The Food Post

 Everyone's favourite! And this time a little different as we could try the new menu at the Osteria d'Ovidio and have a longer look at Beefbar. 

Osteria d'Ovidio

The changes made here since the partnership with the Alajmo Brothers have been nothing short of spectacular. There were people who absolutely despised the original Osteria after Crystal's relaunch, but then it wasn't anything like the American Italian style of the old Prego. The new menus are authentic Italian, reflecting both northern and southern cuisines, and even offer a tasting menu that pulls from both regions.

On our first visit, we tried the tasting menu and couldn't even get to the end of it. On our second dinner, we each chose a couple of courses and left room for the Tiramisu prepared tableside.

Fettucine alla carbonara

Lasagnetta, mini lasagne with a little more
crunch from the homemade pasta

Parmigiana de Melanzana - my favourite egglplant
parmigiana. It was so tasty, too!

Beef Tartare with Black Truffles - sort of
deconstructed, and the truffle shavings are immense

The Venetian Fish Fry - shrimp, fish, a little beer
and salad all at once

Branzino - sea bass. One of my all-time favourites
on a lemon potato puree

A special of the evening - homemade fettucine
with bolognese

Preparation of the tiramisu at the table includes
ladyfingers made on board, a dip in fresh pressed coffee,
mascarpone layers and a good sprinkle of cocoa on top!

As I look back over the menu while writing this post, I'm already looking forward to our next cruise, where we will have unlimited access to the specialty restaurants....I think we'll be here more than just twice!

Beefbar

We had a couple of opportunities to check out Beefbar on our previous cruise, but it was so short that I think we only had one lunch and one dinner. We've been there about three times for lunch and once for dinner so far. Our second meal will be with our friends Jim and Steve when they visit on the 29th.

The menu here isn't huge, and it varies between lunch and dinner. The servings are a good size but, unless you buy the extra cost large Wagyu steaks, not so much that you walk away stuffed. The special touch is that everything on the menu will have some amount of beef in it, sometimes very subtle, but always there. Vegans and vegetarians beware!

Super Kale Salad - delicious with avocado, tomatoes,
anchovies and parmesan cheese. A sort of Caesar
Salad without the Romaine

Beef Tartare and Tartine

The Iconic pizza - personal size with a very
light crust. This one has arugula, truffles
and parmesan cheese. There's a touch
 of beef in there somewhere!

Bao Buns - with Jasmine tea smoked
Wagyu beef

The Beefy Pepperoni Pizza made with
Wagyu Beef Pepperoni

Umami Caesar Salad, very tasty with the
crunch Kobe karasumi on top

I also ordered the Ginger Sea Bream beside the salad but forgot
to take a photo of it. Here's a shot of the
restaurant instead!

Again, we're looking forward to trying more of the options, although we still have that one more dinner before we leave the ship on Tuesday.

Waterside, Umi Uma and the Trident Grill haven't changed much since last time, and there were no special meals served like the Omakase Dinner in July.

One thing that is great about Crystal is that if you have a special request, everyone does their best to bring it to you. I only drink sparkling water after dinner, and I ask for it in a Gin and Tonic bowl glass with whatever garnishes the barkeeps have at hand. They now try to outdo each other, and the drinks look so good that I have people asking what is in my glass!

One of the offerings at the Crystal Cove.

That's a good look at the specialty restaurant food we had on this cruise. Hope you enjoyed it! Oh, I may have to update this post with a couple of photos from Scoops. It used to be the ice cream bar, but now that Crystal has a partnership with an Italian family gelateria, it serves the best gelato!