Norwegian Escape Dining Overview and Review
One of the best parts of vacation, especially cruising, is the food. The Norwegian Escape has a lot of choices when it comes to dining. The is my overview of the Norwegian Escape Dining and then I will give some tips.
Overview
I will break the Norwegian Escape Dining into two types; complimentary and specialty. The complimentary dining is included and the specialty dining has an additional charge. Some specialty dining locations have a flat cover charge and some have an a la carte charge that is based on what you order (like a regular restaurant). If you would like to have dinner at any of the specialty restaurants then you should definitely make a reservation ahead of time. Reservations are not necessary for dinner at the complementary locations unless you have a party of 6 or more. You never need reservations for breakfast or lunch.
Complementary Dining
Complementary Dining includes the Garden Cove Buffet, O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, The Manhattan Room, Taste and Savor.
The Garden Cove is the buffet location that has the largest variety of foods and is open for a good part of the day. It is also the most casual location since its next to the pool.
O’Sheehans’s has a more limited menu but includes favorites like burgers, hot dogs, wings, nachos, and salads. They have a nice breakfast too that is a little simpler than Taste and Savor but still offers a served meal. Lastly, O’Sheehan’s has specials each night for dinner such as prime rib or BBQ ribs and they are open 24/7.
The most formal locations offered in complementary dining are Taste, Savor, and the Manhattan Room. Taste and Savor are separate but equal restaurants. They offer a nicely served meal at breakfast, lunch, or dinner but have specific dining times. The Manhattan Room has a similar menu but is only open for dinner. The do offer live music during dinner so its a nice place to enjoy a meal as well.
Specialty Dining
There are lots of specialty dining options; some are more casual and some are more formal.
Times and cost vary. Here they are:
Margaritaville: This location offers a complimentary breakfast (weather permitting) and a casual lunch. They have an AMAZING nachos plate and burgers among other things. Since its outside just up from the pool its pretty casual and a lot of fun. I have to say the burger and nachos were both REALLY good! Pricing is a la carte.
Food Republic: They have lunch sometimes (may not have lunch on port days) and dinner as well. This location is so fun because you order from a kiosk at your table. After you swipe your card to pay your order goes to the chef. You can order one thing, wait for it to come and then order more. My husband loved the sushi and I thought the sliders and the shrimp were amazing. The dessert was great too. I loved having control of my ordering. Pricing is a la carte.
Pincho: This is a Tapas Bar and can be open for lunch on sea days and dinner. This is a great place to go with friends because of the small plates that are meant to be shared. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Pricing is a la carte.
Teppanyaki: This is a typical hibachi restaurant and only offers dinner. You can choose your entree but most of the meal is pre-fixe with edamame, soup, salad, fried rice, and vegetables. You are seated with other guests around a cook top where they prepare your meal while they entertain you. The fruit sashimi dessert is a personal favorite too. The meal is $29.95 per person
Moderno: This restaurant is a churrascaria and is only open for dinner. There is a large salad bar with appetizers and even sushi. The main meal is served on skewers at your table. It is brought around by the wait staff and cut onto your plate. They have a large variety of meats. They will keep bringing you options until you tell them you are finished by putting up your red card. Then dessert is served. The meal is $24.95 per person.
La Cucina: This Italian restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and offers dinner. They have a variety of Italian foods including pasta, seafood and steaks. They have a la carte pricing.
Le Bistro: Modeled after a French cafe this restaurant offers French food and is only open for dinner. There are lots of seafood options on the menu and the desserts are to die for. They have a la carte pricing.
Cagney’s: Cagney’s is a steakhouse that has all your steakhouse favorites and is open for dinner. Bring your appetite because the food here is great! I think this is also the hardest reservation to get. They have a la carte pricing.
Bayamo: Bayamo is a Latin restaurant that offers dinner. Bayamo and Pancho are created by Chef Jose Garces. You may know him as an iron chef on The Food Network. Try some of his delicious Latin food created for the Norwegian Escape. This location has a la carte pricing and if you are on the specialty dining package there is a $15 surcharge as well.
Tips
When boarding the ship you will have options to eat at the complementary locations Garden Cafe, O’Sheehan’s, Taste and Savor. My personal favorite is O’Sheehan’s. I find the buffet area chaotic the first day and Taste and Savor are good but would take too long for my kids that are itching to get to the action. O’Sheehan’s is a good compromise for us.
For breakfast, if we don’t have a morning excursion, we prefer Taste or Savor for a nice breakfast. O’Sheehan’s is good too but has a smaller menu. I like to enjoy my breakfast with a pot of coffee (my husband gets a pot of tea) and have some fruit, bakery items, and then our main breakfast instead of running around the buffet. Just personal preference though.
Room service is offered 24/7 but there is a $7.95 surcharge. If you have an early excursion it could be worth it to just have it delivered but its not something we do often.
Kids can order off the children’s menu or adult’s menu at the complementary locations. At the specialty restaurants they can order off the children’s menu for free if they are 12 and under or pay the a la carte pricing. The children’s menu is the same at every location though.
If you have a reservation they will hold it for 15 minutes but if you don’t show up you will be charged the cover charge or a fee so be sure to keep your reservations or change them.
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