Dinner at Palo is infused
with that certain giddiness that only
comes when adults feel like they’re
playing hooky.
The
reason is simple. Palo is the adults-only
restaurant on the Disney Cruise Line ships.
Perched high above the array of Disney
activities on the lower decks, and with
spectacular panoramic ocean views, walking
into the peace and tranquility of Palo
is an instant massage for the senses.
As the brochure says, there’s not
a highchair in sight.
We were unreasonably excited
about dinner at Palo on the last night
of our 4-night cruise to the Bahamas.
The previous evening meals had been spent
exploring the other not-only-adults restaurants.
Plenty of highchairs in sight. The food
had been fine, if not exceptional. Although
we ordered from menus those nights, we
got the distinct impression that there
was just a buffet in the kitchen, where
plates had been assembled some time earlier.
The one really fun dinner had been at
Animator’s Palate, the restaurant
that transforms itself from black and
white to full color as the meal progresses.
Courtesy of Disney magic and animation,
we were completely swept away in our own
nostalgia and the contagious excitement
of all the kids. A couple of bottles of
Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape
didn’t hurt matters!
Speaking of wine, the cruise
line’s wine program is coming along.
The same core list is available in all
the restaurants and includes plenty of
appealing choices at completely reasonable
prices. The Mont Redon at $47, Gallo of
Sonoma Chardonnay Russian River at $22,
Brancott Sauvignon Blanc at $29, La Crema
Pinot Noir at $34, and so on. Admirable
pricing, considering the captive audience!
Additionally, the cruise
offers wine packages – a "classic"
package that includes 4 bottles (theoretically
one for every night of the cruise) for
$89, and a "premium" package
at $149. Both packages allow you to carry-over
bottles (or what’s left in a bottle)
to the next night, etc. They’re good
deals for wine novices who don’t
mind the more limited selections than
are reflected on the main wine list.
But back to Palo. Palo has
it’s own Reserve wine list, from
which we relished every drop of a bottle
of 1999 Sassicaia, priced at just
$149 (suggested retail is $170). A little
decanting, a little patience, and a great
reward.
This legendary wine proved
a worthy partner for Palo’s Northern
Italian cuisine – prepared to order
in the open kitchen. (Another wave of
that giddiness at the sight of an open
kitchen!) After nibbling on the complimentary
antipasti, we started with the Grilled
Portobello Mushroom served over polenta
and slathered in a rich roasted shallot
and parmesan sauce. The house salad
features assorted greens in an intensely
rich balsamic dressing. Entrees included
a tender filet of beef topped with Gorgonzola
sauce, an earthy mushroom risotto, and
a pan-seared veal loin with wild mushroom
sauce.
We ended the meal, relaxed
and supremely satisfied, with one of
the best chocolate soufflés in the history
of chocolate soufflés. Densely chocolately
and perfectly airy, with your choice of
chocolate or vanilla sauce. We chose both.
And we’d do it again!
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder
and Disney Magic
Call 1-888-DCL 2500 for more information
www.disneycruise.com
