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After 2 serviceable, yet unremarkable meals at Taste and the Manhattan Room aboard the NCL Bliss, we were going to eat at the other main dining room - Savor. We decided on lunch because we had one more specialty dining experience on the last night of the cruise at La Cucina. Besides, having a sit-down lunch with service was something we hadn't done much of during the cruise. Sure, the buffet was convenient, but avoiding the hustle and bustle slowed things down a bit. So unlike the changing dinner menus in the main dining room every night, the lunch menu remained the same throughout the cruise.
On that note, we ordered a few things my parents suggested as they had visited Savor for lunch on a few occasions. They recommended the Popcorn Shrimp as well as the Stuffed Potato Skins. I thought the popcorn shrimp was pretty decent for what it was. The shrimp were fairly large and the breading wasn't too thick. It was still crispy and not overly greasy. It came with cocktail sauce and also a jalapeno & cornichon dip (fancy tartar sauce). Their interpretation of potato skins was good in our opinion. Normally, we'd find cheese and bacon stuffed inside, but they went with something much lighter in a crab salad accompanied by mixed greens on the side. So really, it was more of a fluffy crab salad that was on top on a fried potato skin (which we didn't end up eating).
For myself, I decided on the Roasted Tomato Soup with pesto macaroni and crème fraîche. I would have to say the NCL Bliss had a strong soup game. I don't think I had one that wasn't good. It applied to the tomato soup as well. Exhibiting plenty of depth and rich flavors, the soup was smooth with a balanced amount of tanginess and sweetness. The dollop of crème fraîche added a welcomed creaminess. Even the macaroni was well-executed with and al dente herbaceousness. Although haphazardly plated, the Cajun Shrimp Salad was pretty solid. The plump shrimp were meaty with a sweet snap. There was enough seasoning for some light spice and saltiness. Underneath, the combination of arugula, radish and red onion was tossed in a sage vinaigrette. I found it to be tangy with a bit of earthiness.
We had one last simple appie before our larger plates being the Chicken Nachos with cheddar, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. The chips were similar to the ones found at The Local, so they were more crunchy and firm. We much preferred the ones we had at Margaritaville. Anyways, nothing particularly interesting here other than the pieces of chicken, which were a bit dry. I guess this was okay if you were craving nachos, but the other appies were better in my opinion. Off to the entrees, Viv went for the Shrimp Arrabiata with penne, spicy tomato sauce, black olives, parmigiano-reggiano and basil oil. In terms of texture, the penne pasta was all wrong being too thick and gummy. On the other hand, the flavor was pretty good with a spicy tanginess. The shrimp were good too with an appealing meatiness.
For myself, I ordered the Roasted Leg of Lamb with rosemary gravy, grilled red bell pepper, eggplant and zucchini. As much as the lamb was prepared medium, the meat itself was not that tender. Being sliced thin helped matters somewhat, but it was chewy in spots. I did like the gravy though as it was woodsy and well-seasoned. Veggies were nicely grilled too with a caramelized smokiness. As for my son, he went straight for the Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf smothered in BBQ sauce. At first glance, the darn thing looked more like a meat pie than meatloaf. Alas, it was definitely a meat loaf that was a little on the denser side, yet was still fairly moist. The bacon on the outside was rather fatty and not rendered enough. Sweet and tangy, the BBQ sauce was a compliment. On the side, we found a twice-baked potato and grilled eggplant.
Not being super creative, my daughter once again chose the Fish & Chips made of pollack and accompanied by the usual tartar sauce. I'm not sure what I could possibly say about this as it was meh. The fish looked and ate more like the frozen ones you'd find at the supermarket. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible as the fish was flaky and moist and the batter was crispy. It is just the dish was very unremarkable. The one at Margaritaville was much better (at an extra cost though). Onto dessert, I thought the Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake was pretty solid. It had all of the characteristics of a good baked cheesecake. Rich and creamy, it was purposefully sweet where the topping of peanut butter cups added aroma and even more sweetness. Not sure if the chocolate sauce was necessary though. There was enough impact to go around already.
Last two desserts consisted of the Key Lime Parfait and the Crème Caramel. I quite enjoyed the key lime parfait as it was smooth and full of key lime essence. As such, it was refreshing and light. It sat atop some vanilla cream and a sprinkle of ginger crisp. Also smooth and creamy, the crème caramel was smoky sweet while topped with crisps and fresh berries. Believe it or not, this lunch service yielded some of the better desserts of the cruise so far (although we had one more meal after). In fact, if you were to ever go on an NCL cruise (after the Covid-19 pandemic is over), doing at least one lunch service at Savor (or Taste) would be an okay alternative to the buffet. However, have tempered expectations as the food ain't anything special.
The Good:
- Sit-down meal instead of the buffet
- Decent desserts
- Decent appies
The Bad:
- Decent, but not great either
Here we are, back to the regular I guess. Yep, another main dining room aboard the NCL Bliss. However, this was the largest and most well-situated dining space on the ship. Located at the back of the ship on deck 7, it still served the same menu as Taste and Savor. It just did it with a bit more flair. We ended up here after a decent meal at Taste the night before. We were seated near the window had the view of the water as well as natural light. I found it a bit louder and more energetic as the dining room was full.
For our appies, I decided to go fairly simple in the Avocado Hummus served with crispy pita thins and a cup of vegetable sticks. I may have missed something here, but there wasn't a whole lot of avocado in the hummus. It ate like a regular hummus. Not bad really as it was creamy with some texture, garlickiness and acidity. The pita was actually more fluffy than crispy, which was fine by me. Veggies were fresh and went well with the hummus. My son had the Italian Beef Meatballs with spicy marinara sauce and parmesan cheese. Pretty standard stuff where it was still decent. The meatballs were juicy and moist with a good amount of char on the outside. This added smokiness while the sauce did live up to the promise of being spicy (it just wasn't very spicy, that's all).
The 2 soups on the menu for the night were Chicken and Matzo Ball as well as Cream of Asparagus. Surprisingly, the matzo ball itself was pretty good. We weren't expecting much as even some Jewish delis cannot even nail a good matzo ball. However, the one here was fluffy while not being too much so. I'm not sure if they used any egg, but it sure seemed like it. The broth itself was a touch salty and in need of more natural chicken essence, but it was fine and we liked the veggies. As for the cream of asparagus, it was indeed rich but not heavy. It was in a beautiful shade of green which made it appetizing . The topping of toasted hazelnuts were a nice textural contrast as well as adding an aromatic nuttiness. There was plenty of asparagus flavor which was elevated by just the right amount of seasoning.
Onto our mains, the best of the bunch had to be the Braised Lamb Shank with roasted carrots, shallots and rosemary potatoes. Large and cooked perfectly, the meat fell off the bone easily and was uniformly tender throughout. Normally, the shank can be dry in spots, but not this one. The gelatinous meat was very moist and well-seasoned. Even the sides were on point with all three veggies being fully cooked while still retaining a firm exterior texture. Large and robust, the Herb Crusted Rotisserie Chicken was serviceable. Naturally, the dark meat was much more juicy and tender than the breast meat. With that being said, the breast meat wasn't exactly dry either. We liked how the skin was fairly well-rendered and seasoned. The mashed potatoes were creamy and the broccoli wasn't horribly overcooked either.
We also had 2 fish entrees including the Broiled Lemon Pepper Coalfish with Cajun roasted potatoes and creamed leek. This dish was mostly average as the fish was a touch overdone. It was nicely seasoned though where the lemon pepper was noticeable. The best part of the dish was the creamed leek as it was aromatic and indeed creamy. Not particularly Cajun-tasting, the potatoes at the very least were tender and browned. Similarly to the one at Taste, the Breaded Flounder Fillet was essentially the same except a bit thicker. As such, it was more moist. The breading was nicely browned and crispy while not being overly greasy. Nothing amazing, but well-executed nonetheless.
Another classic "available everyday" entree was the 3-Cheese Baked Ziti with parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta cheese. This was similar to the one found at The Local, but done much better. First of all, there was actually enough sauce which wasn't watery. Second, the pasta was al dente, but not hard. Hence, it ate more like a uniform dish rather than feeling like it was thrown altogether (which this dish still was, but better). Something that sounded rather tasty was the Sauteed Beef Strips with chimichurri sauce. I wouldn't say it was as flavorful as the description, yet at the same time, it wasn't bland either. The beef was sufficiently tender and the roasted veggies were still vibrant. It sat atop a fluffy cilantro rice that was mild (which was a good thing).
Moving onto the sweets, the that caught my attention was the Snicker's Pound Cake consisting of Snicker's pieces, vanilla ice cream, white chocolate curls and fresh strawberries. So one would assume this was super sweet and yep, they wouldn't be wrong either. I still enjoyed it since the pound cake was moist and I do like Snickers. I can see how some people would find it too sugary though. Something less sweet and also not as sweet was the Chocolate Eclairs with vanilla custard and chocolate glaze. I found the choux pastry to be on the drier side but light. Vanilla custard was semi-sweet while the chocolate glaze was fairly sweet. Yet as mentioned, it was nowhere as sugary as the pound cake.
The last 2 sweets included the Warm Banana Souffle and Mexican Chocolate Cake. As evidenced in the picture, the souffle was pretty sad-looking. It was still light and fluffy despite not rising much. I'm not a huge fan of banana desserts, so the flavor was meh for me. I did enjoy the Mexican chocolate cake though as it was moist and rich without being too heavy. It was on the sweeter side due to the dulce de leche. Overall, this meal was okay, but more on the "meh" side. Considering it was no extra charge, it did the job. We loved the dining space though as it was classy and spacious. Definitely better atmosphere than Taste and Savor.
The Good:
- Classy dining room
- Nicest view of the 3 main dining rooms
- It's included
The Bad:
- Food was okay, but not memorable
Although I've had many opportunities to try Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, I've never actually considered dining at the place. Why not you might wonder... I don't have anything against the place and honestly, I have been curious. However, each time, there was something more unique and interesting to try. Not to mention, I'm not a huge fan of trying chain restaurants when there are many locations available (so no rush to eat at one). With that thinking, I never got to eat at a Margaritaville. Ironically, I finally decided to do so on the NCL Bliss for lunch.
We started off strong with the Volcano Nachos sporting tortilla chips, queso, chili con carne, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and jalapenos. Oh boy, this was larger than what you see in the picture. Unlike the chips found at The Local, these were much more airy and crispy. With layered chili and melted cheese, there weren't many chips that were bare. No we didn't finish this, but it was pretty good. Next, we tried the Conch Fritters served with key lime cocktail sauce. I thought these were serviceable with a decently crispy exterior. Inside, the fritter was a bit on the doughier side with a mix of chewy (in a good way) conch and veggies. There was a slight spice to it and it tasted good on its own even without the cocktail sauce.
Appreciably better than the ones at The Local, the Hot Pretzel Sticks were served with queso and mustard. Despite looking heavy and dense, these were actually somewhat soft inside. I liked how they were served warm with a chewy and slightly crispy exterior. Seeing how this and the nachos were completely different than the crappy ones found at The Local proved that Margaritaville had their own separate supplies for the restaurant. Now it wouldn't be a visit to Margaritaville without ordering a drink right? I decided on the Last Mango in Paris featuring mango tequila, Cointreau orange liqueur, margarita blend and cranberry juice. As you can imagine, this was tropical and fruity. Not particularly strong (which was a good thing for us), this was a refreshing beverage on a nice day. Would've been better in Mexico though...
Continuing on the same theme of the nachos, I had the Volcano Burger sporting volcano chili, lava cheese sauce, Fritos corn chips, pickled jalapeno and guacamole. Supremely messy, this burger was quite good. I found the large burger patty to be moist and a bit crumbly. The soft bun barely held everything in though. Of course the corn chips added a salty crunch which was doused with spicy melted cheese. Not being merely a side, the fries were crispy and hot. Much better than the ones found at the other venues aboard the ship. Viv ended up with the Grilled Chicken Sandwich with chicken breast, Monterey jack cheese, bacon, Dijonaise, lettuce and tomato. Compared to my burger, this was rather ordinary. However, the chicken was tender (could've been more charred though) and the amount of cheese and crispy bacon ensured it wasn't bland.
To get our greens, we had the Blackened Shrimp Caesar on the side to share. Nothing amazing here, yet the romaine was fresh without any brown or red edges. There was a twist with the Caesar dressing as there was key lime which gave it a different acidic note from the usual lemon. The best part was the shrimp as it was charred with blackening spices. They were also meaty and cooked just right. As for my son, he decided on the Key West Fish Sandwich featuring grilled fish (which we figured was mahi mahi) with cilantro lime slaw, tomato and jalapeno tartar sauce. The fish was rare in the middle and tender. I would say this was one of the more mild-tasting items we had, but I guess it comes with the territory since it was a fish sandwich. The tartar sauce was not that spicy either.
My daughter went for her favorite in the Fish & Chips with LandShark beer batter. We thought this was prepared quite well. First of all, it consisted of the same crispy fries as with the other dishes. Secondly, the fish was flaky and moist while encased in a thin crispy and non-greasy batter. Slaw was fresh and bright while not overdressed. We didn't notice anything special about the tartar sauce, but it was fine. Overall, I actually didn't mind the food at Margaritaville. I can't compare it to the on-land version because I've never been, but it was significantly better than The Local and hence, I was okay with the reasonable $15.00 per person cover charge.
The Good:
- One of the least expensive pay restaurants
- Large portions
- Good casual food
The Bad:
- Most items were heavy, so if it isn't your thing...
- Some tables were right on the running track, not good
Due to the wide range of dining options aboard the NCL Bliss, we didn’t get a chance to visit any of the main dining rooms until well into the cruise. Ultimately, we were ready to see what dinner was like without the dining package and/or paying a la carte. We decided to try Taste on this night (although all 3 main dining rooms serve the same food). Looking at the menu, it was pretty obvious that it didn’t compare to Le Bistro and Cagney’s. Yet, at the same time, the options were not completely unappealing. Oh, and I forgot to take a picture of both Taste and Savor. That forgettable? I guess we were about to see...
For our appies, my daughter went for the Smoked Mozzarella Ravioli with lobster cream. Appetizing in appearance, this ate surprisingly well. Although the lobster essence wasn't particularly strong, it did add the usual aromatics. The pasta was al dente and fairly thin while the cheese in the middle was ooey and gooey. We thought this would've been good as a main. I guess we could've asked for that in hindsight... My mom decided on the Stuffed Mushroom Caps with shallots, garlic, chopped walnuts, seasoned breadcrumbs and grated manchego cheese. It is safe to say this was not the prettiest attempt at plating. However, the caps were tender and full of ingredients which were varied and fairly subtle. Normally, manchego would be noticeable as well as the garlic, but the mix was not that impactful.
We also ordered 2 soups that included the Cream of Broccoli with cheddar cheese and Sweet Yellow Corn & Chili Bisque with Monterey Jack cheese and jalapeno. Thick and creamy, the cream of broccoli had an unmistakable essence. Some melted cheddar added more body to the soup. We liked how it was flavorful without being overly salty. I really enjoyed the bisque as it was sweet with depth. There was a background spice that helped balance off the flavors. Viv went for something simple in the Bruschetta featuring grilled ciabatta, ricotta cheese, roma tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil. Nothing complex here, but the bread was crispy and didn't get soggy. On top, the tomatoes were fresh and the drizzle of balsamic added the necessary acidity as well as sweetness.
Our final starter was the Smoked Sausage with russet potatoes and dijon mustard dressing. Yes, this was not really all that elegant and fairly simple. However, it was still enjoyable to eat regardless. The "potato salad" underneath was on point texturally where it was soft without being mushy. There was a pleasant tanginess from the dijon that helped lighten the heaviness of the dish. The sausage itself was moist and bouncy with a nice snap from the casing. My daughter went for the Potato Gnocchi with pesto cream sauce, sundried tomato and pine nuts. She liked how the gnocchi was seared and caramelized, but the texture was a bit too dense. The sauce was definitely creamy with the classic taste of pesto. Cutting through the heaviness was the necessary tang from the sundried tomatoes.
For myself I had the Southern Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes, corn and biscuit. I found the meat to be fairly moist where it certainly needed more seasoning (or brining). The batter itself was somewhat crunchy, yet it merely slid off the chicken once I cut into it. This created a disconnect between that and the meat. Nothing really interesting about the corn and mashed potatoes. The biscuit was not-so-great as it was hard and cold. It was no surprise that my son chose the Beef Short Rib Ragu braised in red wine atop pappardelle pasta with ricotta cheese and aged balsamic vinaigrette. Although a bit clumpy, the pasta was surprisingly al dente. There was plenty of shredded short rib which was fairly tender with some dry parts. It was well-seasoned and benefited from the acidity of the balsamic which created another layer of flavor.
Off to 2 fish dishes, Viv ordered from the classic entrees (available every night in all of the main dining rooms) choosing the Breaded Flounder Fillet with arugula salad, cherry tomatoes and mustard remoulade. As simple this was, the execution was pretty spot on. Flaky and moist, the fish was the beneficiary of a crispy and light breading. With a squeeze from the lemon wedge and splash of remoulade, there was enough tangy creaminess to compliment the fish. For my dad, he had the featured fish in the Baked Walleye Cod Fillet with spinach mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and lemon-butter sauce. Similar to the flounder, the cod was also moist and flaky. Breading was a touch thicker, yet still crispy and nicely browned. We would've liked to see a more tangy sauce, but it was not offensive. The glazed carrots were actually pretty good being sweet and not overdone.
Also selecting from the classic entrees, my mom opted for the Grilled New York Strip Steak with French fries and peppercorn sauce. Despite the uneven grill marks, the steak was prepared medium-rare as requested. With that being said, more char would've elevated the caramelized flavors and smokiness. The meat was sufficiently tender and the peppercorn sauce was impactful enough. Nothing special about the side of fries though. For dessert, my mom went for her standby with the Classic Vanilla Cheesecake topped by raspberry sauce. Considering this was a no-sugar added version, it was pretty solid. It was not that heavy for a baked cheesecake, yet it was still creamy and rich. Not surprisingly, it was sweet due to the addition of sugar substitutes.
Our last 2 desserts consisted of Black Forest Cake and Flourless Chocolate Cake. With a plethora of fresh whipped cream, the black forest cake was light and ate almost like an Asian cake. On that note, it was also not very sweet either and the tangy black cherry sauce only helped keep things bright. On the other hand, the flourless chocolate cake was predictably and expectedly more dense. We found it a bit dry, but not lacking in sweetness. Similar to the black forest cake, the fruity tang was provided by the berry compote on the side. Overall, the food at Taste was acceptable and was a touch better than the last NCL cruise I was on several years ago. I would still say that Holland America still has some of the best main dining room food compared to other mainstream cruise companies.
The Good:
- Mostly decent food
- Enough variety to please everyone
- Dining room not as nice as Manhattan Room
The Bad:
- Clear distinction between specialty restaurants and main dining rooms (as expected)
- Compared to specialty restaurants, the food at main dining rooms are more akin to catering
Posts
After 2 serviceable, yet unremarkable meals at Taste and the Manhattan Room aboard the NCL Bliss, we were going to eat at the other main dining room - Savor. We decided on lunch because we had one more specialty dining experience on the last night of the cruise at La Cucina. Besides, having a sit-down lunch with service was something we hadn't done much of during the cruise. Sure, the buffet was convenient, but avoiding the hustle and bustle slowed things down a bit. So unlike the changing dinner menus in the main dining room every night, the lunch menu remained the same throughout the cruise.
On that note, we ordered a few things my parents suggested as they had visited Savor for lunch on a few occasions. They recommended the Popcorn Shrimp as well as the Stuffed Potato Skins. I thought the popcorn shrimp was pretty decent for what it was. The shrimp were fairly large and the breading wasn't too thick. It was still crispy and not overly greasy. It came with cocktail sauce and also a jalapeno & cornichon dip (fancy tartar sauce). Their interpretation of potato skins was good in our opinion. Normally, we'd find cheese and bacon stuffed inside, but they went with something much lighter in a crab salad accompanied by mixed greens on the side. So really, it was more of a fluffy crab salad that was on top on a fried potato skin (which we didn't end up eating). 
For myself, I decided on the Roasted Tomato Soup with pesto macaroni and crème fraîche. I would have to say the NCL Bliss had a strong soup game. I don't think I had one that wasn't good. It applied to the tomato soup as well. Exhibiting plenty of depth and rich flavors, the soup was smooth with a balanced amount of tanginess and sweetness. The dollop of crème fraîche added a welcomed creaminess. Even the macaroni was well-executed with and al dente herbaceousness. Although haphazardly plated, the Cajun Shrimp Salad was pretty solid. The plump shrimp were meaty with a sweet snap. There was enough seasoning for some light spice and saltiness. Underneath, the combination of arugula, radish and red onion was tossed in a sage vinaigrette. I found it to be tangy with a bit of earthiness.
We had one last simple appie before our larger plates being the Chicken Nachos with cheddar, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. The chips were similar to the ones found at The Local, so they were more crunchy and firm. We much preferred the ones we had at Margaritaville. Anyways, nothing particularly interesting here other than the pieces of chicken, which were a bit dry. I guess this was okay if you were craving nachos, but the other appies were better in my opinion. Off to the entrees, Viv went for the Shrimp Arrabiata with penne, spicy tomato sauce, black olives, parmigiano-reggiano and basil oil. In terms of texture, the penne pasta was all wrong being too thick and gummy. On the other hand, the flavor was pretty good with a spicy tanginess. The shrimp were good too with an appealing meatiness.
For myself, I ordered the Roasted Leg of Lamb with rosemary gravy, grilled red bell pepper, eggplant and zucchini. As much as the lamb was prepared medium, the meat itself was not that tender. Being sliced thin helped matters somewhat, but it was chewy in spots. I did like the gravy though as it was woodsy and well-seasoned. Veggies were nicely grilled too with a caramelized smokiness. As for my son, he went straight for the Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf smothered in BBQ sauce. At first glance, the darn thing looked more like a meat pie than meatloaf. Alas, it was definitely a meat loaf that was a little on the denser side, yet was still fairly moist. The bacon on the outside was rather fatty and not rendered enough. Sweet and tangy, the BBQ sauce was a compliment. On the side, we found a twice-baked potato and grilled eggplant.
Not being super creative, my daughter once again chose the Fish & Chips made of pollack and accompanied by the usual tartar sauce. I'm not sure what I could possibly say about this as it was meh. The fish looked and ate more like the frozen ones you'd find at the supermarket. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible as the fish was flaky and moist and the batter was crispy. It is just the dish was very unremarkable. The one at Margaritaville was much better (at an extra cost though). Onto dessert, I thought the Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake was pretty solid. It had all of the characteristics of a good baked cheesecake. Rich and creamy, it was purposefully sweet where the topping of peanut butter cups added aroma and even more sweetness. Not sure if the chocolate sauce was necessary though. There was enough impact to go around already.
Last two desserts consisted of the Key Lime Parfait and the Crème Caramel. I quite enjoyed the key lime parfait as it was smooth and full of key lime essence. As such, it was refreshing and light. It sat atop some vanilla cream and a sprinkle of ginger crisp. Also smooth and creamy, the crème caramel was smoky sweet while topped with crisps and fresh berries. Believe it or not, this lunch service yielded some of the better desserts of the cruise so far (although we had one more meal after). In fact, if you were to ever go on an NCL cruise (after the Covid-19 pandemic is over), doing at least one lunch service at Savor (or Taste) would be an okay alternative to the buffet. However, have tempered expectations as the food ain't anything special.
