Expectations are high when you board a Celebrity Cruise. Magic Carpet can offer a next-level dining and drinking experience, while Martini Her Bar rocks the bubbly good times, while other restaurants captivate with stories. Some guests escape to the sweetness of Eden, but Le Petit Chef is far from child’s play. The chef may be petite, but his French flavor is immense.
The rise of ‘eatertainment’ has impacted much of what we eat on cruise ships. Specialty dining keeps guests away from the main dining room, but tempting flavors aren’t the only thing that draws people to the table. It’s a whole experience that starts with being seated at a table. The atmosphere sets the tone. As each course unfolds, the story blends the food on the plate with the journey the diners are encouraged to take.
At Le Petit Chef on Celebrity Cruises, the prix fixe multi-course menu focuses on French cuisine. Semi-traditional French fare might be a bit expected, but it’s the presentation that adds a touch of quirkiness to the familiar dishes. Many people may have prepared short ribs in different ways, but Le Petit Chef’s story of how and why the dish comes to the plate makes it all the more delicious.
Le Petit Chef, Celebrity Cruises Beyond, photo credit: Cristine Struble
Overall, French cuisine delivers what it promises. From the flaky pastry with juicy tomatoes and tangy goat cheese to the final course with a rich chocolate he dessert, the meal is delightful. Additionally, wine pairings with each course highlight the flavors of each dish. Prefix menu but with some alternatives. The taste may not be surprising, but it is quite satisfying.
The name and some of the website images might make this restaurant look more childish, but it’s not that simple. It’s the story behind how and why our carefully curated meals come together.
This experience relies on the carefully choreographed entire restaurant, so this Celebrity Cruises dining experience may not be ideal for an intimate, romantic dinner. But for those who want a little fun, and those who truly appreciate the art of perfecting the visuals and flavors of a dish, this story-forward restaurant is worth a reservation.
A big benefit of my experience at Le Petit Chef is the knowledge I gain through storytelling. No one expects a cartoon chef to be able to change the way guests approach dining in his own kitchen, but he’s one of the unlikely perks of dining at this cruise ship restaurant. One. Even if one chooses to add colorful ingredients to the dish on a light brown plate, the experience does its job. That “wonderFULL” journey should continue even after guests disembark from the cruise ship.
Le Petit Chef Restaurant is available on Millennium and Solstice Series Celebrity Cruise ships. The 4-course dinner is part of specialty dining and reservations are required.
