KimS Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 So, got a suite for our anniversary & figured we’d probably eat dinner at The Coastal Kitchen, so many have said they’re much better than MDR , Windjammer & right there with the Specialty Restraunt’s. But then read some thought the CK was just so-so. Would love to get as many opinions to those who have been to them all! We don’t go til Aug.but trying to plan ahead. Thanks ahead for ANY help KimS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristiZ Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 What ship will you be on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 @KimS, I can speak to Anthem and Freedom, if either one helps; only Anthem has a CK out of those two, but I did Chef's Table on Freedom so I figure it helps complete the picture. I've dined in Wonderland, Izumi (Anthem's is sushi only, no hibachi), CK, MDR, and did Chef's Table once. Chef's Table blows everything away, and if you're doing a milestone anniversary sailing I can't recommend it enough. But, it's not cheap and not covered by any dining plan, so it's generally something you just once per cruise. Wonderland and Izumi on Anthem were both good, but not stellar IMO. I was actually disappointed with the quality of the tuna when I went to Izumi, but it's possible that it's because I went on Day 4 of our sailing and the ship's stores were starting to get old. Were they worth the price of admission? I'd say yes for Wonderland since I bought it in the Cruise Planner and saved vs. buying on board, not so much for Izumi (though I will be having lunch there again, just will try something different). CK was, IMO, better than both Wonderland and Izumi, and blew the MDR out of the water. A big thing to know about CK is that they have their own dedicated kitchen, and everything you order is actually cooked to order, not mass-cooked for the 20 or 30 people who ordered the same entree as you like in the MDR. Nothing sits under a heat lamp waiting for staff to pick it up, it's all delivered the moment it's plated. So my ranking from best to worst (and worst is not bad by any stretch) is: Chef's Table CK Wonderland Izumi MDR KimS, 12thman and rjac 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 My opinion of the Coastal Kitchen is that it is the environment and the service, if not necessarily the food, that makes it superior to the large scale venues like the MDR and/or WJ. This is especially true on the Oasis class ships as the CK has such a spectacular view and ambiance. The food is good...but not great, IMO. On the Quantum class ships CK is not quite as impressive as it is smaller, darker and much less festive than on the O class, but still very good. I will say, however, that the filet at the CK was the best on the ship, IMO. I have found this to be true on both the Anthem and the Oasis class ships. If you are a steak lover, be sure you eat at the CK on the night that they serve the filet. I have never had the rib eye, but have heard it is also very good. The CK is much more sedate, quiet and enjoyable and that makes it so much more enjoyable. For breakfast, you can't beat it. The dinners are very good. It is certainly a step up from the MDR, no doubt about that. RWDW1204, 12thman and KimS 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
925inPA Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 28 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: My opinion of the Coastal Kitchen is that it is the environment and the service, if not necessarily the food, that makes it superior to the large scale venues like the MDR and/or WJ. This is especially true on the Oasis class ships as the CK has such a spectacular view and ambiance. The food is good...but not great, IMO. On the Quantum class ships CK is not quite as impressive as it is smaller, darker and much less festive than on the O class, but still very good. I will say, however, that the filet at the CK was the best on the ship, IMO. I have found this to be true on both the Anthem and the Oasis class ships. If you are a steak lover, be sure you eat at the CK on the night that they serve the filet. I have never had the rib eye, but have heard it is also very good. The CK is much more sedate, quiet and enjoyable and that makes it so much more enjoyable. For breakfast, you can't beat it. The dinners are very good. It is certainly a step up from the MDR, no doubt about that. Do you have thoughts on the specialty restaurants, (Jamies, Chops, etc) versus Coastal? KimS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 Food is subjective but in general terms I find CK between MDR and specialty. Some CK items are better than speciality and some remain between MDR and specialty but that too is highly subjective. KimS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 1 hour ago, 925inPA said: Do you have thoughts on the specialty restaurants, (Jamies, Chops, etc) versus Coastal? We always enjoy the specialty restaurants. Have we ever had a really bad meal at a specialty ? Yes - Wonderland. Have we ever had a really bad meal in the MDR ? Yes. Have we ever had a really bad meal in the CK ? Yes. That being said, we have had extraordinary meals in all 3, also. Personally, I prefer Giovanni’s to Jamie’s (and Portofino’s....long gone, was better than any of them !). We almost always have a very predictably good meal at Chops and have never been disappointed in Izumi. We truly dislike Wonderland but absolutely love Hooked. RWDW1204 and KimS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 Part of what you pay for is the ambiance. Most specialty venues have the feel of restaurant like at home compared to the hotel catered mass meal feel of the MDR. KimS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 Does anyone know how far in advance you can book your dinner reservations for Coastal Kitchen in the cruise planner? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted July 7, 2019 Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 Just now, BB1 said: Does anyone know how far in advance you can book your dinner reservations for Coastal Kitchen in the cruise planner? Thanks. Often you can't. Once in a while someone will have success where it seems to be bookable for a short spell before it isn't again. I've never been so lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimS Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 11 hours ago, KristiZ said: What ship will you be on? Symphony of the Seas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimS Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 7 hours ago, 925inPA said: Do you have thoughts on the specialty restaurants, (Jamies, Chops, etc) versus Coastal? I wanted to know the same thing! Thanks…... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimS Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 3 hours ago, twangster said: Often you can't. Once in a while someone will have success where it seems to be bookable for a short spell before it isn't again. I've never been so lucky. I've had a horrible time trying to book Coastal, or most the time any Speciality restaurants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimS Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 Thanks to everyone for helping me decide I had reservations for the 2nd night ( our anniversary ) at Cho ups because we like lobster tails. Didn't want the big Maine lobster….. thinking the tails would be better? Maybe just used to getting the tails, easier! But….. now see that at Hooked you can get the Surf & Turf- lobster tail…. & gonna change to Hooked if possible, & ask for 2 tails instead of the filet & tail. Wish me luck as I wish all you guys luck making reservations! They really need to fix that in the site. Happy Cruising to all, KimS PS: I'm sure I'll be asking more questions, lol……. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted July 8, 2019 Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 If you have a Grand suite or higher, the Concierge will email you the week before you leave. You can give them your requests and they will make the reservations for you. The only time Coastal Kitchen would be a problem is for dinner and you can tell them the times and days you want. I thought that it was also possible to make reservations yourself but according to Twangster, I was wrong. It might be a good idea to make the specialty restaurant reservations in advance yourself though since they will be cheaper and could fill up. KimS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimS Posted July 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2019 Thanks BB1! I booked the Hooked restaurant to get the lobster tails 2, instead of the surf & turf— just gonna try to get 2 tails! Yep, that Coastal Kitchen should be on their app. Think I’ll use that number to call to reserve Coastal, just to be safe I even booked Flight & Hairspray on the 2 sea days, even though suites have reserved seats, saw they both were on at 3:30. Thanks for your advise WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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