Holland America MS Veendam Main Rotterdam Dining Room Day 4

We've all seen Peggy's Cove before on TV, in paintings, pictures and on the internet.  The place is picturesque and is just bubbling over with Canadiana.  Another one of my bucket list items, it was our first destination once our ship docked in Halifax.  We went straight to the car rental office (in the train station across the street) and hightailed it there.  We originally planned to stay only an hour but ended up enjoying the beauty for more than 2 hours.  Sometimes the seemingly simplest, less glitzy places is where you can enjoy yourself the most...

So far, the cruise yielded a good selection of appies and entrees, but the menu this time had probably the least appealing appetizers.  As such, I got the most interesting item in the Venison Sausage Soup which was not as salty as I would’ve guessed.  Rather, it was pretty mild with a good amount of flavour from the sausage and veggies.  I found it clean and fairly tasty.  The Tomato & Mozzarella Salad with toasted foccacia was less than inspiring with not enough dressing to add any impact to the dish.  The cheese was fresh and texturally on point while the tomatoes were fine too.

It was great that Costanza’s youngest son got to order something off the adult menu in the veritable Spaghetti and Meatballs.  This was an elevated version consisting of al dente spaghettini laced in a fresh tasting and mild tomato sauce.  However, the meatballs were lacking, not in flavor, but texturally, they were really mushy.  The rest of the kiddies all went for the Short Rib which was fall apart tender.  It wasn’t exactly melt-in-their-mouths, but it was soft and still a bit meaty (which was a good thing).  The reduced braising sauce was full of depth and meatiness as well as being properly seasoned.

For myself, I went for the Seared Black Cod which was nicely prepared.  The meat was still buttery and flaky despite being a little overdone (black cod is generally a forgiving fish).  It was well seasoned and sat on a bed of wilted spinach which was a tad salty.  I would’ve liked to see the spinach less cooked though.  I also had the Veal Tenderloin which was attractively grilled and super moist.  I found it mildly seasoned while the tasty jus was lacking in quantity.  I found the polenta underneath a bit stiff, but well-seasoned.

For dessert, the Snicker’s Cake literally took the cake.  Although the chocolate cake was a bit dry, the peanut cream and chocolate ganache made up for it.  Furthermore, the lack of sweetness of the cake nicely balanced the cream.  Hence, the cake was aromatic and not as sweet as it appeared.  Costanza thought this was one of the better slices of cake he's had in awhile.  On the other hand, the Pear Crepes were downright terrible.  Not only was it bland, the crepes were akin to thin cardboard.  We were not sure how they managed to mess this up so badly.

For myself, the Hazelnut Mousse was airy and light while of course not very sweet (well it could be sweet, but they used a moderate amount of sugar substitute).  I found the hazelnut to be a little fake tasting, but okay nonetheless.  Viv had the Peach Crisp which was okay but lacking in varied flavours.  It was mostly sweet and not very hot.  So really, the temperature had a major impact where there was no aroma nor activated flavours.  Other than a few highlights, this unappetizing menu did deliver on its promise of mediocrity.  I would learn a little later on a subsequent Holland America cruise that one of the midweek meals would be just as blah as this one.

Maritime Pasty & Dee Dee's

I've seen countless pictures of Peggy's Cove and it has always been on my bucket list.  Finally, we were able to make it out there as we rented cars near the pier in Halifax.  We had planned to stay only for an hour or so, but the scenery was so seductive (yes, really), that we ended up leaving over 2 hours later.  The view and surroundings were so iconic and Canadian that we couldn't get enough it.  Oh and also, I stopped for yet another lobster roll at Maritime Pasty as well as some dessert from Dee Dee's next door.

I found the Lobster Roll to be heavy on the bread and low on the lobster content. Hence, it ate heavy due to the bottom side of the roll which was all bread. The bread was not overly dense, as it was fresh and soft, but just that it was without filling lead to this heaviness. As for the lobster, the chunks were rather small while still buttery with a light rebound texture. There was very little mayo which was a good thing.  On the side were some chips, pickle and slaw.

Costanza lined up at the next window and went for Dee Dee’s ice cream with the Mixed Berry consisting of blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. It was mostly smooth with a few ice crystals. I found it thick and rich with only a purposeful amount of sugar. The berry flavours were impactful and apparent.  Considering the location of the ice cream shop, this was more than acceptable and actually bordering on very good.

He was not done there though as he got a Root Beer Float for his son.  This was the beneficiary of bottled root beer which meant it wasn’t watered down nor syrupy tasting. The same smooth and creamy ice cream added a nice body to the float.  I'm not sure if any of these items were a good choice right before dinner, but what the heck, we were on vacation!  Oh and also, why not stop at a tourist trap?  This was the very definition as there were limited services at Peggy's Cove.

The Good:
- The fact we had anything to eat beyond the actual restaurant at Peggy's Cove was a plus
- Okay considering the tourist trap thing

The Bad:
- Not bad, but if we were to compare...  

Holland America MS Veendam Rotterdam Main Dining Room Day 3

I guess hitting up The Pinnacle Grill on our first night and then subsequently being treated to our first formal night dinner at The Rotterdam main dining room, our expectations were rather high.  If the food was anywhere close to previous experience with Holland America aboard the MS Oosterdam, then the rest of our meals would be more than acceptable.  With that in mind, we set our sights on dinner on day 3 back in the main dining room.

 At first, Viv’s Carpaccio of Beef Tenderloin looked rather strange and not very promising. However, looks were deceiving as the meat was buttery and melted-in-our-mouths. There wasn’t a whole lot of seasoning other than the olive oil, a tiny bit of parm and mustard on the side though. We also had the Smoked Seafood Sampler featuring smoked trout, mackerel and scallop. I found the items to be relatively smoky and well-cured, but the salmon was rather dry. The mackerel was fairly buttery as well as the scallop. The apple horseradish sauce on the side was not overly strong, which paired nicely with the smoked seafood.

The best appie of the night was the Salt Cod and Lobster Cake as it was fairly mild-tasting. The texture of the cod was surprisingly moist (as moist as it could be) while the lobster content was minimal. We loved the crispy well-seared exterior which was also well-seasoned. The tartar sauce worked well with a creamy and light tang. Costanza’s son had the Shrimp Corn Chowder which was creamy and sweet. The small shrimp were buttery and added another layer of natural sweetness.  Although the menu described the cream on top a brandy whipped, we couldn't taste much of it.

For my entree, I had both the Boston Lager Strip Loin Steak and the Sauteed Pork Chop. I could definitely taste a lager finish with the well-seasoned steak. It was really tender and well-rested. Although it was succulent, the steak was more medium, than medium rare. I found the sauce to creamy and impactful. The pork chop on the other hand was somewhat dry (although not dry enough to be inedible). It was well-seared and seasoned. I liked the flavourful and meaty reduction as well as the plum chutney. I loved the chewy kale as well as the tender quinoa. It was salty though.

Viv and Elaine had the Bucatini with Duck which was excellent. The pasta was nicely al dente and not clumpy. On top, the shredded braised duck was tender like confit and incredibly rich in flavour. There was a meaty depth that penetrated the noodles. The kiddies had the Rosemary Roasted Chicken which was relatively moist, even the white meat. The skin was somewhat rendered and tasty. The gravy was also very flavourful with a meaty depth and saltiness. The red skin mashed potato was creamy and garlicky.  As much as the brussels sprouts were rather pale, they were not mushy.

Costanza’s son had the Broiled Halibut with lime-tarragon aioli.  By first looks, it appeared to be well-prepared. Sadly, it was dry though mostly due to it being probably frozen. It was nicely spiced with an herbaceous acidity.  Underneath, the quinoa wild rice mix was chewy and well-seasoned. On the other hand, Costanza’s Grilled Salmon was practically perfect being nicely seared and buttery flaky inside. It was also well-seasoned with an herby ginger-cilantro pesto that had a slight sharpness. This dish was surprising as fish can be very hard to prepare on a large scale.

For dessert, the Alize Cake was soft, airy and light. The passionfruit mousse in the middle was creamy and not overly sugary. The sponge cake was also soft and light. Loved the fruit compote on the side as it added a burst of sweet tanginess. We didn’t enjoy Elaine’s Warm Chocolate Cake as it was dense and mealy. It was rather bland as well except for a minor chocolatey bitterness.  Even the promise of bourbon whipped cream didn't add much to the dish.  However, the fresh blueberries were tasty...

On the other hand, the Mango Blueberry Crisp was really good with big hits of fruit while just sweet enough.  We liked how visually we could see the fruit and hence as a result, the dessert was not without substance.  To top it all off literally, the topping was buttery and crunchy.  Compared to our first 2 meals so far, the 3rd night was hit and miss.  To be fair, it was still pretty good considering cruise food can often be glorified catered fare.  The attention to detail was there at the very least.

Holland America MS Veendam Rotterdam Main Dining Room Day 2

After a solid meal at The Pinnacle Grill, we settled into our assigned table at The Rotterdam main dinning room. The second night of the cruise happened to be the first formal night.  So we dressed up to the nines for our meal (not that I love being in a suit while eating).  Turns out that it wasn’t a good experience as someone smudged whipped cream all over the back of my brand new jacket.  At the very least, they paid for my dry cleaning.  Yet at the same time, this was not something that was necessarily impressive either.

Getting to the food, I began with the Escargots with garlic and butter.  This was a pretty classic preparation with sinfully tasty melted butter.  There was enough garlic and cheese for full impact and flavor.  The snails themselves were soft, yet not mushy.  I would’ve liked more crostinis to soak up the sauce.  I guess I could've just ate it like soup...  Yet, I also had the Creamed Artichoke and Carrot Soup, so I didn't have to eat all that butter...  This was nicely pureed where it was smooth, yet at the same time had chunks of artichoke and carrot added for texture.  The soup was creamy and naturally sweet.

Viv decided on the Salad of Arugula & Frisee and it was pretty good for a salad (since we are rarely impressed with any salads...).  The ingredients were fresh while the balsamic vinaigrette was balanced and impactful.  Loved the sweet elements such as the pear and Mandarin organges that helped balance the taste.  Viv also had the Orange Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail which was similar to the one I had at The Pinnacle Grill being meaty with a firm snap.  Loved the natural sweetness as well as a light saltiness.  Interestingly, the accompanying dip was a cilantro lemongrass aioli.  It was aromatic and not acidic like cocktail sauce.

For my entree, I had the Rack of Lamb with tomato couscous and garlic pearls.  The meat was prepared a nice medium (it wasn't overdone) which meant the natural juices were still there.  I found the lamb to be succulent and tender while nicely seasoned.  I thought the cous cous underneath was also good texturally and flavor-wise.  Viv had the best dish being the Maple-Lacquered Duck Breast which was tender and well-seasoned being the right balance between salty and sweet.  I wish the skin was rendered more though.  Underneath, there was corn-cranberry pudding, candied figs, braised Swiss chard and cider-vinegar sauce.  There was an abundance of sweetness that was balanced by the sauce.

My daughter went for the Yellowfin Sole Fillet which was lightly coated and pan fried.  The batter was a bit soft, yet mildly seasoned.  The fish itself was soft and not overdone, but there needed to be more of the sauce vierge since the dish was bland and somewhat dry.  On the other hand, the smashed potato crab gallette was excellent being soft and slightly crisp on the outside while appealingly salty.  The rest of the kiddies had the Baked Ricotta Stuffed Shells which were blessed with a tasty and fresh garlicky tomato sauce.  It was tangy and sweet while bright including plenty of basil.  The shells were slightly soft, but not mushy where the ricotta filling wasn’t too wet either.

For dessert, almost everyone had the Chocolate Souffle which were mostly collapsed.  However, they weren’t dense at all.  Flavorwise, they were good being semi sweet while accompanied by a creamy and tasty chocolate sauce.  It was sweet, but not too much.  I had the Black Forrest Cake and it was very light featuring fresh whipped cream.  The cake itself was moist while not overly chocolatey.  I wished the cherries were more tangy though.  But this was not bad considering it was a sugar-free option.  Overall, this was a pretty solid meal for the main dining room.  Definitely a cut-above that of the most recent cruises I've been aboard Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

DownEast Deli

Originally, I was going to pay the Lazy Lobster a visit in Bar Harbor, Maine on our first port of call on our cruise. However, it turned out to be out-of-business. It really didn’t matter as we ended up on a trolley tour of the place for 2.5 hours. We weren’t aware that the place was a playground for the rich and famous! While returning back to the pier, the driver pointed out Downeast Deli which featured a $12.95 lobster roll. We made it out there despite early dinner reservations a few hours later.

I chose the Classic Lobster Roll prepared cold for this time since the last 3 were hot and buttered. For the price, the roll was decent in size. It was more of a snack size which was fine by me. Despite this, the amount of buttery and fresh lobster meat was substantial. I liked how there was only a light amount of mayo. I found the bun to be a bit denser than I would’ve liked.

I also decided to try their Lobster Stew featuring the same amount of lobster found in the roll. It was mainly prepared lobster meat added to a buttery and creamy broth. I found the lobster to be on point just like the roll being sweet and springy. However, the broth was forgettable as it was too rich and not really tasting like anything. Lastly, I got the New England Clam Chowder as well. It was pretty thick, yet not overly creamy. It was slightly briny and not really full of any ingredients. I found very little in the way of clams or potato.  So as you can see, the lobster roll is the main thing to get here.  The other items were pretty forgettable.

The Good:
- Inexpensive
- They don't skimp with the lobster
- Friendly people

The Bad:
- Clam chowder lacks ingredients
- Stew broth not appetizing  

Pinnacle Grill (Holland America MS Veendam)

There once was a time where all the food and I mean all of it was inclusive on cruises.  Well, that was a long time ago and really, it was before my time.  You see, from the very first cruise I've been on, there has always been an alternative restaurant on board for a fee.  Fast-forward to the present and some of the mega ships sport specialty restaurants in the double-digits.  It is a reality and to be honest, I don't really mind it.  One can choose to eat in the main dining room for the duration of their cruise while others will gladly shell out a bit more for different experiences.  Since we had a good experience at the Pinnacle Grill aboard the Oosterdam, we made resos for the one aboard the Veendam.

I'm a big fan of Lobster Bisque, so I had to order it once I knew it was on the menu. Poured table side, the silky rich broth was super intense with the aroma of lobster. The soup wasn’t creamy per se, but it was thick and full of body. It wasn’t overly salty and I could taste the cognac. Little bits of lobster helped complete the concoction. Viv went for the Beef Tartare that featured tender hand-diced meat. It was well seasoned with pickles, salt and pepper while being accompanied by capers, onions and parsley. When placed on the crostini, the dish ate fine with soft well-seasoned meat. However, on its own, the meat could’ve been dressed more aggressively as it was somewhat dry.

Costanza decided on the Crab Cakes for his appie and it was merely “okay”. The exterior was crispy and light, but the crab inside was a bit stringy and dry. We liked how there was little filler, but the texture wasn’t exactly what we were expecting. It was well spiced and the drops of aioli added a creamy spiciness. We also got the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail and it was superb. The large shrimp were meaty with a firm snap while being naturally sweet and briny.  The picture doesn't really do it justice as they were huge!

For her main, my daughter had the Mushroom Ravioli that was doused in a super creamy sauce. It ate far too heavy for her liking as every bite was cumbersome. They could’ve eased up with the cream. As for the ravioli, the pasta was a bit soft while the mushroom filling was not moist enough.  Flavour-wise, there was no absence of Earthiness. Costanza’s oldest son went for the Alaskan King Crab Legs which were meaty and large in portion size. A bit on the saltier side, the meat was still moist and springy.  This was pretty decent for frozen crab legs.

For myself, I had the 23 oz Porterhouse which was prepared more rare than medium-rare as requested. Despite this, the steak was appealingly tender and properly rested. I liked how it was consistently cooked from the tenderloin to the striploin (which is a difficult thing to do as both steaks cook differently). The accompanying peppercorn sauce was creamy and only slightly peppery. My son had the Striploin which was prepared a proper medium rare. It was also tender while still retaining a meaty chew. The side of maitre’d garlic butter was flavourful and sinful.

Viv and Costanza had the Cioppino packed with shrimp, scallops, mussels and fish. The scallops were buttery while the shrimp had a nice meaty snap. Fish was moist and flaky. The broth was tomatoey with a tang and apparent spice. It was nicely briny as well. For the table, we got all of the sides including the buttery and salty Asparagus, sweet Carrots and firm Brussels Sprouts with bacon. The Fries were pretty crispy while accompanied by a flavourful truffle aioli. Mashed Potatoes were a bit dense and could’ve been creamier while the Creamed Spinach didn’t have that issue. Lastly, the Baked Potato was a bit firm, but loaded with butter and sour cream.

For dessert, my son had the Chocolate Volcano Cake with Grand Marnier and it was pretty strong (no, we were not encouraging underage alcohol consumption!). It wasn’t too sweet though, yet as mentioned, the booze was definitely there (we are not bad parents...). Texturally, it was soft and rich being on the wetter side. Viv had the Souffle and it was a touch dense where it ultimately collapsed. Despite this, it was still decent being just sweet enough with chocolate. 

Costanza had the Lemon Brulee Tart and it was tangy and smooth. It was also rather sweet due to the sugar topping. It was bruleed nicely though.  Overall, we thought the meal at Pinnacle was worth the extra cost.  The menu featured premium dishes constructed with premium ingredients.  Of course there were stronger dishes and weaker ones.  The rule of thumb here would be to stay away from the lesser dishes such as the ravioli.  One important note though: even if kids are eating off the kids menu, they still pay the full price.

The Good:
- Premium ingredients
- Excellent service
- Smaller dining room

The Bad:
- Of course there is an extra cost involved
- Not worth it for the kids unless they order off the regular menu (which they did)