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Innovative Dining Experiences Proposed for Celebrity Solstice

By Robert Yost, Associate Editor CruiseGourmet.com Magazine

New York - At an elegant press event hosted at Per Se at the Time Warner Center in New York City, Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO of Celebrity, presented the new restaurants and dining experience on Celebrity’s newest addition to the fleet. The Solstice, due to set sail in December, will feature 10 uniquely different dining venues providing plenty of options for her approximately 2,800 guests.

Mr. Hanrahan explained Celebrity continues to partner with some of the most influential people in the restaurant business to create the stunning dining options onboard the Solstice. Top restaurant designer, Adam Tihany, who created Per Se, Jean Georges, and Le Cirque in New York, along with Aureole and Bouchon in Las Vegas has worked his magic on this new ship. On the Solstice, Mr. Tihany has designed the Grand Epernay main dining room, Tuscan Grille steakhouse and the Ocean View café on the Lido deck. The Grand Epernay will have a two-story wine tower, similar to what Mr. Tihany designed for Aureole in Las Vegas.

The new menus are being designed by Jacques Van Staden, the line’s vice president of food & beverage, in concert with culinary consultant Blau & Associates. Restaurant wizard, Elizabeth Blau was on hand to describe their efforts — it is clear they are in touch with every detail influencing the onboard dining experience — even square as opposed to round dishes in the Grand Epernay dining room!

The dining options on the Celebrity Solstice include the main dining room called the Grand Epernay, which will feature French style cuisine; Tuscan Grille, a steakhouse with Mediterranean and Napa Valley influences; Silk Harvest, an Asian specialty restaurant; Blu, which is for the sole use of AquaClass guests and features healthy fare; Murano, offering classic and innovative continental cuisine; Bistro on Five, a casual experience where guests can eat in or ‘take out’ sandwiches; Café al Bacio & Gelateria, an upscale coffee house that Chef Van Staden compared to the widely popular NM Cafes in Neiman Marcus stores throughout the U.S.; AquaSpa café, which will feature a spa menu of lighter fare; Mast Grill & Bar, which will offer comfort food by the pool; and the Oceanview Cafe and Grill with ‘action’ food stations that promise to be a completely new approach to the traditional cruise buffet.

Just when we thought we had seen it all when it comes to dining on a cruise ship, Celebrity does it again!

For more information, call 800-437-3111 or visit www. Celebritycruises.com