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin

it was served on wasabi mashed potatoes with bok choy, carrots and a tamarind-barbecue reduction.

Seared Red Snapper with Scallops, Crushed New Potatoes and Salsa Verde

Of course there were other entrees, and if you (like Miss Bonnie’s Youngest Offspring) wanted just a big-honking plate of meat with fries, all you had to do was ask!

Herb Crusted Veal Chop, Grilled Sirloin, Steak Fries and Veggies (which I’m pretty sure went untouched)

I did take a bite of the veal chop, and wish I’d ordered that! It was incredible!

And let’s not forget sweets…

Hummm… wonder why this dessert showed up on our table?

And on the subject of sweets, even though they don’t appear on any menu, you can always order a Mickey Bar…

or twelve…

Cheers!

Our day two dinner venue was Enchanted Garden…

Chickpea-garlic puree (served alongside the bread service)

North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli with Roasted Garlic and Sweet Basil in a light Tomato Broth

Apps were great here…

Thyme and Garlic Brioche filled with Chanterelle, Hedgehog and Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Leek Stew in a light Buttermilk Cream

Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower with Crispy Noodles and Wasabi Dressing

and Dedicated Readers know I’m a Big Fan of raw-chopped-tuna-with-other-stuff-mixed-in, and the Tuna and Avocado Tower appetizer was a hit with me…

Romaine Wedge Salad

The main course offerings weren’t slouches either…

Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Caramelized Sea Scallops

Prime Rib

but the Big Winner Dish was the sea bass…

Pan-seared Sea Bass with Saffron and Fennel Risotto with a Sweet Chili Glaze

it was perhaps Bonnie’s favorite dish of the entire cruise.

And yes, there were sweets to end the night here too…

Even though this was Pirate Night on the ship, as it was only a three day cruise the standard menu was being served as opposed to the special Pirate Night fare offered on four-night (and longer) voyages.

Royal Palace was the location for our final meal on an all-too-short cruise. Our large party took up the central table smack dab in the middle of the beautiful restaurant – the night before the head waiter had promised us the “best seats in the house” and he delivered!

Escargots Gratinés

A big-ol plate of garlicky snails is one of the popular starters here.

Escargots Gratinés – Herb-marinated Snails with Finely Chopped Mushrooms, topped with Garlic Butter and Breadstick

Pomegranate Glazed Duck Breast

Iced Lobster and Jumbo Shrimp

Entrees included duck…

Duck Three Ways

and lamb…

Double Cut Rack of Lamb with a Dijon Crust

Several of our party were excited about the prospects of the lobster mac & cheese…

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese

however this proved to be the only really disappointing dish of the cruise, bland and lacking much flavor.

Peanut Butter Mousse

A delicious Peanut Butter Mousse was a sweet ending to our culinary adventures on the Dream.

Oh yeah… when I mentioned this trip in a prior post, I noted this was to be a Celebratory Cruise – and the reason for the celebration was that Miss Bonnie became Mrs FishyRocketBoy!

Yes, just before the cruise Bonnie and I were married (in Mickey Ears of course, and officiated by a clown).

So there will be many more years of cooking, dining and Disney in our future, and even though she’s now a “Mrs”, I’m sure Bonnie will still be known around these parts as “Miss Bonnie”…

So there you have it Dear Dedicated Readers, some more good eats, and a little bit of news… okay, some pretty big news… and thanks to Papa Harry for the wedding pics!

As always, it’s back to the kitchen, see you soon!