Restaurants

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Chef Andreas Surf & Turf

“Surf and Turf needs to be on every cruise ship!” laughs Andreas Noemayr, Executive Chef on Holland America Line Ms Westerdam, as he banters with guests dining in the Culinary Arts Center. Our cruise was adventure bound in Alaska.

Noemayer, a jovial man from Austria, appears to be enjoying his new show-and-tell position as the star of the HAL cruise line’s Chef’s Table. Wearing a microphone and standing center stage beneath a large mirror above the exhibition kitchen, Noemayer slices and dices vegetables as he explains our first course.

A relatively new offering from Holland America Line, the Chef’s Tables costs $129 per person and includes a six course meal, paired with wines, hand selected by Cellar Master Saurabh Vaishampayan. Guests of the Chef’s Table will not only be served a high caliber, gastronomic delight, for those diners wanting to replicate the meal, Noemayer provides recipes of his creations.

Our Chef’s Table Menu from a 7-Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise

Ginger Marinated Plump Scallops

Ginger Marinated Plump Scallops enhanced wth a spicy orange marmalade and wasabi dressing.

2007 Chateau Ste Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling, Washington State

Chilled Lime Froth served with cayenne crusted caramelized crab legs.

2008 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Potato Chests with Mushrooms

Potato Chests with Mushrooms filled with a truffle flavored cognac cream and accompanied by caviar on the rox

Conumdrum, California USA

Chef’s Version of Surf and Turf with an Asian twist

Domaine de la Serre Cailloux, France

Tropical Cheesecakes: Blue Mountain Coffee Cheesecake, Mango- Chili Cheesecake and Lime – Tequila Cheesecake served with a spiced strawberry sabayon

NV Graham Six Grape Port Wine, Portugal

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Ah, Malibu! It’s one of the most upscale, yet completely mellow and casual beach towns in Southern California. One restaurant that perfectly encapsulates the dual nature of Malibu is Geoffrey’s, right off Pacific Coast Highway. A meal here is accompanied by some of the best views a restaurant can have.

Pull into the driveway and parking lot of Geoffrey’s Malibu, and you know you’re getting a special meal. A valet will quickly take care of you, parking your car carefully amid a sea of shining BMWs, Mercedes, Audis and even a Bentley or two. These mega-deluxe autos belie what awaits inside: Jeans, t-shirts, and California casual attire along with a relaxed, happy atmosphere. Geoffrey’s reflects Malibu in other ways, as well. Subtle mirrors panel the rear wall, bringing the ocean views from the front to everyone (reflects Malibu, get it? Well, I like it anyway). There isn’t a “bad table” in the restaurant. Read More »