My wife, Heidi Leppert, and I return today with part two of our "He Said, She Said" review of Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Explorer. Last week, we started off by discussing the accommodations and activities before diving briefly into the dining onboard. Today, we finish up, changing the order of our banter with ladies first.
Pacific Rim
She said: Pacific Rim is the Pan-Asian restaurant onboard, and for me it's a must. Anytime I am greeted with a signature cocktail and encouraged by the server to order at least two or three appetizers, I can already tell I'm going to enjoy the meal. Jason and I split the hamachi sashimi, which satisfied my love for spice with a thinly sliced jalapeno pepper atop the fresh yellowtail. It was a light and satisfying dish that I would order again, except this time not to share.
Other standouts for me were the black foot chicken and foie gras gyoza, as well as the black angus beef bulgogi, the latter being easily one of my top rated dishes onboard. The plating and presentation were inventive, and don't forget to order a side of egg noodles or Regent fried rice. Truly, my mouth is watering remembering all the wonderful flavors.
He Said: My mouth is watering remembering them now too. In fact, I also recall a surprisingly delicious drink-a Japanese martini. While I don't recall everything that it comprised, the sake-based cocktail was smooth and tangy with a cherry to finish it off. And my food selections were also just as good including what I too would agree to order my own of in the form of the hamachi next time.
Otherwise, the duck spring roll was alright but not mind blowing like the Canadian lobster tempura was in comparison. In fact, the passion fruit cake to follow was one of the best desserts I've ever had. (She said: I agree about the duck spring roll, but I'm not sure if the dish was unimpressive or if I just don't like duck. But that's the beauty of a cruise, isn't it: the ability to order an appetizer and a back up appetizer?)
[READMORE]READ MORE: TravelPulse Onboard: Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Explorer Review[/READMORE]
Chartreuse
She said: I thought I would be able to choose a favorite restaurant onboard, but they truly were all standouts in their own way. The same goes for Chartreuse, which serves modern French cuisine. My duo of appetizers of pretzel crusted goat cheese and savory quiche were both delicious, but I'd have to give a slight edge to the quiche.
My main course was a succulent roasted chicken with a whiskey mushroom cream sauce and parsley mashed potatoes, a dish I would gladly order again. I loved the bright decor of the restaurant, and the dishware stood out to me as elegant with a touch of whimsy, with its white-on-white polka dot pattern.
He said: Chartreuse would ordinarily be a dinner venue, but for media onboard the sailing we had the opportunity to try it at lunchtime. I'd even really like to return to try out the Prime 7 steakhouse and The Study private dining room next door to fully round out the dining experience, but we didn't have time to try those this time around.
Nonetheless, my impression of the French eatery was also excellent, the quiche being my standout favorite as well. Plus, my entree of slow-braised veal breast in apple cider broth was also a revelation, and a banana split dessert was a very unexpected but wonderful dessert.
[READMORE]READ MORE: 13 Best Things About a Luxury Cruise on Regent Seven Seas Mariner[/READMORE]
Compass Rose
She said: Check out the chandelier in Compass Rose. It's easily one of the most beautiful I've ever seen on land or at sea. Now, on to the food. As a non-seafood eater - except for sushi, go figure (He said: It's still one I'm trying to lovingly figure out.) - I sometimes struggle to find dishes that excite me on a typical rotational menu at a main dining room on a ship. There have been many nights that I've ordered something not because it sounded particularly good but because it was literally the only thing on the menu I would eat - my own fault for being picky, yes - but there you have it.
Compass Rose is an absolute dream for all diners, picky and non-picky alike. I have never seen this many choices on a menu at sea. I'll let Jason tell you more about the always-available options because he actually ordered from that side of the menu. I tried to order a filet mignon from the always-available menu, but our knowledgeable server steered me towards the daily special of beef tenderloin topped with foie gras, and I'm so glad he did. I was thrilled to see it come out a perfectly pink medium, and I savored every bite.
I also had a top-notch appetizer of a goat cheese tart tatin topped with a poached apple, and my backup appetizer of a somewhat bland mushroom risotto was the only miss for me at the meal. I ate a lot of beef on this cruise - the tenderloin, prime rib at La Veranda and beef bulgogi at Pacific Rim, and each dish was absolute perfection. Bravo, Regent!
He said: Yes, truly, I have never seen a more impressive menu at sea before. The dozens of daily and always-available choices complete with protein, sauce and side dish options amounted to a seemingly endless array of combinations. I too could have easily ordered a buffet's worth of courses but stuck to a fresh Alaskan crab salad from the all-time favorites before also enjoying the tart tatin.
What really made me happy was the ability to order a filet mignon surf and turf with a delightfully chunky chimichurri sauce and a side of potato gratin, all effortlessly kept track of by our expert waiter. The lime mouse cake with red berry confit was a fantastic sendoff to the evening and to our taste of the ship as a whole.
Bravo, Regent, indeed!
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